Sunday Music Muse Day - Jan. 21, 2024 - Brad Mehldau Trio, The Blue Note Years

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds many in my area anxiously awaiting the Buffalo Bills game against The Kansas City Chief in the NFL game tonight. Some maybe more interested in Taylor Swift attending.  In any case, here's two jazz selections to help fill the time. First up, Brad Mehldau Trio Day is Done. With the leader on piano, joined by Larry Grenadier on bass, and Jeff Ballard on drums.  This is a tasteful collection of movie themes, a couple of Lennon/McCartney tunes, a Paul Simon tune and some originals all done in Mehldau's uniquely modern piano styling.  Well worth a listen.

Next is an anthology collection, The Blue Note Years 1955–1960 The Jazz Message. Many of the recordings of the artists on the 2 CD were made long before I was into jazz, but of course I've learned of importance to the music over the year.  I like to recommend anthologies like this to new jazz listeners as it gives them a wider range of musicians and styles to sample, in contrast to suggesting a certain artist or album like Miles Davis' Kind of Blue (a great choice, but variety is the spice of life).   This would be a perfect CD for background music for a Jazz brunch, or ease you into a football game.  

Lets's hope for and Bills win.  Enjoy

Sunday Music Muse Day - Brad Mehldau Trio, Julian Lage

On this sunny and warm Sunday Music Muse Day, it actually seems like spring has finally arrived. The grass is turning green, trees and flowers are blooming.  All in all, it's a good day to enjoy new music.  First up, Brad Mehldau Trio Live, a two CD set recorded at the legendary Village Vanguard in NYC, October 11-15, 2006.  With Mehldau on piano, Larry Grenadier on bass, and Jeff Ballard on drum.  Mehldau once came to my attention with his jazzy renditions of rock tunes, like Beatles' songs. He has esoteric style with a hint of avant-garde in his playing, but never too much to be off-putting, just adventurous.  Worth a listen.

Next up is Julian Lage The Layers. This EP  CD featuring the guitarist teaming with guitarist Bill Frisell on five of the six tracks, all six originals of Lage.  It's nice mellow affair, which could fall into the modern Americana music Frisell is known for, with lot of acoustic guitar playing by both.

I hope the weather is nice wherever you are, and you get to enjoy it.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Brad Mehldau, Gilberto Gil

Another Sunday Music Muse Day to enjoy some mellow jazz tunes.  First up, Brad Mehldau Trio - Ode, led by the pianist with Larry Grenadier on bass, and Jeff Ballard on drum, offering a set of all original tunes by Mehldau. I seek out Mehldau piano music to help me break out of my guitar-centric listening habits. This does that nicely.

Next up is Gilberto Gil - Acoustic, this CD is what one online critic calls "...the equivalent of Gilberto Gil "Unplugged" -- Gil, his acoustic guitar, and a nonelectric five-piece band recorded live in a studio".  This is a pleasant musical offering for a quiet afternoon from a well known Brazilian musician. 

These selections are well worth listening to for some escape from these chaotic times. A little musical pause from our "Doom Scrolling" is a must for our insanity.  Enjoy.

Belated Sunday Music Muse Day - Paradigm Shift, Vijay Iyer Trio, and Brad Mehldau Trio

Due to the Memorial Day weekend, I'm a day off on my Sunday Music Muse Day post. This time up, three new purchases from my local music shop Hi-Fi Lounge, two of which have local connection. First, there is Paradigm Shirt - Shifting Times CD. They're a local organ trio I've heard on Jazz 90.1 radio, and I've seen their concerts listed in the local papers, but I hadn't had a chance to hear them live. I'll be sure to correct that.

Second, is the Vijay Iyer Trio - Break Stuff. Iyer hail from Freeport, NY, which is near Rochester, and he is one of the hottest young pianist performing today. I like this CD more than the last one of brought of his. This one is more accessible to me.

 Finally, there is the Brad Mehldau Trio - Anything Goes CD. This set showcases covers of various well known tunes in a very different renditions.

 Considering myself a guitar-centric music lover, I try to step outside that comfort zone with these piano and organ based groups. They're worth checking out. Enjoy