We'll cross the river together (Brad Mehldau) (LP 2040 - 2041)

Brad Mehldau  Places (CD, Warner Brothers Records, 2000) **** 

Brad Mehldau  Highway Rider (CD, Nonesuch Records, 2010) ***  

Genre: Jazz piano 

Places I remember: Virgin Mega (Dubai)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Los Angeles (Places)

Gear costume: Capriccio (Highway Rider)

Active compensatory factors: Two different looks at Brad's abilities via these two albums, actually, three - as Places includes some solo piano as well as trio work.

I prefer the trio material with Larry Grenadier on bass, and Jorge Rossy - drums. Places has a nice thematic conceit - Brad was writing on the road while touring and names songs after the place they were largely written.

Highway Driver is a more expansive double set, the trio (Jeff Ballard takes over on drums) is augmented by guests - Joshua Redman (tenor sax) and Matt Chamberlain on drums. 

That would be fine, except an orchestra is also employed at times throughout. I am less crazy about that addition personally but it does provide a different sound and look.

Where do they all belong? I haven't felt the need to add to the Mehldau collection. His latest (Your Mother Should Know) is an album of Beatle covers that he plays solo. Interesting, but it didn't float my boat or drive my car!