Label: ECM Records, 2020
Personnel - John Scofield: guitar; Steve Swallow: electric bass; Bill Stewart: drums.
On Swallow Tales, guitar giant John Scofield returns to the trio format, interpreting nine beautiful ‘songs’ from longtime bassist friend Steve Swallow, who pairs up here with drummer Bill Stewart to ensure a consistently swinging rhythmic foundation. Knowing one another very well, the old dynamics still pack a punch in what is Scofield’s first record as a leader on the ECM label.
The waltz “She Was Young” opens the recording, driven by Stewart’s sensitive brushes, Swallow’s efficient harmonic conduction, and the warmly persuasive guitar work of Scofield, who maintains the singing quality of a tune that in 1979 was sung by Sheila Jordan. It’s not difficult to conclude that groove is everywhere. “Hullo Bolinas” is another piece in 3/4 that resists the striking predominance of 4/4 tempos and fiercely swinging attitude.
Ingratiated by Stewart’s straight eights, “Falling Grace” is a fancifully articulated post-bop ride issued with lots of rapture. In addition to a spiraling guitar solo cooked with single-note phrases, octave approaches, and angular intervals, it’s easy to behold Swallow’s groundwork while he comfortably pads across the swing. This piece is deeply associated with Gary Burton’s groups, just like “Portsmouth Figurations”. The latter composition has the loose feel of a pleasant recollection and comes bolstered by psychedelic chords at some point. Scofield’s playing is adventurous, but never anarchic, and the tune gets better and better as the trio moves toward an epic finale.
Originally an up-tempo romp, “Awful Coffee” was slowed down for this album with a languorous groove and velvety texture, yet maintaining the bluesy feel. The nature of the piece compelled the stringed instrument players to trade fours with the drummer, and, along the way, Scofield also provides nimble arpeggiated gestures, shifting figures, and keen harmonic choices to accompany his own discourse. On the contrary, “Eiderdown” shake us up with bursts of hard-swinging energy.
“Away” is a short-form ballad whose ample space facilitates the emotional flow, whereas “In F” is a tongue-in-cheek exercise that straddles the worlds of funk, soul, and jazz with subtlety. It comes equipped with churning bass lines, smart percussive chops, and that feel-good factor that characterizes the music of these players. Their musical relationship pops like champagne bubbles, and the record, not being a masterpiece, carries the all-around colorful sonics one should expect from a trio of this calibre.
Grade B+
Favorite Tracks:
01 - She Was Young ► 02 - Falling Grace ► 05 - Eiderdown