John Scofield, Steve Swallow, Bill Stewart

[Robobo1]

I have the pleasure of recording this trio in November. Personnell is not solidified yet, but it's most likely these guys.

Anyone worked with these folks? Anyone know anything about their most recent recording "This Meets That" with James Farber? Especially interested to know how he captured Swallow's low, low, low bass tones so clearly.

I'm excited about this one!

[studjo]

hey man congrats for that gig - I have no clue about the recording of those guys but if you got a cold on that day - just call me - I'd be glad to fill in

Seriously congrats - I love that trio


Jo

[Robobo1]

Originally Posted by studjo

hey man congrats for that gig - I have no clue about the recording of those guys but if you got a cold on that day - just call me - I'd be glad to fill in

Seriously congrats - I love that trio


Jo

Thanks Jo... though it's really through no direct connection to the band. I just happen to be lucky enough to be the house engineer here!

[studjo]

you know with gigs like this I only try not to stand in the way of the music - they'll mix themselve. Regarding Steve's low end: I think it's in Steve's fingers don't worry too much


Jo

[Remoteness]

Awesome...

So, you're doing FOH -- excellent news!

Consider turning this thread (or start a new one) into a "gig report."

What's the name of the venue you're at?

All the best!

[Robobo1]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

Awesome...

So, you're doing FOH -- excellent news!

Consider turning this thread (or start a new one) into a "gig report."

What's the name of the venue you're at?

All the best!

No, no FOH for this guy. I don't have the cajones for that

I'm an engineer with NPR in Washington, DC.

You know, I re-read my post and it might seem like I'm name-dropping... that's not my intention! Definitely trying to find info on anyone's recording experiences with these guys.

And not to mention that Bill Stewart is one of my favorite drummers, and he always has a great sound on records. I see it as my job not to F it up!

[ajfarber]

Originally Posted by Robobo1

I have the pleasure of recording this trio in November. Personnell is not solidified yet, but it's most likely these guys.

Anyone worked with these folks? Anyone know anything about their most recent recording "This Meets That" with James Farber? Especially interested to know how he captured Swallow's low, low, low bass tones so clearly.

I'm excited about this one!

I played with Bill Stewart a few times almost 20 years ago at the old "Augie's" (now "Smoke")in NYC. Since than I've heard him a handful of times with Larry Goldings and Pete Bernstein. He doesn't play too loud, and his cymbal sound is tight and crisp.

I've only heard Swallow on a couple of Gary Burton records, if you don't count his early acoustic bass recordings with George Russell. I saw him live about 25 years ago too. As I recall, he has the most unusual electric bass guitar sound I've ever heard. All bass and no mids or highs. He used a weird axe that seemed to lack magnetic pick-ups. It must have had a transducer or something in the tail-piece. Swallow used a pick too, which is particularly bizarre for a jazz player. Really hip sound! I guess if you have to play jazz with an electric bass, it's best to acquire a hip sound, and Swallow's got it. I couldn't guess as to how to capture it. Actually, I could guess. I would get the most accurate condenser mic you've got, and mic his amp. Take a DI just for "shits-and-giggles" too.

[mal]

I broadcast & recorded the trio live in Melbourne a few years ago during a jazz festival..from memory it was only 3 mics on the drums..2 x oheads and a kik..J Scofield had 2 x 57s on his Vox AC30 (one on each speaker) which meant I could spread the image a bit..Steve Swallow I think was DI'd and a mic on his amp..Bill Stewart prefers (at least live) the minimalist approach so he can keep control of his own balance...Steve Swallow is marvellous..his sound has the bottom and tops that fits in beautifully with the mids of Scofield.....

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by Robobo1

No, no FOH for this guy. I don't have the cajones for that

I'm an engineer with NPR in Washington, DC.

You know, I re-read my post and it might seem like I'm name-dropping... that's not my intention! Definitely trying to find info on anyone's recording experiences with these guys.

And not to mention that Bill Stewart is one of my favorite drummers, and he always has a great sound on records. I see it as my job not to F it up!

Is it me or did you edit your original post?

Now it's much more straight forward about recording this event.
It didn't (or I miss read) come off that way at first.
That is why I thought you were doing FOH at this venue.

In any event, all the best and please consider turning this into a "gig report" thread.

Awesome!

[Robobo1]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

Is it me or did you edit your original post?
Now it's much more straight forward about recording this event.
It didn't (or I miss read) come off that way at first.
That is why I thought you were doing FOH at this venue.
In any event, all the best and please consider turning this into a "gig report" thread.

Awesome!

I think it's you I don't think I edited it.

I'll definitely turn it into a gig report.

So, who out there has worked with any of these guys? Spill it! Wish James Farber was on this board...

[blaugruen7]

Originally Posted by Robobo1

Wish James Farber was on this board...

that would be cool.

