Fresh from winning a Grammy on his last album with Joe Lovano, guitarist John Scofield takes a side dirt road and plays music that fits the local VFW or Moose Lodge.
He did a roots album a few years ago when he explored gospel music, so there’s something in Scofield’s dna that makes the Miles Davis alumnus veer his compass to America’s heartland. This time around he teams up with Larry Goldings/B3, Bill Stewart/dr and Steve Swallow/b for some low ceiling’d atomospheres.
He picks and grins on an acoustic “I’m An Old Cowhand,” but for most of everything else he gets the joint jumping with bona fide licks and grooves on “Wayfaring Stranger” and “Mr. Fool.” The team blows smoke rings on “Bartender’s Blues” and Scofield sounds like he’s from the Cumberland Gap on “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” The rhythm team two steps with delight on Bob Wills’ “Faded Love,” and you can feel the beer on your whiskers during Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried.” Lotta spit, and just enough polish.
They are planning a tour; any stops in Oroville or Truckee?
Impulse! Records