Swallow Tales
John Scofield · 2020
52 min · 9 tracks · jazz
A seamless blend of intricate melodies and improvisational flair, showcasing jazz's modern evolution through Scofield's distinctive guitar work.
Top tracks — play these first
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She Was Young Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Falling Grace — This track exemplifies Scofield's mastery of melody and harmony, intertwining lyrical guitar lines with a rich harmonic backdrop that captures the essence of jazz improvisation.
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Awful Coffee — Awful Coffee features a playful rhythm that showcases Scofield’s unique approach to groove, blending humor with intricate musical dialogue among the band members.
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Eiderdown — Eiderdown stands out with its serene atmosphere and delicate interplay between instruments, highlighting Scofield’s capacity for creating evocative soundscapes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalScofield's intricate melodies and improvisational style create a cohesive and engaging jazz experience.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of intricate guitar melodies that weave in and out of the rhythm section, creating a fluid interplay.
- Each track maintains a moderate tempo, with several pieces extending beyond five minutes to allow for extended improvisation.
- The final three tracks gradually reduce in tempo and intensity, providing a reflective conclusion to the album.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- wave-like pacing with dynamic shifts
- contemplative moments for introspection
- intricate melodies for active listening
- smooth improvisations for relaxed evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Demonstrates artistic maturity and continued vitality in Scofield's later work.
- Career context
- Released in 2020, Swallow Tales is John Scofield's seventeenth studio album, following his acclaimed 2016 release, Country for Old Men. At this stage in his career, Scofield had established himself as a prominent figure in the jazz fusion scene, known for pushing boundaries while maintaining deep roots in traditional jazz.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pat Metheny· Mike Stern· Bill Frisell
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Falling Grace
The song transitions into a hauntingly beautiful bridge where the harmony shifts unexpectedly, inviting an emotional depth amidst the improvisation.
This harmonic shift not only showcases Scofield's compositional prowess but also enhances the spontaneity of the performance, embodying the core spirit of jazz.
Tracklist
- 1 She Was Young Start here 9:29
- 2 Falling Grace 5:24
- 3 Portsmouth Figurations 3:31
- 4 Awful Coffee 9:24
- 5 Eiderdown 7:10
- 6 Hullo Bolinas 4:11
- 7 Away 4:50
- 8 In F 4:30
- 9 Radio 4:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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