In Montreal
Charlie Haden · 2001
78 min · 9 tracks · jazz
A meditative journey through complex harmonies and improvisational interplay, blending avant-garde textures with a deeply rooted jazz sensibility.
Top tracks — play these first
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Salvador — The opening track establishes the album's reflective tone with intricate melodies that set the stage for improvisational exploration throughout the record.
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Em Família — This piece exemplifies familial themes through its warm interactions among musicians, showcasing Haden's deep emotional connection to the music.
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Don Quixote — The longest track on the album, it embodies a narrative arc that mirrors the titular character's quest, combining expansive solos with collective improvisation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong improvisation and unique textures, making it a notable entry in Haden's discography.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisational sections, with each track allowing musicians to explore complex harmonies without strict adherence to traditional song structures.
- Tracks vary significantly in tempo and mood, with some pieces like 'Silence' creating a stark contrast to the more rhythmically intricate 'Maracatú'.
- The interplay between instruments is often conversational, with solos emerging organically rather than following a predetermined order.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- meditative exploration of sound
- improvisational interplay with depth
- slow, contemplative listening experience
- suitable for reflective solitude
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer structured song formats
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2001, 'In Montreal' captures Charlie Haden during a prolific period in his career following the acclaimed 'Beyond the Missouri Sky' collaboration with Pat Metheny. This album showcases Haden's commitment to exploring deeper jazz concepts while highlighting his mastery of bass within small ensemble settings, reflecting a mature artistry post his earlier work with the Liberation Music Orchestra.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Paul Bley· Keith Jarrett· Ornette Coleman
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Salvador 7:36
- 2 Maracatú 9:21
- 3 First Song 6:28
- 4 Palhaço 9:19
- 5 Silence 9:48
- 6 Em Família 10:03
- 7 Lôro 7:31
- 8 Frevo 6:43
- 9 Don Quixote 12:02
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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