John Scofield

Martin · September-27th-2003, 11:16 AM

Can anyone provide any details on a John Scofield CD entitled "Live, Three Ways"? Some months ago I came across the item in the net. The disc was supposed to be out in June 2003 on a spin-off label of Blue Note (?) and was to contain live tracks from the 1980s.

I have no idea about recording details/personnel and even am not sure if it has been released at all. At least German online stores seemingly do not have it in stock.

Aggie87 · September-29th-2003, 06:59 AM

Martin -
Live Three Ways was originally a John Scofield video release in 1990. It included 3 different lineups (B-3 trio, duet with Dr. John, and a quartet with Lovano).

It was announced back in June or so that this was coming out again, but there was no clear indication whether it was a re-release of the video, or a cd release of the music itself. But it was listed on CDUniverse.com back then, so I ordered it, even though it said "backordered". They finally emailed me and told me that the release date had been postponed by the manufacturer. I don't know if this means it will eventually show up, or if it's gone for good.

-Erik

Martin · September-29th-2003, 08:00 AM

Besten Dank für die Antwort, Erik, your reply leaves nothing to be asked!

José Domingos Raffaelli · May-16th-2005, 01:40 PM

Please, I need an information about the John Scofield Trio.
The group is coming to play here in Rio de Janeiro but nobody knows who are his bassist and drummer. Does anyone know this information ?

Thanks a lot.

gnhrtg · May-16th-2005, 01:44 PM

Don't know for sure, but on the most recent album, En Route, it's Steve Swallow on bass and Bill Stewart on drums. It was also that line-up when I saw them sometime last year in Norway, at the Kongsberg Jazz Festival.

Doc Martin · May-16th-2005, 01:51 PM

The show in Rio de Janeiro at Mistura Fina, will be Steve Swallow on bass and Bill Stewart on drums. Link below

http://www.johnscofield.com/tour.html

Squaredancecalling Steve · May-16th-2005, 01:57 PM

I saw Scofield's 4tet last year at Yoshi's, with the lineup from the Up All Night album, rhythm guitarist Avi Bortnick, drummer Adam Deitch, and bassist Andy Hess.

gonzo · May-17th-2005, 05:28 AM

and did you enjoy them squaredance?

José Domingos Raffaelli · May-18th-2005, 02:04 PM

Thanks folks. It is confirmed: Scofield, Steve Swallow and Bill Stewart. They will play in the Rio das Ostras Festival (a resort in the Rio de Janeiro State) and then at the Mistura Fina, the finest Rio's jazz club.

Steve Swallow played here last year with the Bobby Previte combo. His first time in Rio was with Stan Getz in 1965. In the nineteens he played in the Campos do Jordão Festival (in the São Paulo State) with Carla Bley, so this will be his fourth time in Brasil.

Thanks.

Squaredancecalling Steve · May-18th-2005, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo

and did you enjoy them squaredance?

Oh, yeah! Jam band Deluxe! I really dig that Up All Night album, too.

BlueMiles · November-2nd-2006, 04:09 PM

There doesn't seem to be a thread on Scofield, which surprises me. He has certainly been a vital force in jazz for quite some time, and he sure knows how to mix it up. I never did catch on much to his early work (except with Miles), but he put together a nice run on Blue Note, and the Verve work is not too shabby either. There are a number of funky, fusion-esque CDs out there, such as "Uber Jam," the Ray Charles album, and a couple of meetings with Medeski, Martin, and Wood. The Trio Beyond double CD (which I don't have) seems to be a mix of both styles.

I have gone mostly with his more straightahead work, such as the meetings with Lovano (especially "Time on My Hands"), "Grace Under Pressure," and the fine trio album "En Route." As a sideman, he's on the recent Marc Johnson album, and he provided superb playing on a couple of Joe Henderson albums.

I like Scofield a good deal, though curiously much of his stuff doesn't really stick in my head. I think I have ten CDs by him and several sideman appearances. I'm about ready to put together my custom Scofield playlist on my computer. Any recommendations are welcome.

Tom Storer · November-2nd-2006, 04:18 PM

Give his pre-Miles stuff another try. Interesting Steeplechases with Dave Liebman et al; also his Enja trio albums with Swallow and Adam Nussbaum are very good. And "En Route," the latest by his trio with Swallow and Bill Stewart.

Vince Kargatis · November-2nd-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMiles

As a sideman, he's on the recent Marc Johnson album

You're not allowed to forgo mention of the Bass Desires group (20 not so recent years ago).

groover · November-2nd-2006, 04:24 PM

"Hand Jive" with Eddie Harris features some of Sco's catchiest compositions.

BlueMiles · November-2nd-2006, 04:32 PM

I do have that first Bass Desires album. Some very cool stuff on there, including the Coltrane piece ("Pursuance"?)

jaka · November-2nd-2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groover

"Hand Jive" with Eddie Harris features some of Sco's catchiest compositions.

