Long Ago and Far Away
Charlie Haden · 2018
71 min · 6 tracks · jazz
A lush interplay of haunting melodies and intricate harmonies, blending traditional jazz with avant-garde sensibilities.
Top tracks — play these first
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Au Privave — This track exemplifies the album's blend of improvisation and structured melody, featuring a dynamic exchange between Haden and Mehldau that showcases their deep musical rapport.
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What’ll I Do — The rendition of this classic song highlights Haden's ability to infuse personal emotion into timeless standards, creating an intimate listening experience.
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Long Ago and Far Away — The title track stands out for its expansive arrangement, allowing for both reflective moments and soaring improvisational passages that capture the essence of nostalgia.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong melodic writing and intricate interplay, making it rewarding for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of sparse instrumentation, allowing the interplay between bass and piano to create a conversational dynamic.
- Each track maintains a slow to mid-tempo pace, with an emphasis on melodic development rather than rhythmic complexity.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- haunting melodies that linger
- long reflective listening sessions
- intricate harmonies for deep focus
- emotional depth in every track
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- seek short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2018, Long Ago and Far Away is a collaborative effort between Charlie Haden and pianist Brad Mehldau, marking Haden’s final studio album before his passing. This project showcases Haden's continued exploration of melody and emotion in his later years, solidifying his legacy as a pivotal figure in contemporary jazz.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Paul Bley· Keith Jarrett· Ornette Coleman
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Au Privave 9:55
- 2 My Old Flame 9:14
- 3 What’ll I Do 12:00
- 4 Long Ago and Far Away 15:05
- 5 My Love and I 12:59
- 6 Everything Happens to Me 12:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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