Brad Mehldau Trio Live
Brad Mehldau · 2008
156 min · 13 tracks · jazz
A dynamic interplay of jazz standards and contemporary classics, highlighted by improvisational brilliance and emotive piano melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Wonderwall Start here — The trio's rendition transforms this pop classic into a meditative jazz exploration, highlighting Mehldau’s ability to reinterpret familiar melodies with depth and sophistication.
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Black Hole Sun — This track exemplifies the trio's improvisational prowess, as they weave intricate harmonies and unexpected rhythmic shifts around the haunting melody of Soundgarden’s hit.
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More Than You Know — A poignant ballad that showcases Mehldau's lyrical piano style and expressive phrasing, it encapsulates the emotional core of the album with its lush arrangements.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album highlights strong improvisation and varied arrangements, making it rewarding for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisational sections, with several tracks exceeding eight minutes, allowing for deep exploration of themes.
- Each track showcases a different arrangement style, from the rhythmic complexity of 'Ruby's Rub' to the lyrical interpretation in 'Wonderwall'.
- The trio often engages in call-and-response patterns, creating a dynamic interplay between piano, bass, and drums throughout the performance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic improvisation in live setting
- wave-like pacing with emotional peaks
- thoughtful exploration of familiar tunes
- satisfying long-form musical journeys
Maybe skip if you
- prefer concise, radio-friendly tracks
- seek instant gratification from music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album features ambitious covers, gaining wider recognition beyond jazz.
- Career context
- In 2008, Brad Mehldau was already an established figure in the jazz world, known for his innovative approaches. 'Brad Mehldau Trio Live' followed the critically acclaimed 'House on Hill' from 2006, showcasing his trio's synergy and growth in live performance settings. This album captures a period where Mehldau was blending traditional jazz with modern influences, solidifying his unique voice.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Esbjörn Svensson Trio· Tigran Hamasyan· Robert Glasper
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Introduction 0:14
- 2 Wonderwall Start here 8:44
- 3 Ruby's Rub 13:07
- 4 O Que Será 10:37
- 5 B flat Waltz 9:10
- 6 Black Hole Sun 23:30
- 7 The Very Thought of You 13:03
Disc 2
- 1 Buddha Realm 11:59
- 2 Fit Cat 10:40
- 3 Secret Beach 11:35
- 4 C.T.A. 16:16
- 5 More Than You Know 12:08
- 6 Countdown 14:56
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Leucocyte
Esbjörn Svensson Trio
Explores intricate improvisation and emotive melodies, blending jazz with contemporary sounds.
Black Radio
Robert Glasper
Merges jazz with modern influences and collaborative energy, emphasizing emotive piano and dynamic interplay.
Choose Your Weapon
Hiatus Kaiyote
Combines jazz-influenced harmonies with soulful vocals and improvisational elements in a contemporary context.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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