Customer Reviews

That's What I Say: John Scofield Plays Ray Charles

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If it says John Scofield on it, I'll buy it. I have to admit to being skeptical though when I saw that this was a Ray Charles tribute record. First off, I was never much of a Ray Charles follower. I'm aware of his accomplishments and his talent as a performer, I simply never tried to get "into" him. Secondly, I wondered if a tribute album and a large supporting cast would get in the way of Sco's playing. Happily, this album is well worth your time and Sco sounds as good as ever. Also, any album that includes Dr. John, Warren Haynes and Mavis Staples is a guaranteed treat. Heck, John Mayer's making me wonder if he might be some kind of closet blues talent. If you're a fan of Mr. Scofield, you need this album. If you're a fan of of good soul, blues and rock and roll, you need this album. You may even need this album if you're a Ray Charles fan because this album is one classy tribute. Maybe I need to buy a Ray Charles album?

John Scofield keeps the Spirit of Ray Charles alive&Well on this Disc. Heck this Album is way better than that Last Ray Charles to me.good Arrangements&Instrumentation.Mavis Staples&Dr John are on Point here.Brother Ray Would Be Proud of this Record.

I have always loved John's more straight-ahead jazz style and sounds. Ala EnRoute, Quiet, Pick Hits Live, ScLoHoFo, etc. John has a flair for going over-the-top in some of his records. Maybe a little too much distortion on the guitar, maybe a bit too "rocky" and not enough jazz. Sometimes swaying too far into fusion for my tastes.

That being said, I find this CD to be a standard mish-mosh and commercial attempt at covering Ray's tunes. I don't think he did this for commercial reasons, obviously he doesn't need to, but rather did it because he really wanted to.

And that's fine if you like this sort of thing. This CD will probably do quite well for him as it crosses over to some Ray Charles fans. But it's not for me.

If you like the CDs I mentioned above, make sure you give the track samples of this particular CD a good listen and see if it's what you're looking for.

Lastly, I'm not saying this CD is bad. No, in fact it's really quite impressive. But, if you're like me, and just went, "Wow! A new John Scofield CD" and blindly picked it up you might be a little dissapointed. I ended up trading my copy back in to the record store.

In conclusion, a wonderfully succesful commercial attempt at paying an honest tribute to Ray through song. I suspect the CD will appeal to crossover fans and some Scofield die-hards that feel he can do no wong. But if you're a straight-ahead, old-chool jazz fan who is looking for Scofield's twis on it, avoid this CD. or listen to someone else's before you plunk down your hard earned dollars.

This is not a typical guitar record. This a rendition of Ray Charles tunes done in a ultra tasteful way, with a smoking bass and drums section, and
Sco doing his signature funk licks. Willie Weeks shines. Highly recomended. Best Ray Charles tribute so far.

Awsome. This album is very clean. It is a good, soulful representation of Ray Charles with its own flavorful taste. There is a righteously proper balance between the traditional Ray Charles feel and Scofield's modern touch. John Scofield never manages to impress me, and his wonderful guitar style successfully carries over into this cd. If you like John Scofield I highly recommend his other albums like A Gogo, Up All Night, Enroute, and more. Its great, pure music that never gets old.

This is a definite must have record! Take a listen. From the first track "Busted", you will be sold! Ray would be groovin' to every track. I'm telling you...add this record to your collection NOW!

I am a big JS fan, as a musician he is an incredible composer and also a great guitar player,The CD brings you an incredible horn arrangements, Larry Goldings a superb organ player and a very nice mix of artist from the pop, rhythm blues and gospel areas, also incredible solos from JS. I heard him twice live in Boston at Berklee College of Music when I was student , for all the tributes honoring the music of Ray Charles this is the best so far, don't miss this one

I heard the beginning of "What I say" in my car on the way to work. I thought, "Hey Hey! How cool the Neville Brothers and Dr. John are doing some Ray Charles." Then I heard the guitar solo at the end and I luckily pulled into the office lot before wrecking.

"Who did the Nevilles hire to sound like flipping John Scofield?!?! Brilliant!!!"

When the dj declared it was from the new John Scofield album, I was glad that I had already parked because it absolutely flipped my lid. A whole disc of this stuff!! Yeah!!

This disc is a wonderful wonderful disc in every way. Joyful, soulfull. Cool! Even when we are through being cool, ha.

Jazz blues soul RnB, whatever. This is the fresh living sound of the great song and music that Ray Charles has gifted us with.

And Thank you John Scofield and Co for continuing to play these tunes with style, love, and spirit.

i was a bit taken aback by Ray Charles connection - didn't seem logical to me . . . but gave this an open minded listen and am more and more addicted evry day . . . this is a great record from start to finish. the guests do a great job but they fit within the context . . of course J. Sco plays his butt off and the whol;e thing has a great flavor . . . highly reccomended

I'm a big JS fan. I pick up all of his albums and go to see him when I can. With the exception of a few tracks, I think that this album is disappointing. The problem is that the band really is playing the music of Ray Charles, but Scofield is playing Scofield. Alone, these are great grooves. Together, it sounds like the band and guitar parts were recorded separately. Furthermore, I don't know about these vocalists. Except for Dr. John, it all sounds like pop. It's good pop, but it doesn't fit with JS. I would recommend the album, but only after "A Go Go", "Bump", and "Works For Me."