EC's "Baby Plays Around" to feature on new Brad Mehldau disc

[Kevin Davis]

Don't know how many Brad Mehldau fans lurk around these parts, but he's one of my favorite jazz pianists working today, and his forthcoming album is to feature a cover of "Baby Plays Around." He's been playing it live for a number of years and it's lovely.

http://www.nonesuch.com/journal/brad-me ... 2012-07-31

Nonesuch releases the Brad Mehldau Trio’s Where Do You Start, a companion disc to this spring’s critically acclaimed Ode, on September 18, 2012. Whereas Ode featured 11 songs composed by Mehldau, Where Do You Start comprises the Trio’s interpretations of ten tunes by other composers, along with one Mehldau original. See below for the complete track list. Ode was widely praised, with London’s Daily Telegraph, in a five-star review, saying that it “shows Mehldau’s inventive powers are as fresh as ever ... and the interplay with Ballard and Grenadier is masterly.” The Brad Mehldau Trio is Brad Mehldau on piano, Larry Grenadier on bass, and Jeff Ballard on drums. Where Do You Start is available for pre-order now in the Nonesuch Store, where an instant download of the album track “Jam” is included with purchase.

Mehldau performs two solo shows at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Allen Room in New York City on October 5 and 6; for additional tour details, go to nonesuch.com/on-tour.

Brad Mehldau moved to New York City in 1988, studying at the New School and playing in a number of different combos—including a stint in label mate Joshua Redman’s quartet—before becoming a bandleader himself. His trio, which tours the world extensively, made eight acclaimed recordings for Warner Bros., including the five widely praised Art of the Trio albums with former drummer Jorge Rossy, which Nonesuch released as a boxed set in December 2011.

The pianist’s eight years with Nonesuch have been equally productive, beginning with the solo disc Live in Tokyo and including five trio records Day Is Done, House on Hill, Live, Ode, and Where Do You Start, as well as a collaboration with soprano Renée Fleming, Love Sublime; a chamber ensemble album, Highway Rider; and two collaborations with label mate Pat Metheny, Metheny Mehldau and Quartet, the latter of which also includes Ballard and Grenadier. In addition to the Art of the Trio box set, Mehldau’s other two Nonesuch releases last year showcased additional facets of his varied career as it enters its second decade: his live solo performances on Live in Marciac and his collaborations with genre-crossing musicians on Modern Music, with composer/pianist Kevin Hays and composer/arranger Patrick Zimmerli.

Brad Mehldau Trio: Where Do You Start

Got Me Wrong (Jerry Cantrell)
Holland (Sufjan Stevens)
Brownie Speaks (Clifford Brown)
Baby Plays Around (Elvis Costello & Cait O’Riordan)
Airegin (Sonny Rollins)
Hey Joe (Billy Roberts)
Samba e Amor (Chico Buarque)
Jam (Brad Mehldau)
Time Has Told Me (Nick Drake)
Aquelas Coisas Todas (Toninho Horta)
Where Do You Start? (Johnny Mandel, Marilyn Bergman & Alan Bergman)

[sweetest punch]

See also: http://www.elviscostellofans.com/phpBB3 ... f=2&t=6958

[Jack of All Parades]

Don't know how many Brad Mehldau fans lurk around these parts, but he's one of my favorite jazz pianists working today, and his forthcoming album is to feature a cover of "Baby Plays Around." He's been playing it live for a number of years and it's lovely.

http://www.nonesuch.com/journal/brad-me ... 2012-07-31

Nonesuch releases the Brad Mehldau Trio’s Where Do You Start, a companion disc to this spring’s critically acclaimed Ode, on September 18, 2012. Whereas Ode featured 11 songs composed by Mehldau, Where Do You Start comprises the Trio’s interpretations of ten tunes by other composers, along with one Mehldau original. See below for the complete track list. Ode was widely praised, with London’s Daily Telegraph, in a five-star review, saying that it “shows Mehldau’s inventive powers are as fresh as ever ... and the interplay with Ballard and Grenadier is masterly.” The Brad Mehldau Trio is Brad Mehldau on piano, Larry Grenadier on bass, and Jeff Ballard on drums. Where Do You Start is available for pre-order now in the Nonesuch Store, where an instant download of the album track “Jam” is included with purchase.

Mehldau performs two solo shows at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Allen Room in New York City on October 5 and 6; for additional tour details, go to nonesuch.com/on-tour.

Brad Mehldau moved to New York City in 1988, studying at the New School and playing in a number of different combos—including a stint in label mate Joshua Redman’s quartet—before becoming a bandleader himself. His trio, which tours the world extensively, made eight acclaimed recordings for Warner Bros., including the five widely praised Art of the Trio albums with former drummer Jorge Rossy, which Nonesuch released as a boxed set in December 2011.

The pianist’s eight years with Nonesuch have been equally productive, beginning with the solo disc Live in Tokyo and including five trio records Day Is Done, House on Hill, Live, Ode, and Where Do You Start, as well as a collaboration with soprano Renée Fleming, Love Sublime; a chamber ensemble album, Highway Rider; and two collaborations with label mate Pat Metheny, Metheny Mehldau and Quartet, the latter of which also includes Ballard and Grenadier. In addition to the Art of the Trio box set, Mehldau’s other two Nonesuch releases last year showcased additional facets of his varied career as it enters its second decade: his live solo performances on Live in Marciac and his collaborations with genre-crossing musicians on Modern Music, with composer/pianist Kevin Hays and composer/arranger Patrick Zimmerli.

Brad Mehldau Trio: Where Do You Start

Got Me Wrong (Jerry Cantrell)
Holland (Sufjan Stevens)
Brownie Speaks (Clifford Brown)
Baby Plays Around (Elvis Costello & Cait O’Riordan)
Airegin (Sonny Rollins)
Hey Joe (Billy Roberts)
Samba e Amor (Chico Buarque)
Jam (Brad Mehldau)
Time Has Told Me (Nick Drake)
Aquelas Coisas Todas (Toninho Horta)
Where Do You Start? (Johnny Mandel, Marilyn Bergman & Alan Bergman)

That is nice news. As others have noted in the attached thread he makes good usage of genre hopping. I, too, like that he is not afraid to visit the pop side. He makes that particular song his own as he virtually transforms it. I have always liked his version of Clifford Brown's "Brownie Speaks". My brother in law, Joe Cohn, has worked with him in the past on several bills. Joe always has nice things to say about him.

[johnfoyle]

Here's the March '08 live version - http://www.mediafire.com/?yjz2cdekjtm

It's about two minutes longer and, after having just listened to both it and the version on the new album , I prefer the live take. The extra time is taken up with some riotous solo playing by Brad, always a electrifying thing to behold at his shows. The studio version does have a bit of the same, at about 5 minutes into each version, but never strays far from the tune of the song. The ending is tidier on the studio cut , indicating they were still roughing up a version in '08.

[Kevin Davis]

Thanks for that. I've got this album coming in the mail this week along with Calexico's new one. I enjoyed "Ode" a lot and am trusting this will make a good companion, as per the press kit.