ohn Scofield in addition to Bill Frisell, 2 of the most distinctive guitarists of the 1990s (they previously fronted Marc Johnson's band Bass Desires,) squad upward on this quartet engagement amongst bassist Charlie Haden in addition to drummer Joey Baron. While Scofield contributed all x originals, Frisell amongst his broad multifariousness of sounds in addition to eccentric solos oft comes closed to stealing the demonstrate altogether. Five of the x numbers add together a three-piece brass department for color. The interplay betwixt the 2 rattling unlike yet complementary guitarists is notable.
Fantastic John Scofield set. This was my get-go John Scofield buy later having had some exposure to him past times agency of Jaco Pastorius' instructional bass video in addition to John Patitucci's solo album Sketchbook.
Overall, I mean value this is a fantastic album. John's writing is sometimes traditional, sometimes clever -- the opening track, "You Bet," is the get-go vocal I mean value I would ever depict every bit 'fun' -- but ever smart in addition to construct clean in addition to slow to follow in addition to nous to.
I instruct the thought that John was thinking exterior of the box on this album, owing to his having Bill Frisell (guitar), Charlie Haden (bass) in addition to Joey Baron (drums) dorsum him, along amongst a modest brass department on a few of the tunes. These guys each convey their ain distinctive styles to the tabular array in addition to the upshot is a smorgasbord of rich sonic textures in addition to unabashed musical adventure.
For those familiar amongst John's move earlier or later this disc, the music may surprise you. The get-go 3 numbers are fairly straightforward in addition to are pretty much right away ahead jazz, but gears chop-chop shift when nosotros make "Scenes From H5N1 Marriage." Once the caput is stated, Charlie in addition to Joey boot into overdrive in addition to John simply goes amongst the period of time in addition to keeps correct upward amongst them fifty-fifty though he likely has no thought where they may live going. John wraps upward his solo in addition to Bill takes the cake past times beautifully playing a variation on the primary subject piece Charlie in addition to Joey switch to a to a greater extent than complimentary jazz backing.
Then Bill stomps on the gas in addition to switches to his distorted audio in addition to provides his ain loops inward the background. He gets crazy amongst the subject in addition to thus brings it dorsum downwards a notch past times providing an ethereal ambience piece John restates the head. Charlie in addition to Joey thus interruption off to create some complimentary jazz in addition to thus the whole gang comes dorsum inward to roll the melody up.
"Twang" is a blues-inflected swinger in addition to "Pat Me" -- a nod to Pat Metheny -- gives Bill the adventure to showcase his acoustic skills. "Pretty Out" is musical mayhem waiting to move on in addition to Bill sure as shooting doesn't disappoint on this tune, either. This song, however, may article of apparel on some people in addition to fifty-fifty John has a difficult fourth dimension getting the residue of the guys dorsum on the same canvass to restate the head. They lastly create it in addition to Bill's ending loop -- which fades out to halt the rail -- is pic perfect in addition to is wonderfully accentuated past times Charlie's unchractersically laid-back bass amongst John's overchorused chords floating higher upward them both. The mental pic I instruct simply from the audio of it is similar picking upward a far-away radio broadcast amongst an former transistor radio.
Up adjacent is "Bill Me" in addition to gives Bill some room to stretch out. After that is "Same Axe." It's a curt melody built some a typically Scofield A-A-B-A riff in addition to both guitarists solo simultaneously earlier restating the caput in addition to ending the tune. "Unique New York" is the quietest melody of the bunch -- in addition to the entirely 1 amongst a tongue-twister every bit a championship -- in addition to every bit the closing vocal on the album, it's definitely inward abrupt contrast to most of the residue of the tunes inward this set, variety of similar a sonic sorbet to cleanse the palate.
All inward all, I mean value this a classic disc. While John most seems to live overshadowed past times the likes of Bill in addition to Charlie at times, amongst their preponderance for running out into left field, he manages to rein them inward when needed in addition to is really pushed past times their musical experimentation to endeavor some novel in addition to unlike materials himself.
A must-have for either the serious Scofield fan or the serious Frisell fan.
I'm surprised that at that topographic point are entirely a handful of reviews here. In my opinion, Scofield's CDs of the early on 90s volition someday live considered jazz classics. ("Time on My Hands", "Meant to Be", "What We Do", in addition to this one.) The writing is top-notch, original, in addition to quite oft brilliant. The playing is inspired, cohesive, in addition to virtuosic. The line-ups are amazing. On this album, Bill Frissell is simply the perfect complement to Scofield's playing -- smoothen to Sco's angular. His solo on "You Bet" is 1 of those rare pieces of improvisation that sounds really composed. Charlie Haden is, well, Charlie Haden. Superb. Joey Baron, on drums, is a cracking alternative to mucilage together these quirky tunes in addition to musicians -- he's a very, rattling interesting (and excellent) player. Scofield is, every bit usual, totally inward the pocket.
The tunes hither are, to live honest, non overall my favorite of Scofield's. "You Bet" is brilliant; "Bill Me" every bit well. Sco's foray into horn arrangements is a dainty touch, but strikes me every bit experimental here, in addition to overlayed rather than integral. (A chip tenuous, too, come upward to mean value of it.) I mean value he's at his best when he's to a greater extent than minimal inward his arrangements.
If you're non familiar amongst Scofield's move of the early on 90s, cheque out "Time on My Hands", in addition to if yous similar that, definitely give this album a spin.
Track listing
All tracks composed past times John Scofield
"You Bet"
"Grace Under Pressure"
"Honest I Do"
"Scenes From H5N1 Marriage"
"Twang"
"Pat Me"
"Pretty Out"
"Bill Me"
"Same Axe"
"Unique New York"
Personnel
John Scofield - electrical guitar
Bill Frisell - electrical & acoustic guitars
Charlie Haden - bass
Joey Baron - drums
On 3,5,6,8,10:
Randy Brecker - flugelhorn
Jim Pugh - trombone
John Clark - French horn
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