One of the main reasons that Scofield is able to make such substantial innovations in music, on multiple fronts, is that he has totally absorbed the roots of the music - blues and bebop. He plays absolutely authentic and masterful bop solos - no jiving whatsoever. He's the real deal.
When John Scofield plays straight ahead jazz I think he is really in his element. This is a really nice version of this song. He even quotes part of Jim Hall's solo from the early 70s "Alone Together" album with Ron Carter in the last bridge section before they go back to the melody.
Before I say anything about the gear you must realize that his tone comes from the way he plays. He isn't playing one way the entire video. He moves closer and farther away from the bridge to get a snappier and brighter tone. He also holds the pick at a certain angle. At times in this vid he (breaks the string loose) meaning he hits it hard enough to create a sound. A sort of accent. He also does hybrid picking. Also, his playing sounds as good as it does because he's playing in time really well
When I first heard Scotfield it was live in Prague. I didnt even know him and didnt even like him. After that gig I tried to listen it again a liked it more. And video after video I was more and more in love with that music, oh god.
@Flemmingdoerken Hej Flemming!! Programmet hedder: DR K Jazz og bliver typisk sendt om torsdagen på DR K og genudsendt den efterfølgende søndag. PS: Præsentation af udsendelserne er Chris Minh Doky.
It is not for the first time when this wonderful ballad depicting loneliness of a couple and its inability to connect is being played as a jumpy, med swing happy clappy jazz. The song, as literally any other, is not a music only - it is also about the message - feelings, personal tragedy of those two beautifully described in lyrics. In this respect this duo version is a mistake. A proper attitude which I personally promote and practice: this tune should be played at least four times slower, with a very minimalistic attitude, using dynamics and accents as well as harmonic evolution to build a necessary tension that goes along with the lyrics.
