Credits:

John Scofield

Description:

John Scofield's first ECM leader album, a trio recording celebrating the music of his friend/mentor Steve Swallow, with whom he has played in various bands over the past 40 years since meeting at age 20 as a student at Berklee. Veteran guitarist John Scofield, who has recorded for various jazz labels including Enja, Impulse, Blue Note, Verve, Emarcy, and Gramavision, makes his first ECM leader release.Although not a leader, he has played lead guitar with Bill Frisell on two ECM albums, "Bass Desires" (1985) and "Second Sight" (1987), both fronted by Mark Johnson's Bass Desires Group, Mark Johnson's third album "Shades of Jade" (2004) with his good friend and bandmate Joe Lovano, and the live double disc "Saudades" (2004) with Jack DeJohnette and Larry Goldings. (2004) as a member of Trio Beyond with Jack DeJohnette, Larry Goldings, and others. I love these songs," Scofield asserts. The album is an all-Steve Swallow affair, with a wide range of songs that include standards as well as lesser-known material.The strength of the relationship between Scofield and Swallow is evident at every moment, as Scofield says, "Sometimes when we play together it seems like a big guitar, like the bass and my guitar parts come together. Bill Stuart, who has been with Scofield's band since 1990, plays drums. Stuart pays attention to every detail of the interaction: "What Bill does is more than just play drums. He is a melodic voice in music, playing counterpoint, comping, and even swinging hard. These two Giants bring out the best in me." He says. As for Swallow's compositions, Scofield says, "They make the perfect vehicle for improvisation. Changes are always interesting, but actually not very interesting! They are rhythms that make sense and are grounded in reality. They are never mere intellectual exercises, but very melodic. They are not "tunes," they are all "songs." They are all things that can be sung.

Tracklisting:

1.She Was Young
2.Falling Grace
3.Pourtsmouth
4.Awful Coffee
5.Eiderdown
6.Hullo Bolinas
7.Away
8.In F
9.Radio