Highway Rider
Brad Mehldau · 2010
104 min · 15 tracks · jazz
A sweeping jazz odyssey blending intricate piano melodies with expansive orchestral arrangements and evocative storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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John Boy Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Highway Rider — The title track exemplifies the album's thematic journey, with a captivating interplay between piano and strings that encapsulates the spirit of travel and introspection.
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Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith) — This track pays homage to Elliott Smith, weaving melancholy piano motifs with rich harmonies that evoke a deep sense of longing and reflection.
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We'll Cross the River Together — Spanning over twelve minutes, this piece showcases Mehldau's ability to create an expansive narrative through music, blending improvisation with structured themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases complex compositions and orchestral depth, marking a significant evolution in Mehldau's work.
What we noticed
- The album features extended compositions, with several tracks exceeding six minutes, allowing for intricate development of themes.
- Orchestral arrangements complement the piano, creating a layered sound that shifts between intimate and expansive.
- The first half of the album maintains a reflective mood, while the second half introduces more dynamic and varied tempos.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- cinematic soundscapes for reflection
- dynamic exploration of emotions
- patient unfolding with rich textures
- evening drives with open windows
- journeys that invite deep listening
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Represents an artistic evolution with orchestral arrangements and storytelling.
- Career context
- By 2010, Brad Mehldau was already an established figure in contemporary jazz, having released acclaimed albums like 'Largo' and 'Day Is Done'. 'Highway Rider' marked a significant artistic evolution, showcasing his collaboration with the orchestrator and composer Patrick Zimmerli, which expanded his sound into more cinematic territories.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Esbjörn Svensson Trio· Tigran Hamasyan· Robert Glasper
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 John Boy Start here 3:15
- 2 Don't Be Sad 8:40
- 3 At the Tollbooth 1:07
- 4 Highway Rider 7:45
- 5 The Falcon Will Fly Again 8:21
- 6 Now You Must Climb Alone 4:05
- 7 Walking the Peak 8:00
Disc 2
- 1 We'll Cross the River Together 12:28
- 2 Capriccio 5:20
- 3 Sky Turning Grey (For Elliott Smith) 6:24
- 4 Into the City 7:36
- 5 Old West 8:28
- 6 Come With Me 6:19
- 7 Always Departing 6:20
- 8 Always Returning 9:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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