i have wanted to review this album for a while. but i've been procrastinating because i just couldn't think of what to write about an album this good....this from a guy who loves the sound of his own voice, in case you couldn't tell.
piano as the focal point of any band, much less a stripped down trio, is a pretty hard sell. Monk could do it, obviously, and McCoy Tyner and Bill Evans are both genius virtuosos, but that's about it. as much potential and versatility as the piano holds, i personally believe it takes a truly gifted individual to elevate it beyond the level of a backing instrument. it was designed to play four part classical music. anything less just sounds bland.
but this album.
is mesmerizing.
this is quite possibly one of the most evocative performances i've ever heard. on any instrument. ever. mehldau makes the piano just sing. and he has such control, and such a free sense of rhythm, that it literally sounds like you're listening to at least two pianos. his solo on the second track, 'unrequited' is beyond me. i can't even put it into words. his hands are moving independently of eachother, and the band, for just the right amount of time, before syncing up again, and then sliding back out. but that's just what he's doing. it goes nowhere towards describing how the experience sounds and feels.
if you're a rock fan, and don't think piano jazz is for you, i suggest this: listen to Radiohead's 'Exit Music (for a film)' and then listen to mehldau's cover of that song from this album. if you're not moved then yeah, this isn't for you. it also means you probably don't have a soul. you should get that looked at.
just kidding
sort of
anyway
there's no way for me to do this album justice. i feel dirty even trying. just listen to it. just give it a chance. if you go outside your normal fare at all in your life, do it here. and if its not for you, its not for you. that's fine. but if you never try you'll never know, will you?
there's my universal truth for the day
i'm out
i'm going to go listen to this album
piano as the focal point of any band, much less a stripped down trio, is a pretty hard sell. Monk could do it, obviously, and McCoy Tyner and Bill Evans are both genius virtuosos, but that's about it. as much potential and versatility as the piano holds, i personally believe it takes a truly gifted individual to elevate it beyond the level of a backing instrument. it was designed to play four part classical music. anything less just sounds bland.
but this album.
is mesmerizing.
this is quite possibly one of the most evocative performances i've ever heard. on any instrument. ever. mehldau makes the piano just sing. and he has such control, and such a free sense of rhythm, that it literally sounds like you're listening to at least two pianos. his solo on the second track, 'unrequited' is beyond me. i can't even put it into words. his hands are moving independently of eachother, and the band, for just the right amount of time, before syncing up again, and then sliding back out. but that's just what he's doing. it goes nowhere towards describing how the experience sounds and feels.
if you're a rock fan, and don't think piano jazz is for you, i suggest this: listen to Radiohead's 'Exit Music (for a film)' and then listen to mehldau's cover of that song from this album. if you're not moved then yeah, this isn't for you. it also means you probably don't have a soul. you should get that looked at.
just kidding
sort of
anyway
there's no way for me to do this album justice. i feel dirty even trying. just listen to it. just give it a chance. if you go outside your normal fare at all in your life, do it here. and if its not for you, its not for you. that's fine. but if you never try you'll never know, will you?
there's my universal truth for the day
i'm out
i'm going to go listen to this album