[studjo]

Originally Posted by blaugruen7

that would be cool.

ditto

[Robobo1]

This gig was cancelled due to a PR error.

[5down1up]

oh man, sorry to hear !

[studjo]

shit - inspired by this thread I bought the latest Sco record with Swallow and Stewart - friggin awesome - love every sample of it.

If I only could play like that - James Farber did a stellar job once more. One day I wanna be fly on the wall on one of his sessions

Jo

[Robobo1]

Originally Posted by studjo

shit - inspired by this thread I bought the latest Sco record with Swallow and Stewart - friggin awesome - love every sample of it.

If I only could play like that - James Farber did a stellar job once more. One day I wanna be fly on the wall on one of his sessions
Jo

You and me both!

You're right, it is a great recording... but I honestly didn't think so until I listened to it with my Benchmark DAC-1. For whatever reason, the recording sounded a bit incohesive to me, both at home and in the studio... but yesterday on a whim I listened to it through the DAC-1 and it was full of depth and sounded absolutely wonderful.

[NOLAfishwater]

I love John Scofield. His "A Go Go" album is one that receives a great deal of playtime in my jukebox. He was out on the road with Medeski Martin &
Wood this summer. I have a couple for trade if anyone is interested. Thanks for the heads up on Swallow and Stewart. Will have to buy that album now.

[henryrobinett]

Originally Posted by Drone

when i hear Scofield i think "funky elevator music"
Awesome !

Well my favorite Sco records are "Time on my Hands" and also his playing on Joe Hendersons "So Near, So Far." Both are far from funky elevator music. Though he has been doing a lot of that as of late.

His latest is OK. Recording sounds good, except I can't stand the sound of his guitar. Almost sounds direct, after pedal effects. It just grinds on me. But as usual, the playing is first rate as is the writing.

[studjo]

Henry you heard him live?
I fear that guitar sound is exactly what he wants to hear - over the years I learned to love that sound

Jo

[henryrobinett]

I've heard him live a couple of times. I opened up for him a few years ago. No, I'm not knocking the engineer. I love James Farbers work! I suspect that sound is exactly what Sco's after.

[studjo]

it's all cool man - opening for Sco and you're a guitar player???

[henryrobinett]

Originally Posted by studjo

it's all cool man - opening for Sco and you're a guitar player???

Yeah. I had a jazz quartet with a piano player and upright bass. We did an original of mine, Wayne Shorters Pinocchio and a few jazz standards. It was a blast. Sco stood there while I was doing our sound check and watched me warm up. That was cool. Nearly jumped out of my skin when I looked around and there he was standing right in front of me! He just looked at me, nodded and smiled.

[santibanks]

anyone checked his latest effort with MMW? Out louder. Have it here, sounds much more experimental then Agogo with even mellotrons added now for some fun. My version also has an extra bonusdisk with some of their songs played live. I really enjoy it ! Recommended stuff.

[santibanks]

Originally Posted by Drone

I guess I have this perspective because I was really into the A GO GO album for a while.
There's something really appealing to me about the chords & the flatness on that album. Almost like its under polished.

I haven't had a chance to check out his other albums yet but hope they have some of that flavor !

yeah the new album is like that, but far more experimental. Its a very big and fat sound, though there are only drums, bass, keyboards(organ, mellotron) and scofield on guitar.

Scofields music always makes me happy and smiling

[Robobo1]

You guys should check out "Trio Beyond" with Scofield, Jack Dejohnette, and Larry Goldings! AND, my all-time favorite, "Works for Me", one of the last few recordings of Billy Higgins before he passed away.

[taturana]

i for one would recommend sco´s "grace under pressure".... i guess it´s my favorite, and i do have most of his records...he´s one of my favorites by far...

and yeah, I dig the guitar sound, it just makes him sound different than other jazz guitarists... and he is awesome... especially live...

[henryrobinett]

I have to also say that he's one of my favorites. He's quirky. I love his playing and writing style.

[taturana]

Originally Posted by rainy-taxi

yeah the new album is like that, but far more experimental. Its a very big and fat sound, though there are only drums, bass, keyboards(organ, mellotron) and scofield on guitar.

i have to listen to that... i really like the stuff he did with mmw... and medeski with mellotrons must be fun to listen to...

[edwinhurwitz]

OK, this is weird. I bought This Meets That and what falls out when I open it but an invitation to get Scofield ringtones! Who would have thought?


Edwin
PS In almost every recording I have heard with Sco and Swallow, Swallow is mixed too low. Especially considering the incredible sound he gets live. I know that acoustic basses are traditionally fairly low in the mix in traditional jazz, but to my ear, there is no reason to have an electric bass be one of those instruments you have to really struggle to hear. Their set at the Telluride Jazz Festival in 2005 was just stellar in music and sound.

[Kronos147]

Originally Posted by Robobo1

Wish James Farber was on this board...

He is my idol!