Customer Reviews

Ear To The Ground

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Matt Schofield is being talked of as the finest Blues guitarist to have emerged in Europe for several generations. Britain's Guitar magazine describes Schofield's guitar playing as "dynamite", picking him as the only non-American in their review of the future of the Blues guitar. Having read such statements I decided to give him a try. Well, I'm really glad I did! Just to be clear from the very beginning this is my first Schofiel's CD however it is not going to be the last. As a matter of fact I have already ordered all the other available ones. Since the very first listening I was very impressed by his sound, something that you would probably collocate somewhere between Robben Ford, Albert Collins and Ronnie Earl. Talking about this CD and Schofield's music I would say that it is a great combination of blues and jazz, where the accent is strong on blues. The band line-up harks back to the classic organ trios of the fifties and sixties. Jonny Henderson on Hammond organ gives sleazy texture and dynamics while holding down left hand bass lines, and "drummers' drummer" Evan Jenkins provides compelling grooves. But that's where any comparison with a traditional organ trio ends. With their huge sounding, multi-layered and rhythmically infectious delivery this band redefines the meaning of "power trio". The best songs of the album are, from my point of view, the slow number, beautifully played, "Once in a while" and the hard driving "Someone". I would strongly recommend a listen to all the Robben Ford's fans and, why not, also to everyone who love the great Ronnie Earl.

I have all Matt Schofield's albums and this is the best so far. The quality of production, arrangement, original material and his voice are a real step forward, and his guitar playing is everything you would expect. There are some truly outstanding tracks (the title track, `Someone', and especially, Searchin' do it for me).

Schofield is a genuinely inspiring guitarist with a huge amount of soul and commitment in what he plays, and unlike so many players emerging today who claim to play Blues, he has his own recognisable and distinctive sound even when he is paying homage to his greatest inspirations.

Reading R. Putignano's review I cannot understand his downbeat comments. Is this the same R. Putignano that I have read waxing lyrical about Schofield's previous albums and the merits of his Blues-meets-jazz outfit. Why the sudden change of heart? And why the suggestion that Schofield change the band to take on another guitarist, that is bizarre! Or that he should abandon the organ trio format to sound like any other homogenized Blues-rock trio. It is the organ trio that is part of Schofield's sound and nobody else does it with such power and class.

From what I know of Schofield's approach to his music, I believe he simply plays what he enjoys playing without any concern to be commercial and certainly not to emulate Joe Bonamassa, to which Mr Putignano likens the title track "Ear to The Ground." I can't hear it myself, and I think Bonamassa might be a bit mystified too.

I imagine there will be a legion of Schofield fans taking issue with Mr Putignano, and similarly asking, why? But meantime I can totally recommend this album if you are already into Matt Schofield, and if you're new to Schofield it's a great place to start.

Twelve very good songs and one great one by a Brit power trio(electric guitar, drums, B3). There's always a market for a guitarist/vocalist frontman with good taste in tunes and the ability to both play rhythm cop B.B. King-esque leads. That's Matt Schofield.
Smooth, but maintaining the hint of rawness blues requires to remain real blues as opposed to blues-rock.
Head and shoulders above the other cuts is "When It All Comes Down," which lucky listeners will remember from B.B. King's flirtation with The Crusaders a few decades back. The best start is the best material, and this one does start in the groove and dig it as deep as the Marianas Trench. Beautiful work, really the best this instrumental line-up could do with it and beyond.
"Ear to the Ground," widely disseminated, could be an inspiration to budding trios everywhere.

This guy has a lot of style and Class. I look forward to his future recordings as well. I have really enjoyed this disc a great deal. AT times he reminds me of Robben Ford, other times Albert King. good disc.

This album by far is his best - a great listen anytime.