BRAD MEHLDAU TRIO: Ode
Nonesuch, 2012

MODERN JAZZ – Pianist Mehldau returns to his dynamite trio with Larry Grenadier on bass and Jeff Ballard on drums for their first studio session since 2005(!). The tunes are mostly tributes to other people, real or fictional (or, intriguingly, their nicknames), and Mehldau’s deeply personal touch gives them the feel of intimate portraits. A strong disc.

All solid. Fo’s Picks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9

1. 7:46 – upbeat, bustling, but with a bittersweet bite; slightly spiky piano solo
2. 6:20 – warm, quick pulse: holds position at first, but turns very lyrical
3. 7:50 – sunny sound: catchy theme is repeated, refracted, and embroidered
4. 7:25 – really nice, low-key stroll: piano calmly expands on the theme
5. 6:42 – cute little blues, somewhat warped; bass solos, piano wanders
6. 5:42 – excellent rhythm and a quietly joyous melody; sweet piano flight
7. 4:54 – cool shadowy walk, harmonic shadings get richer as it goes along
8. 5:24 – sly bebop: rushing tempo, piano dances around the edges
9. 9:23 – solemn theme, then flowing improv: searching piano, open rhythm
10. 4:49 – bright and optimistic, lightly heroic, almost like a theme song
11. 9:01 – warm, upbeat ballad: very sweet (but not sappy), gently expands

[ Fo ] - April 2012