JAZZBO NOTES ESSENTIAL RECORDING
Rating: 
If They Only Knew is probably the best recorded example of Liebman’s late 70s quintet with John Scofield.
The program is mostly originals, which are pretty much all hard-driving, harmonically complex post-bop. Liebman is at his most unrestrained here — brutal, searching solo statements with no concession to commercialism. Scofield’s comping style and sound doesn’t make things any easier on the ears. At the time, he favored a rather harsh, trebly tone, unlike the fatter sound of his Gramavision recordings in the 80s. Combined with Liebman’s acerbic sax, this makes for one challenging listen.
If you can get past the harsh material and presentation, there is a hell of a lot of substance in these performances/tunes. The high point for me is Autumn in New York, a duet between Liebman and Scofield. The harmonies are altered (Liebman ALWAYS messes with the harmony when he plays standards) and Scofield accompanies him in a highly idiosyncratic manner.
If I’ve made this cd sound like medicine, it does have that aspect to it, for which I’ve deducted half a star. But it’s good for you, I promise!
I’d just like to say that I agree that the record certainly is close to a five star album, and that Schofields playing does add a certain harshness to the sound.
However, I feel that all the rhythm sections comping is absolutely fantastic; I can’t believe how much on the same page they are. Ron McClure and Nussbaum must have performed a lobotomy on the rest of the guys during the session. Due to this I think Schofields comping adds a lot of texture to the performance, and I think most ECM recordings would put of anyone that doesn’t understand the simplest of complex post-bop.
I especially love the first two tracks, the start of like a lot of ECM recordings; quite surreal and dreamy then precedes into some rocking funk fusion. Irresistable.
Sorry this is a Timeless recording, not ECM.
I agree with you, James. I didn’t mean to imply that the comping wasn’t good — the rhythm section totally rocks, just like you said. It’s just that these guys seem to be playing mainly for themselves, not the audience (which is not in any way a criticism).
It’s always refreshing to come across fans who can appreciate hardcore post bop made without concessions to commercialism.
If figures this disc was put out by Timeless. The Europeans were much more tolerant of complexity and harsh textures than Americans, especially in the late 70s and early 80s. By then, Americans were into either lame fusion or Wynton Marsalis and his ilk.
Which leads me to a recommendation. James, if you haven’t heard of it, check out the recordings on MPS (a German label), especially the early 70s ones. I think you’ll like what you hear. You can find lots of information on the label at http://mps-love.blogspot.com/.