Blues and Ballads


Blues and Ballads is a studio album by jazz pianist Brad Mehldau. It is a piano trio recording, with Larry Grenadier on bass and Jeff Ballard on drums. Mehldau received a Grammy nomination at the end of 2016 for Best Improvised Jazz Solo on the album's "I Concentrate on You".

Background

The previous release by the trio of Brad Mehldau, Larry Grenadier, and Jeff Ballard was Where Do You Start, in 2012.

Music and recording

All seven of the tracks are covers. The album was recorded at Avatar Studios, New York City, on December 10, 2012, and May 12, 2014.

Reception

The Financial Times reviewer commented that "Each track is a beautifully crafted, richly detailed miniature with its own tale to tell." Peter Hum of Ottawa Citizen wrote: "for those who think Mehldau’s music can be too formidable for their tastes, Blues and Ballads should be a more straightforward but still deeply satisfying delight, as it will be for his legions of devotees".

Track listing

  1. "Since I Fell for You"
  2. "I Concentrate on You"
  3. "Little Person"
  4. "Cheryl"
  5. "These Foolish Things"
  6. "And I Love Her"
  7. "My Valentine"
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Personnel