Grace Under Pressure - John Scofield

Dec

17

Grace Under Pressure - John Scofield

≡ Category: 1990s, Don't Bother, Post Bop, Reviews |
≅ Written by: Michael Kydonieus

DON’T BOTHER

Rating:

Grace Under Pressure is one of Scofield’s weakest efforts. It’s essentially a trio date, with guitarist Bill Frisell providing atmospheric flourishes, and God help us, blues and jazz flavored improvisations.

The problem is that Bill Frisell can’t improvise his way out of a paper bag. The pity of it is, if he’s used properly, Frisell can be an asset.

For example, on Eberhard Weber’s wonderful release Fluid Rustle, Frisell contributes lovely textures on guitar and balalaika, a Russian string instrument. Weber only allows Frisell the briefest of solo spots. My guess is that Weber was very stern about the usual wanking that Frisell is prone to.

Another example of the proper use of Bill Frisell is on Line Down, from Paul Bley’s Fragments date. Frisell paints an eerie picture of electrical lines down during a storm. Listening to the tune, I have no problem visualizing high tension wires snapping and whipping around, sparks flying. That’s high praise, by the way.

On the other hand, on Grace Under Pressure, Frisell sounds blowsy, like an old drunk bellowing an out of tune ballad at closing time.

Still, Grace Under Pressure isn’t a total loss.

John Scofield was beginning to experiment with incorporating a horn section into his work at this point in his career. On Grace Under Pressure, Scofield has master arranger Mike Gibbs helping him out.

Given how annoying Bill Frisell is throughout the date, there’s only so much the first-rate horn section (Randy Brecker on trumpet, John Clark on flugelhorn, and Jim Pugh on trombone) can do, but it serves as a welcome distraction whenever it appears.

Only on the song Twang do all of the elements come together in a satisfying way. The verses consist of a sturdy ascending bass line over which Scofield plucks bluesy, countrified licks. It’s not long before we get the chorus, a hooky melody tricked out with a gorgeous brass arrangement. On Twang, Frisell is relegated to acoustic rhythm guitar duties. He does fine.

Honestly, Grace Under Pressure is pretty much a waste of time with the exception of Twang. Unless you’re a John Scofield completist like me, you’re better off downloading Twang and leaving the rest.