John Scofield - Time on My Hands (Blue Note, 1990)

This post is by Dan

John Scofield (g); Joe Lovano (ts); Charlie Haden (b); Jack DeJohnette (d)

Recorded September 11-13. 1989

I recall the Downbeat review that hailed John Scofield's Time on My Hands as his "breakthrough album." Scofield had already established a formidable string of albums during the 1980s, including the critically acclaimed Still Warm, Electric Outlet, and Shinola. So what was he breaking through?

The answer, somewhat predictably, is that Scofield had broken "out" of his funky fusion guitar-hero identity and "into" mainstream jazz. By teaming him with Joe Lovano, Charlie Haden and Jack DeJohnette, Blue Note had surrounded Scofield with "proper" jazz players. Such was the self-righteousness of jazz traditionalists as late as 1989.

The irony is that Scofield bent traditional jazz more toward his musical inclinations than adopting a more conservative, mainstream persona. Jazz was to benefit from his incredible technique, his funkiness, and his longevity. Now in his early 70s, he's still releasing albums on labels like Impulse, Verve, Motéma, and ECM. 

The program on Time on My Hands ranges from funky ("Wabash III") to laid back ("Since You Asked"), to free ("So Sue Me"), to beguiling ("Flower Power" - my favorite). The band appear eager to wrap their heads around Scofield's compositions and arrangements. They sound like they "got it" immediately, especially Lovano who, to my ears, sounds like he's having more fun than on any of his own recordings. He and Scofield play a unison melody on the pretty "Let's Say We Did," a song that should have lyrics written for it. Haden also seems to enjoy a vacation from his heavier assignments. 

I was pleasantly surprised when Blue Note included Time on My Hands in their 75th anniversary vinyl reissue program, remastered by Bob Ludwig, no less. There are eight tracks on the LP compared to 11 on the CD, but I like the sound quality of the vinyl better. 

If you like to watch guitarists play, I recommend Scofield's Blu-Ray DVD New Morning: The Paris Concert (Inakustic, 2010). Sound and vision, as well as the music, are outstanding!

Scofield and Lovano recently reunited for Past Present (Impulse, 2015), playing another set of Scofield's compositions. The quartet is completed with Larry Grenadier on bass and Bill Stewart on drums.