Places

Released in 2000, Places represents a pivotal moment in Brad Mehldau's discography, moving toward a formal 'concept album' structure inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses. While his previous Art of the Trio volumes established him as a premier improviser, Places showcases his prowess as a composer and architect of mood. The album is structured cyclically, beginning and ending with 'Los Angeles,' mirroring the Homeric journey of departure and return. Critics, particularly from AllMusic and JazzTimes, noted the album's restraint and its ability to evoke specific geographical and emotional 'places' through subtle shifts in touch and timing. Recorded with his long-standing trio of Larry Grenadier and Jorge Rossy, the album is notable for its dry, intimate production that places the listener directly inside the piano's resonance. It remains a landmark of 21st-century jazz for its successful integration of classical formal structures with the spontaneity of post-bop improvisation.