JOHN SCOFIELD - That's What I Say : John Scofield Plays The Music Of Ray Charles (2005) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

With John Scofield, a big part of the fun is never knowing what the guitarist will do from one album to the next. He might provide an album that is abstract and cerebral, or he might come up with something funky and groove-oriented; That's What I Say: John Scofield Plays the Music of Ray Charles is a perfect example of the latter. Featuring well-known guest vocalists who include Dr. John, Mavis Staples (as in the Staple Sisters), Aaron Neville and John Mayer, this tribute to the late Ray Charles is definitely one of Scofield's more commercial projects -- which isn't to say that he shouldn't be proud of the album. Commercialism isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as it is tastefully done, and That's What I Say is a tasteful effort that finds Scofield fluctuating between instrumental soul-jazz and vocal-oriented soul. Produced by drummer Steve Jordan, this 65-minute CD isn't for jazz snobs, but rather, those who hold jazz and R&B in equally high regard -- and people who fit that description will appreciate Scofield's instrumental soul-jazz workouts on "Hit the Road, Jack," "Busted" and "Unchain My Heart," but will be equally receptive to the straight-up R&B singing of Neville on "You Don't Know Me" and Staples on Don Gibson's "I Can't Stop Loving You" (one of the many country songs that received an R&B makeover from Charles). The disc's only disappointing track is an instrumental version of Buck Owens' "Cryin' Time." Scofield uses the Bakersfield sound honky tonk classic as a brief interlude to "I Can't Stop Loving You," but "Cryin' Time" deserved more of his time than a minute and a half -- and it's regrettable that Scofield doesn't stretch out on the Owens gem. But overall, That's What I Say is a creative success for Scofield and the R&B and jazz artists who join him. by Alex Henderson  
Tracklist :
1    Busted 6:32
Drums – Steve Jordan
Guitar – John Scofield
Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Written-By – Harlan Howard
2    What'd I Say 6:17
Backing Vocals – Lisa Fischer, Meegan Voss, Vaneese Thomas
Baritone Saxophone, Voice [Heys And Hos] – Howard Johnson
Bass [Ampeg Baby] – Willie Weeks
Choir [Talking Choir] – Scofield, Goldings, Jordan, Weeks
Drums [Cocktail Drums], Jug [Water-Cooler], Backing Vocals – Steve Jordan
Guitar – John Scofield
Percussion, Timbales, Speech [Spanish Speaking] – Manolo Badrena
Synthesizer [Wurlitzer], Vibraphone – Larry Goldings
Tenor Saxophone – David "Fathead" Newman
Tenor Saxophone, Voice [Heys And Hos] – Alex Foster
Trombone, Voice [Heys And Hos] – Keith O' Quinn
Trumpet, Voice [Heys And Hos] – Earl Gardner
Vocals – Aaron Neville, Dr. John, John Mayer, Mavis Staples, Warren Haynes
Written-By – Ray Charles
3    Sticks And Stones 3:44
Bass – Willie Weeks
Drums – Steve Jordan
Guitar – John Scofield
Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Written-By – Henry Glover, Titus Turner
4    I Don't Need No Doctor 4:30
Bass – Willie Weeks
Drums – Steve Jordan
Guitar – John Scofield
Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – John Mayer
Written-By – Nickolas Ashford-Valerie Simpson
5    Cryin' Time 1:31
Guitar – John Scofield
Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Written-By – Buck Owens
6    I Can't Stop Loving You 4:49
Backing Vocals – Lisa Fischer, Vaneese Thomas
Bass – Willie Weeks
Drums – Steve Jordan
Guitar [Guitar, Nervous Guitar] – John Scofield
Organ [Hammond B3], Synthesizer [Wurlitzer] – Larry Goldings
Vocals – Mavis Staples
Written-By – Don Gibson
7    Hit The Road Jack 5:28
Baritone Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Bass – Willie Weeks
Drums, Finger Snaps – Steve Jordan
Guitar, Finger Snaps – John Scofield
Tenor Saxophone – Alex Foster, David "Fathead" Newman
Trombone – Keith O' Quinn
Trumpet – Earl Gardner
Written-By – Percy Mayfield
Talkin' Bout You / I Got A Woman 5:49
Baritone Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Bass [Ampeg Baby] – Willie Weeks
Drums [Cocktail Drums], Tambourine – Steve Jordan
Guitar – John Scofield
Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Tambourine – Manolo Badrena
Tenor Saxophone – Alex Foster, David "Fathead" Newman
Trombone – Keith O' Quinn
Trumpet – Earl Gardner
Vocals, Piano – Dr. John
8.1    Talkin' Bout You
Written-By – Ray Charles
8.2    I Got A Woman
Written-By – Ray Charles, Renald Richard
9    Unchain My Heart (Part 1) 5:05
Bass – Willie Weeks
Drums – Steve Jordan
Guitar – John Scofield
Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Written-By – Robert Sharp, Jr., Teddy Powell
10    Let's Go Get Stoned 3:29
Baritone Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Bass – Willie Weeks
Drums – Steve Jordan
Guitar – John Scofield
Tenor Saxophone – Alex Foster
Trombone – Keith O' Quinn
Trumpet – Earl Gardner
Written-By – Nickolas Ashford-Valerie Simpson, Josephine Armstead
11    Night Time Is The Right Time 4:57
Backing Vocals, Handclaps – Lisa Fischer, Vaneese Thomas
Baritone Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Bass – Willie Weeks
Drums, Backing Vocals, Handclaps – Steve Jordan
Guitar [Leslie] – John Scofield
Vocals, Guitar [Bottleneck Guitar] – Warren Haynes
Written-By – Lew Herman
12    You Don't Know Me 4:57
Bass [Ampeg Baby] – Willie Weeks
Drums – Steve Jordan
Guitar – John Scofield
Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Vocals – Aaron Neville
Written-By – Cindy Walker, Eddie Arnold
13.1    Georgia On My Mind 2:34
Guitar – John Scofield
Written-By – Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell
13.2    (silence)    0:18
13.3    The Hidden Track    5:19