Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Scenes: Along the Way

253

Scenes: Along the Way

By

Sign in to view read count
Scenes: Along the Way
It's easier to impress listeners with virtuosity than subtlety and nuance, but thankfully there are those who take the road less traveled. Along the Way, the second release by Scenes, is the result of three musicians being comfortable in their own skins and having nothing to prove. The vibe may be relaxed and the delivery spacious, but this music proves that one should never mistake comfort for complacency.

Guitarist John Stowell has had a lengthy career with a series of milestones, but he's never attained the widespread fame of contemporaries like Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny or John Scofield. While these three guitarists all have roots in the elegant and deceptive simplicity of Jim Hall, Stowell's reference point is clearer. Like Hall, Stowell's command of the language may be inescapable, but he uses it in such a selfless way that every note feels paramount.

Bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop have worked together frequently over the past few years in a variety of contexts, and both are supple and responsive players. Still, this is not a case of guitarist and rhythm section—it's an interactive three-way conversation. There's never a sense of anyone lobbying for dominance. Instead, camaraderie and an ever-present sense of equity predominate, even during clearly defined solos.

The tempo rarely gets beyond medium and the trio members' stance is never aggressive. Bishop, a textural player who never loses sight of the pulse, plays in an understated fashion throughout, making the few occasions where he lets out the stops all the more dramatic. Johnson's "Studio City and "Lonely Blue Angel are as fiery as the trio gets, and while the energy is unavoidable, so too is an underlying commitment to focus and thematic development.

Stowell's easygoing "When Jasper Grows Up brings to mind some of Scofield's trio work, but with a cleaner, warmer tone and phrasing that bears no resemblance to Sco's bluesy mindset. There's nothing sharp or harsh about his style, so even his close voicings and occasional hint of dissonance remain wholly approachable.

There's an airy, ECM-like feel to much of the album, at times reminscent of guitarist John Abercrombie's trio with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Peter Erskine, but more in its aesthetic than any direct stylistic reference.

Along the Way doesn't stand out in the literal sense. It's neither obvious nor exaggerated. Instead, it's an honest and unassuming record filled with memorable writing and committed playing. One of those rare records that almost insidiously creeps its way into the subconscious on repeated listens, it will, no doubt, remain relevant long after any "style du jour passes from favor.

Track Listing

Stay Right There; Studio City; When Jasper Grows Up; F

Personnel

Scenes
band / ensemble / orchestra

John Stowell: guitar; Jeff Johnson: bass; John Bishop: drums.

Album information

Title: Along the Way | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Origin Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.