scottb Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 I'm queing up my Yourmusic selections and I have 3 or 4 Brad Mehldau titles on the list and I thinking of pushing one to the top for next month. Which would you choose? By the way, I would probably prefer an ensemble rather than solo effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Kat Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 you would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 (edited) If I were gonna pick just one Mehldau title to suggest, I'd go with "Art of the Trio Vol 3. - The Songs". Although, one could probably argue that nearly all of his releases are uniformly good – and, well -- they're also all uniformly uniform. Or at least that’s probably the case for all of his trio records (the category which the majority of his releases fall under). In that sense, practically any of his “Art of the Trio” records (vols. 1-5) are equally worthy of a spin. I guess I could add that the “live” ones (Art of the Trio - vols 2, 4 & 5), are probably more adventuresome than the “studio” ones (vols 1 & 3 -- plus his “Introducing Brad Mehldau” debut release, and his most recent trio record: “Anything Goes”). The oddball Mehldau releases are as follows… “Largo” was produced by a Rock producer, and is by far the most adventuresome record Brad’s ever turned out (at least IMHO). It has an extended line-up, including a brass quintet on some tracks, a woodwind quintet on others, and Brad plays vibes on some tracks. Some love it, some dislike it (including some who probably really dislike it). It ain’t a perfect record, but at least Brad was trying new things – and that ALWAYS gets points in my book. That said, I think it’s a VERY interesting release, and one I’m very glad I own. More oddballs... “Elegiac Cycle” is a solo disc, and is really outstanding (IMHO). “Places” is half solo, and half trio tunes, and is also quite good (and the solo tunes alternate with the trio tunes - and the effect works quite well). “Live in Tokyo” is another solo outing (which I haven’t heard yet). Still, all that said, if I were picking just one -- I'd still probably go with "Art of the Trio Vol 3. - The Songs". Anybody think otherwise?? Happy to hear what others think about Brad's output. Edited August 31, 2005 by Rooster_Ties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Berger Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 I really like his work on the two charles Lloyd albums The Water Is Wide and Hyperion with Higgins. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottb Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Well how about your next choice RT? Yourmusic only has Art of the Trio 1 and 4, Places, Largo, Live in Tokyo and Anything Goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Berger Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Well how about your next choice RT? Yourmusic only has Art of the Trio 1 and 4, Places, Largo, Live in Tokyo and Anything Goes ← I've only heard AotT4 and it pushed getting more Mehldau stuff way down the priority list for me. A great version of "Exit Music for a Film", though. If the solo disc is anywhere near the quality of his set at the Newport Jazz Festival this year, it's worth getting. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfred Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 (edited) Well how about your next choice RT? Yourmusic only has Art of the Trio 1 and 4, Places, Largo, Live in Tokyo and Anything Goes ← I would buy in this order: Art of the Trio Vol.1 Art of the Trio Vol.4 Anything goes Largo Live in Tokyo is a solo concert with very good moments. His Radiohead song interpretation is great. Edited September 3, 2005 by Alfred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnhrtg Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 I would get, in order of preference, Art of the Trio 4, Art of the Trio 1, Largo, and Anything Goes. Though I'm only certain about putting Art of the Trio 4 first. If you can find the other volumes, I would go for Art of the Trio 3 and 2 before anything else (and, actually, I would think those two would suffice unless yuo become a big fan). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 I prefer the live dates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathan Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 (edited) In my opinion, almost every one of them is great, but my personal list would look like this: 1. Art of the Trio 3: Songs (a great, concice introduction...plus it features one of my favorite solos, on the 1st tune) 2. Art of the Trio 2 (live Vanguard date...as epic as Songs is concise) 3. Anything Goes 4. Art of the Trio 4 (another great Vanguard date) 5. Elegiac Cycle (some people aren't into solo Mehldau, and while I am not so much into the recent Live in Tokyo, I love this one) Enjoy! And if you get a chance to catch the trio live, don't miss it. nathan Edited August 31, 2005 by nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathan Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Sorry, quick P.S. with couple more things: 1. I enthusiastically second the above recommendation for Charles Lloyd's The Water is Wide...great album, with wonderful playing by all, including Mehldau at his best. And Billy Higgins. 