Search - John Scofield :: A Moment's Peace

Guitarist John Scofield Embraces Ballads on A Moment's Peace New Emarcy album features Larry Goldings, Scott Colley and Brian Blade. On A Moment's Peace, his follow-up to 2009's gospel-drenched Piety Street, Scofield and his all-star crew of pianist/organist Larry Goldings (James Taylor, Norah Jones, Walter Becker), bassist Scott Colley (Jim Hall, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny) and drummer Brian Blade (Wayne Shorter, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan) luxuriate in ballads associated with such legendary interpreters of song as Billie Holiday, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone and John Coltrane. Included in the collection, Scofield's third outing on EmArcy, are five new originals by the guitar great, along with soulful interpretations of the lyrical Lennon-McCartney number "I Will" and Carla Bley's serene "Lawns." From sublime renderings of "I Want to Talk About You" and "You Don't Know What Love Is" to "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You" and "I Loves You Porgy," Scofield fills each of these timeless gems with an uncommonly expressive approach to his instrument while stretching out in the tradition of the great melodic improvisers. And his highly interactive rhythm section, marked by Colley's formidable presence on bass, Goldings' thoughtful orchestrations on both piano and organ and Blade's sensitive, intuitive touch on the kit, helps make all of these tunes come alive in the moment. Scofield has high praise for his valued sidemen on A Moment's Peace. "Some guys are interactive in kind of a bulldozer way," he says. "But Scott, Larry and Brian are all able to be supportive of the music while making their personal contributions. There's a kind of a magic in that." While this session marks the first time that Scofield and Blade have played together on a recording, it's a reunion of sorts for the other two band members. Bassist Colley played in the guitarist's touring group during the early 1990s and keyboardist Goldings has had an ongoing musical relationship with Scofield over the years, having appeared on three of his previous recordings - 1993's Hand Jive , 1995's Groove Elation and 2005's That's What I Say- and also being a key member of Trio Beyond, with drummer Jack DeJohnette (documented on 2006's live Saudades).