“Supergroup” get-togethers, like All Star games, can be dangerous things, as the meeting can become more gentlemanly than sport-like. This one works exceedingly well, as the ideas and execution from all stars Jack DeJohnette/dr, Larry Grenadier/b, John Medeski/p-key and John Scofield/g demonstrate that iron can still sharpen iron, as the Bible promises.While it’s impossible to read minds about who set the song selections and moods, it’s intriguing that most of the material is either Baby Boomer hits or anthems for peace. Of the latter, DeJohnette brings in American Indian flutes, drums and voices for “Great Spirit Peace Chant,” a meditative rubato with Grenadier’s bowed bass on “Song For World Forgiveness” and even brings in some gospel tinged vocals on the preaching and defiant “Dirty Ground.”
More “Summer of Love” messages abound, as Medeski’s piano and Grenadier’s bass get blue on Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock,” Scofield picks and snaps on a slightly reggae’d read of Bob Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay,” and DeJohnette snaps everyone to attention on Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” while the team has some swampy fun with Jimi Hendrix’s “Wait Until Tomorrow” and Robbie Robertson’s “Cripple Creek.”
The original material by Scofield ranges from a fun boogie on “Tony Then Jack” to darker hues as on the foreboding “El Swing” and the stark and moody title track. Scofield has an extra assertion to his picking here, almost bending and snapping like Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde, while Medeski adds brooding keys and sepia tones. The music definitely conveys a theme in song selection and delivery, mixing mirth and message.
The band is touring right now, so check them out; should be interesting.