Scott Henderson: Tore Down House

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Recent articles (1,677 total)

Published: May 1, 1999

With a fusion of jazz, blues and rock, guitarist Scott Henderson put together a set of his own songs; the lone exception is Jaco Pastorius’ "Continuum." Most of the album features Thelma Houston with a blues trio; Houston wails while Henderson smokes in a contemporary electric blues vein. Most of the guitarist’s career has been based on fusion; leaders with whom Henderson worked early on include Joe Zawinul, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Chick Corea with his Elektrik Band. Complete information on the guitarist may be found at http://www.ejn.it/mus/s_hender.htm . In 1986 Henderson and Gary Willis founded the first edition of Tribal Tech, a fusion band who’s released eight albums since. More information about Tribal Tech may be found at http://home.earthlink.net/~scottkinsey/tribal.htm .

Alongside Henderson’s ferocious guitar and the fluid singing of Houston is the propulsive team of bassist Dave Carpenter and drummer Kirk Covington. The title track is a slow vocal blues with emotional guitar fills and an exciting interlude. The Bo Diddley beat of "Meter Maid" carries the singer’s tale of urban living with a comfortable feeling that makes the background pleasurable and the lyrics understandable. There are places on the album, however, where the lyrics’ meaning may seem offensive to someone who’s never had a serious long-term relationship. The horns only appear on "Dolemite." Carpenter and Covington rip off a genuine "Continuum" with support from Scott Kinsey at the organ and Henderson on acoustic guitar. The up-tempo "Harpoon" pushes the envelope with a syncopated New Orleans shuffle and exciting solos from Henderson & Pat O’Brien. The music is fun, and the artist is quite talented.

Track Listing: Dolemite; Tore Down House; Meter Maid; I Hate You; Gittar School; Xanax; Continuum; You Get Off On Me; Mocha; Harpoon; Same As You.

Personnel: Scott Henderson- guitar; Thelma Houston, Masta Edwards- vocals; Dave Carpenter- electric bass; Kirk Covington- drums; Scott Kinsey- keyboards; Albert Wing- alto sax, tenor sax, flute; Mike Nelson- tenor sax, baritone sax; Dan Fornero, Walt Fowler- trumpet; Eric Jorgenson- trombone; Pat O

Record Label: MESA/Bluemoon
Style: Fusion/Progressive Rock