So Near, So Far (Musings For Miles)

Performer: Joe Henderson
Artist: John Scofield; Dave Holland; Al Foster
Engineer: Jim Anderson
Producer: Don Sickler; Joe Henderson; Richard Seidel
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); John Scofield (guitar); Dave Holland (bass); Al Foster (drums). Recorded at the Power Station, New York, New York from October 12-14, 1992. Includes liner notes by Bill Milkowski. "Miles Ahead" won the 1994 Grammy Award for "Jazz Instrumental Solo." "So Near, So Far" won the 1994 Grammy Award for "Jazz Instrumental, Individual or Group." Personnel: Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); John Scofield (guitar); Al Foster (drums). Recording information: Power Station Studios, New York, NY (10/12/1992-10/14/1992). Photographers: David Gahr; Susan Ragan. Arranger: Don Sickler. Joe Henderson's follow-up to his hugely successful Lush Life disc is another concept album, this time involving ten songs (including many lesser-known ones) associated with Miles Davis. Henderson only actually played with Davis for a few weekends around 1967 but he shows a great deal of understanding for this potentially difficult music. With particularly strong assistance from guitarist John Scofield, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Al Foster, Henderson revives such forgotten songs as "Teo," "Swing Spring" and "Side Car" in addition to coming up with fresh interpretations of "Miles Ahead," "Milestones" and "No Blues." He is to be congratulated for not taking the easy way out and sticking to the simpler material of Davis's earlier years. ~ Scott Yanow Although he only played with Miles Davis a handful of times in 1967, saxophonist Joe Henderson understood both the intricacies and the overall vision of the late trumpeter's music. Supported here by a world-class rhythm section, Henderson performs nine Davis selections plus the title track, a song popularized by Davis, but written by Tony Crombie and Benny Green. On SO NEAR, SO FAR (MUSINGS FOR MILES), Henderson combines classic Davis tunes with some of the trumpeter's little-known compositions. The jaunty "Swing Spring" and the highly rhythmic "Side Car" are good examples of some of the rarer material presented on this disc. (Other tunes such as "Miles Ahead," "Milestones," and "Flamenco Sketches" should be more familiar to listeners.) As expected, Henderson and his band navigate their way through these tunes with panache. Guitarist John Scofield's subtle, yet supportive, comping is particularly effective throughout, as is drummer Al Foster's colorful use of percussion. The highlight of the record is the ensemble's hard-swinging version of "Joshua;" the time signature shifts on the bridge are especially complex, but Henderson and company glide through them effortlessly.

Entertainment Weekly (12/31/93, p.117) - Cited by Entertainment Weekly as one of `The Best Jazz Records Of 1993' - "...gorgeously, agelessly, tortured music..." Q (6/93, p.97) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...It's refreshing to reflect on Davis as a composer rather than a soloist or band leader...Particular successes are `Circle' and `Flamenco Sketches,' where Henderson's sax really stretches out..." Down Beat (3/93, p.33) - 5 Stars - Excellent - "...[Henderson] is masterful throughout this well-sequenced program, toasting sublime lyricism on `Miles Ahead,' invoking Iberian mysteries on `Flamenco Sketches,' and summoning fire on `Side Car'...This is an excellent Miles album..." JazzTimes (5/95, p.64) - "...There is a love of material and fellow musicians that is readily apparent in the way these four address this date that really completes the package. This could be the first great record of 1993." Musician (4/93, p.90) - "...every inch as potent as his heralded tribute to Billy Strayhorn....cool and painterly and heroically laid-back..."

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