Largo (album)

Reception

The Guardian's John Fordham gave it a 4-star rating and observed "Mehldau is framed quite differently on Largo – a setting that includes chamber-classical woodwind and brass and a percussion sound deploying hip-hop and drum'n'bass grooves. He also plays electric keyboards at times, and the influence of producer Jon Brion – Mehldau's principal collaborator on the project, though the pianist wrote all the arrangements - was clearly critical".

AllMusic awarded the album 3 stars, and in its review by Robert L. Doerschuk stated "what intrigues most about Largo in the end is the perspective it offers on Mehldau, whose playing here is, as always, intelligent, perhaps a bit cerebral, and now open as well to sonic exotica".

JazzTimes reviewer Russel Carlson noted "Even with the added musicians and sounds, Mehldau's piano is, as it should be, the focal point of Largo. His playing remains a little sinister and sad on the CD, but he has also lightened his touch and his melodies and harmonies are refreshingly simpler this time around".

Track listing

All compositions by Brad Mehldau except as indicated

1. "When It Rains" - 6:36
2. "You're Vibing Me" - 3:28
3. "Dusty Mcnugget" - 5:43
4. "Dropjes" (Jon Brion, Matt Chamberlain, Brad Mehldau, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Darek Oleszkiewicz) - 3:58
5. "Paranoid Android" (Colin Greenwood, Phil Selway, Thom Yorke) - 9:05
6. "Franklin Avenue" - 3:42
7. "Sabbath" - 4:42
8. "Dear Prudence" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 5:22
9. "Free Willy" (Mehldau, Chamberlain, Larry Grenadier, Jorge Rossy) - 5:05
10. "Alvarado" - 4:00
11. "Wave/Mother Nature's Son" (Antônio Carlos Jobim/Lennon, McCartney) - 6:28
12. "I Do" - 7:17

Personnel

Credits