Showing posts with label John Scofield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Scofield. Show all posts

5/20/2020

Jazz Review: John Scofield, Steve Swallow, & Bill Stewart - Swallow Tales

Release Date: June 05, 2020
Label: ECM Records
Website


According to his website bio, Scofield and his music lie “somewhere between post-bop, funk edged jazz, and R & B.” John Scofield has, over his 50 years within the industry, played with some of the biggest names in the music industry known to man. One of his biggest partnerships was with the late, great Miles Davis. This duo provided Scofield the capability to flourish from a springboard perspective into the spotlight of Jazz as both an instrumentalist and composer harmoniously. With his latest project Swallow Tales, the 68-year-old has not shown any signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Steve Swallow, one of two partners on this album, is a jazz bassist and composer hailing from my home state of New Jersey,(who knew?) Swallow was one of the first bassists to switch up entirely to utilize an electric bass. Like his teammate, for more than 50 years, Steve has been writing and even educating youth at the Berklee College of Music. At 79, Steve is still contributing to upcoming works including Swallow Tales.

Bill Stewart is the mastermind behind the rhythm and beat of the newest album creation. If not for him, the record might lose a sense of excitement and anticipation that several of the tracks offer. As the youngest of the trio in this group, the 53-year-old collaborates once again with Scofield to impress upon new, upcoming artists incorporating his “polyrhythmic, or layered character” with that of their own new and inventive styles that they might develop in a quest to become a new “great” musician or artist of tomorrow.

In just a basic glance of the album’s artwork, Swallow Tales comes across as something one might listen to on that of the dreariest, dampest of days. Turning on the intro track, “She Was Young” reveals quite the opposite of mindsets. It’s cool, simple, film-like beginning lays the groundwork for an enjoyable nine-and-a-half minute electric guitar getaway. The flicks and picks amid the track keep the listener wondering where he might go next as he eases back into solemn, quiet playing.

“Falling Grace” is more of a somber tune but appealing nonetheless. Its shuffle-like sound and the consistent rise and fall structure throughout the playtime is a fun way to incorporate different techniques through the tracks. “Portsmouth Figurations” brings about a more-defined drum beat to change up the sound-alike chain of the prior two tracks, even if you can spot the differences. Instrumental pieces, often make it difficult to capture what separates one track from another, however, it is very-much still possible to do so.

“Awful Coffee” is most certainly apparent in its more mellow style, especially as the track opens. The track aligns very closely with the design and setup of the album’s artwork, where it might be best listened to within the confines of a darker room or under the haze of a gray, cloudy sky. “Eiderdown” blends quite seamlessly with its predecessor up until about the 2-minute mark where it differentiates with a rumble-like tone and more staccato-type form. The seven-minute tune avails more zig-zag maze imagery than the others heard so far as there does not seem to be one set theme in this track.

“Hullo Bolinas” brings the listener back down from a high of excitement and pop-infused playtime. The more elongated, allegro formation of this track appeals to those who like tracks that are more at ease and with less of an intensity that jazz can often possess. That’s the thing with jazz, it can range from a calm, soothing notion, to a highly clashing, bombastic, and lively sound that surprises the listener at every turn.

Next on the record, “Away” begins its music with an apparent country-like sound, like someone who has lost a love or who has moved away from settings or people familiar and typical to the individual. With every note that is played, your heart feels for when the guitar tweaks and crescendos with each note. The song reminds me much of the Christmas song by The Carpenters, “Christmas Waltz” (“And this song of mine in three-quarter time. Wishes you and yours the same thing too.”)

Rounding out the album, “In F” is a funky, groovy track bound to put anyone who listens in a great mood and get some up off their feet to dance. Its rock-pop vibe carries a difference from the rest of the record which might go unnoticed if you are one who likes to skip tracks or select your favorites rather than listen to the record in its entirety for what it’s worth. Finally, “Radio” keeps with the appeal of “In F” succeeding to send off the listener with a smile and a feel of how each groove and divet of jazz can be peculiar in their own right. Just when you think the artist is going in one direction, he or she takes your trained ear and throws it reverse. And just like everything else, oftentimes it works, and sometimes it misses the mark. Here, Swallow Tales accomplishes the mission of entertainment and experience for the unexperienced musician or just plain music lover.


Gregg Keniston- MuzikMan.net Staff
May 17, 2020

 

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

 

2/26/2015

Las Vegas Guitarist Jimmy McIntosh Releases New Album Featuring Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood!


Featuring guest appearances by guitar legends Ronnie Wood, John Scofield and Mike Stern!

Las Vegas, NV - As a follow up to 2006's  'Orleans to London', guitarist Jimmy McIntosh once again finds himself in illustrious company on his new album 'Jimmy McIntosh and...' This collection of funk, rock, jazz and blues originals showcases McIntosh's considerable six-string prowess and features the Michigan native exchanging incendiary licks with his personal guitar heroes John Scofield , Mike Stern and the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood. The solid backbeats are supported by Toss Panos (drummer of choice for guitarists Robben Ford and Mike Landau), bassists Dan Lutz, John Humphrey and Keith Hubacher and New Orleans keyboardist Ivan Neville (of The Neville Brothers, Keith Richards' X-Pensive Winos and Dumpstaphunk). This stellar outing was definitely a labor of love for McIntosh.

