Today, GuitarWorld.com presents the exclusive premiere of Far As I Can See, the new album by guitarist-singer-songwriter Matt Schofield.
The album, which will be released February 18, is his debut release through Provouge Records.
Schofield's career has been gaining momentum for the last several years on both sides of the Atlantic. Successful runs in the U.K., Europe and North America have been met with much acclaim and bigger and bigger audiences.
The new album is Schofield's fifth, and it offers two covers from his heroes plus nine original tracks. Fans will anticipate the epic slow blues of "The Day You Left," as the guitarist re-harmonizes a traditional 12-bar form. The recording on the album is the first take he played in the studio — totally live.
"Clean Break" is a classic trio shuffle; "Getaway" shows Schofield is eager to continue finding new ways to play the blues, integrating odd time signatures into the genre.
"You don't find this approach much in the genre, new or old," he says. "To make it work, the unusual time, in this case 7/8, has to be especially groovy, with just the right feel. The end result makes for uniquely tense solo sections where the lines played on guitar have to weave around the time."
Other tracks include "Tell Me Some Lies," his nod to Jimmie Vaughan, and "Red Dragon," a tribute to Jimi Hendrix's approach to the blues — one take, all live, late at night, with the band following his every move.
Schofield pays his respects to Albert King with "Breaking Up Somebody's Home." Regarding the album's other cover song, "Yellow Moon," Schofield says, "It's funky New Orleans blues, originally done by the Neville Brothers and produced by Daniel Lanois, who we’re a big fan of."
For more about Schofield, visit mattschofield.com and his Facebook page. You can check out his current tour dates below the album stream.
Matt Schofield on Tour 2014:
3/12 Marlboro, NY The Falcon
3/13 Ridgefield, CT The Ridgefield Playhouse
3/14 Natick, MA The Center For Arts In Natick
3/15 Fall River, MA Narrows Center For The Arts
3/16 Northampton, MA Iron Horse Music Hall
3/17 New York, NY Iridium Jazz Club
3/19 Wilmington, DE World Cafe Live at The Queen
3/20 Annapolis, MD Ram's Head On Stage
3/21 Plains, PA River Street Jazz Cafe
3/22 Richmond, VA Capital Ale House
3/23 Raleigh, NC Pour House Music Hall
4/06 Boca Raton, FL The Funky Biscuit
4/11 St. Petersburg, FL Tampa Bay Blues Festival
4/12 Live Oak, FL Wanee Music Festival
