Guitarist John Scofield salutes the music of the late Ray Charles on his new album, “That’s What I Say.” The 13-track set is due June 7 via Verve and was produced by Steve Jordan, a veteran of sessions with everyone from the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen to jazz legend Sonny Rollins and B.B. King.
“That’s What I Say” marks the first time Scofield has worked with guest vocalists, of which there are several high-profile names here. The track “What’d I Say” boasts appearances by John Mayer, Warren Haynes, Aaron Neville, Dr. John and Mavis Staples, as well as Charles saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman.
Haynes adds bottleneck guitar to “Night Time Is the Right Time,” while Mayer does the same on “I Don’t Need No Doctor.” Neville reappears on vocals on “You Don’t Know Me,” while Dr. John and Staples team on “Talkin’ Bout You/I Got a Woman.”
Scofield will be on tour throughout the rest of the year, and at deadline is scheduled to play several fall shows featuring Charles’ music, including a Sept. 17 appearance at the Monterey (Calif.) Jazz Fest.
Here is the track list for “That’s What I Say”:
“Busted”
“What’d I Say”
“Sticks and Stones”
“I Don’t Need No Doctor”
“Cryin’ Time”
“I Can’t Stop Loving You”
“Hit the Road Jack”
“Talkin’ Bout You”/”I Got a Woman”
“Unchain My Heart (Part 1)”
“Let’s Go Get Stoned”
“Night Time Is the Right Time”
“You Don’t Know Me”
“Georgia on My Mind”
Source billboard.com.
