JOHN SCOFIELD - Country For Old Men
Impulse Records
John Scofield (gtr,s) Larry Goldings (pno/organ) Steve Swallow (bs) Bill Stewart (drs)
John Scofield, surly one of the most recorded jazz guitarists of the modern era, has finally gone back to his roots with an album made up totally of blues and country orientated numbers. He has however used a stellar group of musicians from the very highest echelons of jazz to accompany him. The leader himself, a graduate from Berklee, cut his early teeth on recordings by Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan before lending his unique guitar sound to groups led by George Duke, Billy Cobham and many other top flight leaders. The wider jazz public became more fully aware of him during Miles electric renascence of the early eighties on the albums "Decoy", "Star People" and the never to be forgotten "Your'e Under Arrest". Since 1978 the guitarist has led or co-led 46 albums of his own, while appearing on very many others and touring on average over 200 days a year.
As you would expect from the four "A" lister's playing on this album the standard is of the very highest order but if you know the leaders work you cannot help but be surprised at the playing style, although the clues are all in the song titles and identity of the composers. You are at first lulled into an early false sense of security by the melodic and lush tones of George Jones "Mr Fool", the reason being that the lengthy "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" from the pen of Hank Williams is up next and used solely for an extravagant up tempo guitar improvisation over comping organ and busy rhythm right back in the style you normally find on recent John Scofield albums. Many of the other Country/Blues numbers follow a similar pattern to the opener with the rounded wholesome guitar progressions played over a tight trio. The traditional songs "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Red River Valley" retain their down home feel with telling contributions from Larry Golding's piano. There are three highlights that rise above the norm' on this session, "Bartenders Blues" from the great James Taylor is a superb rendering of the tune full of deep feeling and fine interplay between all members. Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried" with great piano, full of propulsion and optimism makes a compulsive listen, and "Jolene", one of Dolly Parton's best, converts very well to a more jazz influenced rendering.
All in all this is a fine album from a master guitarist, breaking ground he has not touched for some years.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
Impulse Records
John Scofield (gtr,s) Larry Goldings (pno/organ) Steve Swallow (bs) Bill Stewart (drs)
John Scofield, surly one of the most recorded jazz guitarists of the modern era, has finally gone back to his roots with an album made up totally of blues and country orientated numbers. He has however used a stellar group of musicians from the very highest echelons of jazz to accompany him. The leader himself, a graduate from Berklee, cut his early teeth on recordings by Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan before lending his unique guitar sound to groups led by George Duke, Billy Cobham and many other top flight leaders. The wider jazz public became more fully aware of him during Miles electric renascence of the early eighties on the albums "Decoy", "Star People" and the never to be forgotten "Your'e Under Arrest". Since 1978 the guitarist has led or co-led 46 albums of his own, while appearing on very many others and touring on average over 200 days a year.
As you would expect from the four "A" lister's playing on this album the standard is of the very highest order but if you know the leaders work you cannot help but be surprised at the playing style, although the clues are all in the song titles and identity of the composers. You are at first lulled into an early false sense of security by the melodic and lush tones of George Jones "Mr Fool", the reason being that the lengthy "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" from the pen of Hank Williams is up next and used solely for an extravagant up tempo guitar improvisation over comping organ and busy rhythm right back in the style you normally find on recent John Scofield albums. Many of the other Country/Blues numbers follow a similar pattern to the opener with the rounded wholesome guitar progressions played over a tight trio. The traditional songs "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Red River Valley" retain their down home feel with telling contributions from Larry Golding's piano. There are three highlights that rise above the norm' on this session, "Bartenders Blues" from the great James Taylor is a superb rendering of the tune full of deep feeling and fine interplay between all members. Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried" with great piano, full of propulsion and optimism makes a compulsive listen, and "Jolene", one of Dolly Parton's best, converts very well to a more jazz influenced rendering.
All in all this is a fine album from a master guitarist, breaking ground he has not touched for some years.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
