JOHN SCOFIELD & DAVE HOLLAND

MEMORIES OF HOME

ECM Label (Germany)

John Scofield, guitar; Dave Holland, double bass.

Scofield and Holland walk briskly across my listening room, opening this duo album with an original composition by John Scofield called “Icons at the Fair.” The two contemporary jazz masters have known each other for years and enjoy playing together.  The two musicians have both worked with Herbie Hancock and Joe Henderson.  They also participated in a co-led band with Joe Lovano and Al Foster called ScoLoHoFo.  However, this is their debut duo album.

“I honestly don’t recall when or how we first discussed playing duo together.  It was quite a while ago.  We had an entire tour scheduled that was scrapped in 2020 due to the pandemic.  We did it in late 2021, and it worked well.  We did a second tour in 2024, where the idea of recording was a natural conclusion. This record, like our live shows, features tunes each of us composed. … We share decades of common references musically.  The similarities and differences in our approaches make for a more interesting collaboration,” John Scofield explained.

That first tune that John Scofield wrote could be a flashback to days playing with Miles Davis from 1982-1985.  Holland too spent time with Davis from 1968 to 1970.  According to liner notes, “Icons at the Fair” was inspired by both Miles and Herbie Hancock’s arrangement of “Scarborough Fair.”  Some seven years ago he recorded this on his “Combo 66” album with a full lineup of jazz excellence.  Although the duo does it their own, unique way, it still captures the energy that John’s composition pulsates.

Holland’s “Mr. B” is a tribute to his double bass jazz hero, Ray Brown.  He originally recorded this tribute to Ray Brown on his 1997 album, “Points of View.”  It has a deep blues feel and swings, letting Scofield’s guitar artistry shine. When Holland takes his bass solo, he conveys that sense of joy and bass mastery that Ray Brown always brought to the bandstand.

Together, these two good friends and magical musicians lend us an hour of recorded entertainment that sooths the soul.  Their music is comfortable and invites listeners to come inside their world and enjoy their amazing duo talents. Although not on this album, their “Live” video performance of “Yesterdays” at the Blue Note Club speaks for itself.

Their title tune closes this album out with “Memoires of Home,” written by Dave Holland with sprinkles of Bluegrass music seasoning the song like salt in the stew.  It summarizes the delicious clarity and beauty that these two string masters share, and what they offer us with each beautifully recorded original on this album.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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