Hudson
John Scofield · 2017
72 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of jazz and blues, merging intricate guitar work with soulful grooves and reflective improvisation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hudson Start here — The title track sets the tone for the album with its expansive arrangement and showcases Scofield's signature guitar improvisation against a backdrop of rich harmonies.
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Lay Lady Lay — Scofield's interpretation of this Bob Dylan classic transforms it into a lush jazz ballad, highlighting his ability to reinterpret familiar melodies within a new context.
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A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall — This track features powerful arrangements that blend emotional depth with rhythmic complexity, illustrating Scofield's skill in combining lyrical content with instrumental exploration.
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Song for World Forgiveness — An original composition that encapsulates the album's thematic essence, this track combines introspective melodies with dynamic interplay among musicians, reflecting both hope and contemplation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalHudson showcases strong improvisation and intricate guitar work, blending jazz and blues effectively.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a slow build-up, gradually layering guitar riffs over a steady rhythm section.
- Several tracks incorporate blues elements, with the guitar often taking on a call-and-response role against the bass and drums.
- Improvisation is prominent throughout, with extended solos that explore different melodic ideas while maintaining a cohesive sound.
- The final track features a meditative quality, using sparse instrumentation to create an atmospheric conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic exploration with resolution
- wave-like pacing for deep listening
- soulful melodies for reflective moments
- vibrant improvisation for engaged focus
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Received critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination, showcasing artistic ambition.
- Career context
- By the time 'Hudson' was released in 2017, John Scofield was an established figure in the jazz world, known for his innovative guitar styles. This album arrives as a follow-up to his acclaimed 2016 release, 'Past Present', showcasing his continued evolution as a musician and band leader.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pat Metheny· Mike Stern· Bill Frisell
Tracklist
- 1 Hudson Start here 10:57
- 2 El Swing 5:30
- 3 Lay Lady Lay 8:16
- 4 Woodstock 6:00
- 5 A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall 9:14
- 6 Wait Until Tomorrow 5:29
- 7 Song for World Forgiveness 8:36
- 8 Dirty Ground 3:58
- 9 Tony Then Jack 5:04
- 10 Up on Cripple Creek 5:36
- 11 Great Spirit Peace Chant 3:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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