2. I haven't heard much about a fantastic duo recording Brad did with saxophonist Joel Frahm last year. It's called Don't Explain, and it's a gorgeous record well worth searching out. nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnhrtg Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Yes, I also forgot about The Water is Wide, quite a good album overall with 4-5 amazing tracks. Mehldau's contributions are very strong, his (well everybody's actually) solos on those first couple of tracks are themselves worth the money, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonym Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 I prefer the live dates. ← Yep, me too. I'm always a happy man when I put on the Vol. 4 and 5 discs. BIG for his Charles Lloyd efforts too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie87 Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 ..just noticed on Alan's site: Sept 27: Brad Mehldau Trio - Day is Done Appears Jeff Ballard is now the drummer in the trio, replacing Jorge Rossy. This one includes covers of "Alfie", "Martha My Dear", "She's Leaving Home", and "50 Ways to Leave your Lover". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnhrtg Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 I thought Anything Goes was ok, I was satisfied with the performance of about half of the tunes and the rest seemed run-of-the-mill, which would have been ok to see in concert but not strong enough on the record for me to return to repeatedly. I hope Day is Done is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdogus Posted October 8, 2005 Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 (edited) Okay, so here's a question about Mehldau's trio records. We have (so far) five releases either titled or subtitled The Art of the Trio, and three releases by the trio that are not so entitled: The Art of the Trio, Volume One (1997) Live at the Village Vanguard: The Art of the Trio, Volume Two (1998) Songs: The Art of the Trio, Volume Three (1998) The Art of the Trio, Volume 4: Back at the Vanguard (1999) Places (2000) Progression: Art of the Trio, Volume 5 (2001) Anything Goes (2004) Day is Done (2005) So, why aren't Places and Anything Goes "Art of the Trio" records? When Places was released, I thought maybe that Mehldau had abandoned that motif - but then Progression: The Art of the Trio, Volume 5 comes along. Then another non-"Art of the Trio" release with Anything Goes. I can understand dropping the franchise title with the latest release, since Jeff Ballard replaces trio original Jorge Rossy on drums. But the earlier inconsistency seems random. Stupid question, but looking for insight. Edited October 8, 2005 by gdogus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Wheel Posted October 9, 2005 Report Share Posted October 9, 2005 Is it possible that the material on volume 5 was actually recorded before Places? Maybe WB had some material in the can that was ready to go, they just weren't ready to release a 2CD set right away for whatever reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdogus Posted October 9, 2005 Report Share Posted October 9, 2005 (edited) Is it possible that the material on volume 5 was actually recorded before Places? Maybe WB had some material in the can that was ready to go, they just weren't ready to release a 2CD set right away for whatever reason. ← Good guess, but - nope. Places was recorded in early 2000, Volume 5 in late September 2000. Still wondering about the trivial... Edited October 9, 2005 by gdogus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
md655321 Posted October 9, 2005 Report Share Posted October 9, 2005 Isnt about half of Places solo pieces? And then, maybe starting with anything goes (and largo) he is abndoning the art of the trio moniker. makes sense to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdogus Posted October 9, 2005 Report Share Posted October 9, 2005 Isnt about half of Places solo pieces? And then, maybe starting with anything goes (and largo) he is abndoning the art of the trio moniker. makes sense to me. ← Ah, now that does make sense. Didn't realize there was so much solo stuff on Places. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted October 10, 2005 Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 From what I've heard, Mr Mehldau has a bad case of happy fingers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis_M Posted October 10, 2005 Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 Mehldau is a wonderful player IMO, but I do think you only need a half dozen or so CD's to get the idea. I like his solo stuff better than the trios. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted October 10, 2005 Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 ...you only need a half dozen or so CD's to get the idea.← Not a friggin' chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost of miles Posted December 1, 2005 Report Share Posted December 1, 2005 Listening to the latest for the first time today, and "Knives Out" is a strong start so far. He's doing more with it... sometimes in the past he's covered pop tunes and hasn't gone very far from statements of the melody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fer Urbina Posted December 2, 2005 Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 Okay, so here's a question about Mehldau's trio records. We have (so far) five releases either titled or subtitled The Art of the Trio, and three releases by the trio that are not so entitled: The Art of the Trio, Volume One (1997) Live at the Village Vanguard: The Art of the Trio, Volume Two (1998) Songs: The Art of the Trio, Volume Three (1998) The Art of the Trio, Volume 4: Back at the Vanguard (1999) Places (2000) Progression: Art of the Trio, Volume 5 (2001) Anything Goes (2004) Day is Done (2005) For the sake of completeness (haven't actually listened to it) you should add this: Brad Mehldau & Jorge Rossy Trio: When I Fall In Love (Fresh Sound New Talent, FSNT-007) Featuring: Brad Mehldau (p), Mario Rossy (b), Jordi Rossy (d) Tracklisting: 1. Anthropology 2. At A Loss 3. When I Fall In Love 4. Countdown 5. Convalescent 6. I Fall In Love Too Easily 7. I Didn't Know What Time It Was Recorded in Barcelona, 1993 F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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