For 'Jimmy McIntosh and...', McIntosh recruited Scofield and Stern from his home base, Las Vegas. Says Jimmy, “I got to know John and Mike about 12 years ago when there was a Blue Note jazz club in Las Vegas and became good friends with both of them. The Vegas Blue Note was short-lived, but I was there almost every night for the duration of their gigs. I've jammed with Mike several times and asked him, 'If I make another record, will you play on it?' And Mike said 'sure'! Toss Panos, John Humphrey and I went into Toss's North Hollywood studio with Mike when he was in Los Angeles playing with his band at Catalina's. Mike's playing on this album is just brilliant. Then John happened to come through town with Phil Lesh & Friends just a few months ago. I had mentioned to him that I was doing this album and he said, 'Hey, if you still have room on your CD, I'd love to play on it.' So that came to fruition as well. It was a dream come true for me to create this CD with three major heroes of mine and who have also become very good friends over the years.”

McIntosh's friendship with Ronnie Wood goes back to his solo debut, 'Orleans to London'. Jimmy recalls, “I first met Ronnie backstage at a Stones show in Las Vegas. Ronnie and Keith Richards were hanging out with Bobby Womack in the 'Tuning Room' were they Jam to warm up before the show. Art Neville did me a huge favor and called Jane Rose for me to meet Keith and Ronnie. It was a wedding gift as I got married a week before (This was April 1999). Anyway a few years later I recorded my first CD 'Orleans To London' and Art Neville, Ivan Neville, Cyril Neville and Mean Willie Green (Neville Bros drummer) played on it. As I was near the end of the project in October 2004 I got in touch with Ronnie Wood through his stepson (Jamie Wood) who was his manager at the time and told him about my project. Three weeks later my wife and I flew to London and went to Ronnie's house in Richmond were he played on 5 tracks (first takes). Ronnie said, 'I told Jeff Beck about your project and he might come by to play' - I was in shock! About 2 hours later Jeff showed up and ended up playing on 3 tracks. Ronnie said as Jeff was recording, 'You can't believe how lucky you are, he won't play on anything!' I'm not sure what Ronnie told him about the Neville's being on the record but it was amazing having both those guys on the record. Jeff is credited as 'Hot Rod' on 'Orleans To London' because his manager wouldn't let me use his name.

“Ronnie and I hit it off fantastically and stayed in touch so when I started a second record I was hoping he would play on it. I covered a tune from Ronnie's latest album called 'I Gotta See'. Ronnie plays a great solo and outro slide solo on the song. Ronnie and I also played two improvised Jams that open and close the album like bookends. The Jams are just the two of us live in the studio without the band. The Rolling Stones have been my favorite band since I was a kid so getting to work and play with Ronnie is literally a dream come true. Ronnie is truly a great artist. It's amazing that all of the iconic records Ronnie has played on were mostly first takes on his part. He is really underrated as a musician. I wrote six originals for 'Jimmy McIntosh and...' Ronnie wrote one of the Jams 'Fast Blues' and we share credit on the opener 'Slow Blues'. I covered a few tunes... 'I Gotta See' by Ronnie Wood, 'Demon' by Keith Richards, '32 20 Blues' by Robert Johnson and 'Sophisticated Lady' by Duke Ellington. Duke Ellington was a friend of my family when I was a little kid and greatly encouraged my interest in music. When I played French Horn in the Junior High School band I told my mom I was going to change something in the music. She asked Mr Ellington if I should do that and he said, 'I think you have a musician there!'

“The record was recorded at Toss Panos studio in North Hollywood. Toss is a great drummer I first heard with Michael Landau. John Humphrey (Scott Henderson Trio) is on bass on most of the record. Keith Hubacher is on bass on two tracks and Ivan Neville plays organ and Piano. Albert Wing who played with Frank Zappa among others plays Tenor Sax on 'I Gotta See' and 'Demon', a Keith Richards cover. Ronnie and Ivan are on both of my records which I'm very proud of. It connects the two projects.”

Born on October 14, 1958 in Sao Paolo, Brazil, Jimmy McIntosh grew up in the small town of Temperance, Michigan. After graduating from high school in 1976, Jimmy attended the Berklee College of Music for two years. Over the years McIntosh has played with R&B singer Doris Troy, Billy Preston, Little Anthony & The Imperials, and backed up Buddy Hackett and Ben Vereen, Since 1990, McIntosh has played regularly in the popular Lon Bronson All-Stars Band, a powerhouse horn band. The Lon Bronson band had a longstanding weekly residency at the Riviera, where they entertained crowds 'til the wee hours and featured such special guests sitting in as former Doobie Brothers guitarist and producer Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, guitarist Joe Walsh, Members of TOP, comedian (and sometime trumpeter) Drew Carey, bassist-magician-comedian Penn Jillette and former “Tonight Show” guitarist, bandleader and Jay Leno sidekick Kevin Eubanks. In 1999, following his longstanding engagement with the “Legends” show, McIntosh moved to the Rio Hotel to perform in a show with pop stars Sheena Easton and David Cassidy, then worked for the following two years in Cassidy's touring band. He has subsequently played with pianist-composer David Foster, Donna Summer, Kenny Logins, Gloria Gaynor and played in musical theater productions of “Mamma Mia” and “Jersey Boys.”

And now, after several years, Jimmy's long awaited sophomore album is now available! In closing Jimmy has this to impart, “My new album 'Jimmy McIntosh and...' is a real labor of love and hope people enjoy it!”

To purchase:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jimmy-mcintosh-and.../id921784705
http://www.amazon.com/Jimmy-McIntosh-feat-Ronnie-Scofield/dp/B00NV7QOM2
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jimmymcintosh2

For more information:
www.jimmymcintosh.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com