Hand Jive rules.

And Bass Desires.

They will play in Paris next february. Already bought my tickets.

Nim Chimpsky · November-2nd-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

You're not allowed to forgo mention of the Bass Desires group (20 not so recent years ago).

Does anyone know anything about the reunion? Are they going to record?
Jaka, I hope it doesn't sell out, I'm still thinking of going to that.
BlueMiles, check out Second Sight, it's better.

jaka · November-2nd-2006, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nim Chimpsky

Does anyone know anything about the reunion? Are they going to record?

Up two posts for at least 1 tour info.

EDIT: And the rest.

jaka · November-2nd-2006, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nim Chimpsky

Jaka, I hope it doesn't sell out, I'm still thinking of going to that.

If you want me to get tickets at one point, don't hesitate to let me know. And anyway, it will be at "le Chatelet" and I kind of have acquaintances there, so ask anyway even if it sells out.

°°°°°°°

Thinking of it (the thread), I remember the date with Metheny (and Swallow/Stewart again) to be a pretty good one, though I don't listen to it often.

And from the earlier ones on Grammavision, Still Warm works for me every time.

BlueMiles · November-2nd-2006, 05:53 PM

I'm not too surprised by the Bass Desires reunion. Scofield and Frisell (as well as guys like Joe Lovano) are so good at taking on multiple projects, yet also manage to maintain partnerships from the past and bring groups back (if only briefly).

Tom Marcello · November-2nd-2006, 07:02 PM

This one is a great one:

TOMMY SMITH: BLUE SMITH
LINN RECORDS, AKD 110(CD)

Tommy Smith - tenor & soprano saxophone
John Scofield - electric guitar
James Genus - acoustic bass
Clarence Penn - drums

Dr Dave · November-2nd-2006, 07:16 PM

After all these years, the Enja dates are still the ones that knock me out. "Holidays" on Out Like A Light remains a favorite: a fusion of jazz, country, and Bach that sounds completely natural.

Somewhere I have a homemade recording of Bass Desires at the RegattaBar in Cambridge, MA, probably from 1987 or so...I should go dig it out...

I was never happy with his reliance on the chorus effect, and his Fusion excursions ("Loud Jazz" and "Still Warm" come to mind) didn't kill me, but there's no getting around it: He's one of the most distinctive--and most imitated--voices on the electric jazz guitar.

Vince Kargatis · November-2nd-2006, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

He's one of the most distinctive--and most imitated--voices on the electric jazz guitar.

? I dig Scofield, and agree he's distinctive, but have never heard any imitators (i.e. those I think sound like him).

A Bass Desires reunion? News to me, but man, a DID group for me. Love that combo.

Jazzooo · November-3rd-2006, 02:41 AM

I sure don't hear a lot of people imitating him either.

I think his guitar playing is fantastic and unusual, but I respond even more to his composing chops. Such incredible ballads. I think Grace Under Pressure (with Bill Frisell) and I Can See Your House From Here (with metheny) are two of my favorites, but I also love En Route, Hand Jive, Groove Elation (with Idris Muhammed) and a few cuts off of Blue Matter. I love his horn arranging--I can recognize his voicings a mile away.

Jazzooo · November-3rd-2006, 02:42 AM

I can also honestly say that I've never heard anything with MMW that truly grabbed me. I like his other rhythm sections a lot more.

Nim Chimpsky · November-3rd-2006, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

A Bass Desires reunion? News to me, but man, a DID group for me. Love that combo.

Vince, it's just 5 dates in France, Denmark and Italy over one week next February. I was wondering if Marc Johnson has some gambling debts or wants to have an extension put on his house.

http://www.erjn.it/saudades/concerts.htm#desires

Jaka, thanks for the kind offer. I've just started a new job and it's tough to know whether I'll be able to get the time off.

BlueMiles · November-3rd-2006, 02:45 PM

Can't say I'm much into the new Marc Johnson album, with Scofield on most of the tracks (Lovano is here too). In fact, I'm less impressed the more I listen. This has way too much of the quiet/sleepy ECM vibe.

Vince Kargatis · November-3rd-2006, 02:56 PM

Huh, I really like that Johnson album, perhaps for the reasons you dislike it - I think it really captures a particularly pleasant mood and tone.

BlueMiles · November-7th-2006, 03:24 PM

Maybe I should dig into it (M. Johsnon) some more. I liked a few tracks initially, then the whole thing started striking me as too sleepy.

ribot_for_president · November-7th-2006, 04:05 PM

In fact, I'm less impressed the more I listen. This has way too much of the quiet/sleepy ECM vibe.

Agreed. I far prefer Johnson's Sound of Summer Running.