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Scott Sawyer: Change of Scene

By Doug Collette
November 23, 2022
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Notwithstanding a history including associations with the varied likes of famed jazz fretboardists

John Abercrombie

guitar
1944 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">John Abercrombie, and Chris Stamey of the veteran power popsters the dBs, guitarist Scott Sawyer may have the lowest public profile of the three musicians appearing on Change of Scene. Still, it certainly says something about his reputation, not to mention his chops, that he can attract the likes of bassist

Oteil Burbridge

bass
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Oteil Burbridge (Col. Bruce Hampton's Aquarium Rescue Unit, the Allman Brothers Band),

Dead Combo

" data-original-title="" title="">Dead Combo) and drummer

Scott Amendola

drums
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Amendola (

Charlie Hunter

guitar
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Hunter, Wil Blades).

The trio's choice of material for this all-instrumental, sixth longplayer of the leader's is certainly in keeping with the diverse history upon which the collaboration is based. A gentle reading of

Jerry Garcia

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter's exquisite ballad for the

Grateful Dead

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Grateful Dead, "Stella Blue," fittingly appears right next to—and is of a delicate piece with—

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis' "Nardis." (also give much cachet by the latter's one-time collaborator the late pianist

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans). Meanwhile, a most dramatic take on

The Doors

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">The Doors' "The Crystal Ship" is the penultimate cut of the eight here, on an album with a running a total of some fifty-eight=plus minutes. The track makes for a fittingly emphatic conclusion.

It is indicative of the depth to Change of Scene that those numbers appear in the wake of the liquid guitar and bass lines plus light even-handed drum work on "Passing By." In its moody air conjured by the threesome's fluid interplay, it's an ideal opener as well as an effective setup to what is essentially a slow blues in the form of "Might Dom," and none of these three musicians are forced to strain in order to mesh.

Accordingly, there's no overplaying on a track like "What It Is." Sawyer, Burbridge and Amendola share a confidence that allows them to utilize the space between their respective instruments as effectively as the sounds. And, thanks to the engineering expertise of Jason Richmond, both audio elements become fully complementary. As do the most finely-etched touches on "Side Step," one the four Sawyer originals here, where the filigree in the musicianship is delicious. Such detailed action is the rule on this record, not the exception.

Eye-pleasing as is Denise Halbe's art design for this digi-pak, the cover photo adorning Change of Scene might more accurately depict the insinuating three-way dynamic behind it: a superimposition of images including bass and drums plus guitar perhaps? Still, there's no denying the logic of this collaboration or the subtle delight it affords upon (repeatedly) hearing it.

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Track Listing

Passing By; Mighty Dom; What It Is; Stella Blue; Nardis; Side Step; The Crystal Ship; Under The Stars.

Personnel

Scott Sawyer

guitar

Scott Amendola

drums

Oteil Burbridge

bass

Additional Instrumentation

Scott Amendola: percussion, electronics.

Album information

Title: Change of Scene | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Self Produced

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