What can I say about That’s What I Say, John Scofield’s tribute to Ray Charles? It’s fun. It’s a celebration. It’s a party with Sco, Larry Goldings, Steve Jordan, John Mayer, Dr. John, Mavis Staples, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Aaron Neville, Warren Haynes, Willie Weeks, and many more.

Needless to say, there is some soul on this recording. Many of Ray’s best known songs are covered, some in an intimate setting such as Sco solo on ‘Georgia on My Mind’ and Scoldings’ (Sco and Goldings) duet on “Cryin’ Time.” The horn section of Alex Foster, Earl Gardner, Howard Johnson, and Keith O’Quinn kick their tracks up a notch. All of the musicians, including the five vocalists, jam on “What’d I Say.”

Scofield has different arrangements for some of the songs, preventing it from becoming just a cover album.

That’s What I Say is on the Verve label.