Scoeld goes blandly 'A Go Go'

In his recently released album "A Go Go," Scofield is fully eclipsed by his guests, John Medeski, Billy Martin and Chris Wood. In fact, Scofield himself brings down the overall sound of the group and comes out clearly as the ugliest-sounding duckling of this quartet.

Throughout the entire disc, Scofield forgets that he is in a jazz band, opting for a harder, more rock 'n' roll sound. On the track

"Chank," the guitarist takes an organ-groove by Medeski - that would make Jimmy Smith drool - and ruins it by throwing in a guitar solo, a la Slash. It's not that Slash isn't a talented guitarist, it's just that Slash would not be able to jazz his way out of a paper bag.

In "Hottentot," Scofield turns what would be a fast-paced, groovy tune into a bad bit of quasi-rock, appropriate only for "Red Shoe Diaries." Apparently, his producers forgot to tell him that he was not on stage in Woodstock, but in fact attempting a bit of jazz and rock fusion.

What is most frustrating about this - and all the other pieces on the album - is that John Scofield is capable of playing a more smooth, clean sound (his 1994 Blue Note release "Handjive" is testament to this). But perhaps all great musicians need their moments of mediocrity.

The saving grace of this CD is the great back-up the leader receives from Medeski, Martin and Wood. It is apparent from the song "Jeep on 35" that the drummer-bassist-organ trio know how to jam together - and they do it well.

Scofield ironically comes across as a fifth wheel on his own album. When the guitarist steps aside to let the others jam is when this disk truly comes alive; when he comes back, the feelings are more forced and awkward.

So what is the moral of this story? Check the resumes of your friends before you invite them. They might just out-do you at your own party. John Scofield should definitely want to cry.

04-21-98