Brad Mehldau Trio

Hi Nuno. I'm a huge Mehldau fan and certainly not one of those who thinks he just has 'happy fingers'.
In my opinion, start with either Vol.1 , 3 or 5 from the Art Of The Trio series.
The 'tunes' are present, in that he plays melodically some very good material. I think this one

is the best of his earlier dates.

Of his later stuff, the session that yeilded Day Is Done and House On HIll is great. The latter album (all original compositions) being the more interesting.
Also, check out his playing on a couple of ECM dates with Charles Lloyd, The Water Is Wide being a perfect example of how he foils with an extravagant leader.
For a more egalitarian and fanciful date look up the trio discs with Konitz and Haden on Blue Note.

And yes, look up more trio dates from other leaders. If you like Jarrett's Tokyo disc for example, then you'll certainly appreciate Bill Evans from any period.
Bobo Stenson is also a pianist who has the deft touch and careful phrasing of any of the above names.
Also on ECM, Marcin Wasilewski (Tomasz Stanko's pianist) released a fantastic album, Trio, a couple of years ago.

I'd also give Steve Kuhn and Jessica Williams a look--both masterful pianists.

Thank you for the reply.
I´ve got a Tomas Stanko Quartet album,"Soul of things".
I will check the another Brad mehldau albuns,asap.

I agree with much of what's already been said here. If piano trios float your boat, just about any trio albums by the following pianists are great:

Keith Jarrett
Bill Evans
Brad Mehldau
Kenny Werner
Fred Hersch
Bobo Stenson
Art Lande
Paul Bley
Larry Goldings
Herbie Hancock
John Taylor
Lyle Mays
Marc Copland
Steve Kuhn
Tord Gustavsen
Marcin Wasilewski
Vassilis Tsabropoulos
Chick Corea (not all of his stuff is great, especially later career, but his earlier album Now He Sings, Now He Sobs is an absolute must-have ... an iconic piano trio album as good as any)

At the very least, the essential are Evans, Jarrett, Mehldau, and the album by Chick.

Also, while certainly not essential, I should probably mention my own piano trio album, Dreamhouse, recorded for this label right here, Naim.

All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by Cyrene:
I'm a huge Mehldau fan and certainly not one of those who thinks he just has 'happy fingers'.

Wow ... who the hell thinks that? Not me or anyone I know.

All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by fred simon:

At the very least, the essential are Evans, Jarrett, Mehldau, and the album by Chick.

Also, while certainly not essential, I should probably mention my own piano trio album, Dreamhouse, recorded for this label right here, Naim.

All best,
Fred

Fred,

I would add to your essential list Enrico Pieranunzi who might be perhaps a little less adventurous than the others, but never the less, a great piano trio player.

Fred we met already and I have to admit that Mehldau always left me cold.... So, I guess I am the first person you know who does not like Mehldau.

Best regards,

Haim

Hi Haim,

Actually, I take "those who think [Mehldau] just has 'happy fingers'" as a dismissal of Mehldau's playing as bereft of substance and content, as just a bunch of hyper-virtuosic noodling. I think regardless of whether Mehldau leaves one cold or not, it's fair to say that he is not vacuous and blithe. Would you agree?

All best,
Fred

The 'happy fingers' remark was made on a jazz board I frequent. The person who said it is an esteemed music producer and 'name' within the industry.
I've also heard Mehldau referred to as Bored Mildew and so on....
Is it because he's good at what he does?

Anyhow, let him continue what he's doing. And if you're into liner notes, then his are a treasure in themselves.

quote:

Originally posted by fred simon:


Hi Haim,

Actually, I take "those who think [Mehldau] just has 'happy fingers'" as a dismissal of Mehldau's playing as bereft of substance and content, as just a bunch of hyper-virtuosic noodling. I think regardless of whether Mehldau leaves one cold or not, it's fair to say that he is not vacuous and blithe. Would you agree?

All best,
Fred

Yes Fred,

I do not dismiss any music or any musician, regardless of my own personal taste.

I think that Monk should be on any list of great piano players though most of his playing was done with larger groups than trios or in solo.


Nuno,

Here are some great Italian piano trios:

Alboran Trio:

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/jazz/detail/-/hnum/6289380/rk/jazz/rsk/hitlist

Enrico Pieranunzi Trio:

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/jazz/detail/-/hnum/1472295/rk/jazz/rsk/hitlist

Stefano Bollani Trio:

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/jazz/detail/-/hnum/5044300/rk/jazz/rsk/hitlist

Regards,

Haim

quote:

Originally posted by Cyrene:
The 'happy fingers' remark was made on a jazz board I frequent. The person who said it is an esteemed music producer and 'name' within the industry.
I've also heard Mehldau referred to as Bored Mildew and so on....
Is it because he's good at what he does?

Man, I'd love to know who this "esteemed music producer" is. I take it his comment was not a compliment, but I wonder what he actually meant.

As far as why Mehldau is attracting detractors, it's not so much because he's good, because clearly they don't think so. But it could be his popularity as the current wunderkind of jazz piano ... a sort of variation on Groucho's "I don’t care to belong to any club that will have me as a member."

All best,
Fred

Haim, of course I agree on Monk.

I'm a big fan of Bollani's recent solo disc on ECM. The link you provided actually led to an album by Danish bassist Jesper Bodilsen, Mi Ritorni in Mente , a piano trio with Bollani and Danish drummer Morten Lund. I assume that's the one you're recommending, yes? I'll have to check it out.

All best,
Fred

To be honest, I do find some of Mehldau's later compositions a bit 'knotty' but he's so good (and his bands) at what he's doing, it doesn't come across as technical showy-off-ery or virtuosity for the hell of it; he actually gives them meaning and life.
Regarding his popularity, I understand that sort of attitude may be present in some -- and after all didn't he appear in a movie a few years back? That might upset some purists.
As for Bollani, I do like his contribution to Rava's Tati. Haven't heard much else of his.

quote:

Originally posted by Cyrene:
To be honest, I do find some of Mehldau's later compositions a bit 'knotty' but he's so good (and his bands) at what he's doing, it doesn't come across as technical showy-off-ery or virtuosity for the hell of it; he actually gives them meaning and life.

Actually, Cyrene, I agree with you here, well said. I find myself getting less pleasure from Mehldau's later work than his earlier, and I'm not entirely sure why although it may have something to do with a perceived move away from more tuneful melodic composition ... "knotty" is a good description, not that knotty is inherently a bad thing, but I tend to dig a more even balance between knotty and not.

quote:

Originally posted by Cyrene:

As for Bollani, I do like his contribution to Rava's Tati. Haven't heard much else of his.

Definitely check out Bollani's recent ECM solo release ... a great balance of knotty and not.

All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by fred simon:
but I tend to dig a more even balance between knotty and not.

Then I'll have to check out your stuff Fred!

(is there an embarrassed smiley for this occasion?)