Ten Turkeys of 2006
Published December 21, 2006
[5] Stephin Merritt: Showtunes
Stephin Merritt, one of the most talented songwriters alive, tries his hand at musical theater, resulting in a Magnetic Fields meets The Mikado hybrid that unfortunately won't appeal to fans of either. While the songs themselves (none of which are sung by Merritt himself, unfortunately) have plenty of trademark wit, style, and intelligence, the affected theatricality of these performances makes Showtunes almost unbearable to listen to and impossible to enjoy.
[4] Philip Glass: The Concerto Project, Vol. 2
The outer movements of Glass's "Lewis and Clark" Piano Concerto are merely bland and barely distinguishable from those of his "Tirol" Concerto, but it's the central "Sacagawea" movement that would almost be hilarious if it weren't meant to be taken seriously. R. Carlos Nakai has the unenviable job of noodling around on a Native American flute made to sound like an out-of-tune recorder playing Glass's unidiomatic and inane little ditties in a shameless attempt at P.C. multiculturalism that falls flat on its face. The descent into self-parody is complete with the Harpsichord Concerto, a ridiculous trifle of a piece possibly indicating that Philip Glass will crank out a concerto for anyone willing to pay for one. Coming soon: the Bongo Concerto?
And last, and unfortunately least... [drumroll...] the Turkey of the Year Award for 2006 goes to...
[3] Brad Mehldau / Pat Metheny: Metheny/Mehldau
[2] Brad Mehldau Trio: House On Hill
[1] Brad Mehldau / Renee Fleming: Love Sublime
The once promising and inventive jazz pianist who amazed us all with his Art of the Trio series, cool versions of Radiohead and Nick Drake tunes, and the stunning solo effort Elegiac Cycle, was responsible for not one... not two... but THREE bland, ponderous, and entirely forgettable albums released on the Nonesuch label in 2006.
House On Hill has his stellar original trio coasting along aimlessly through Mehldau originals that all sound the same, Metheny/Mehldau pairs the pianist with the jazz guitar legend for a yawn-fest of uninspired noodling, and the ambitious Love Sublime, a collaboration with opera superstar Renee Fleming, is a dreary, pretentious, and unlistenable mess.
Here's to hoping Brad Mehldau gets his mojo back in 2007...
- Ten Turkeys of 2006
- Published: December 21, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Classical, Music: Electronica, Music: Instrumental, Music: Jazz, Music: Opera, Music: Popular and Standards
- Writer: Stephen V Funk
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Comments
I knew these records weren't going to be good so I didn't bother listening to them in the first place ;&)
...except for Mehldau/Metheny, but I addressed that elsewhere.
-P
You're total ignorance regarding Glass's music is astonishing. Stick with you Diana Krall.
I'll agree with you on House on Hill (and I've seen little disagreement that it's less than stellar,) but you've got to be shitting me with Metheny Mehldau. You've actually listened to this, right? Absolutely one of the year's best albums. You are among very few to say otherwise. I'm guessing maybe this one is slipping right past you - it's a very quiet affair, so give it some time. One of these days, you'll be surprised when you realize how wrong you were about this one.
Don't worry about Brad - House on Hill was recorded before Day is Done and sounds pretty indicative of a band that needed a change. It may be written up that Jorge Rossy left to pursue academic and family interests, but I'm guessing that there's more to it than that. The band just sounds uninspired and when a band sounds uninspired and struggling like they do here, it's a safe bet there may be some interpersonal issues going on. Listen to how vital the new trio sounds on Day is Done. He's going to do just fine with Jeff Ballard keeping time behind him.
I had visions of Saleski splitting his wig when I edited this piece. I know he liked the Metheny/Mehldau record. I might have to listen to it so I can cast the deciding vote. =)
it takes a lot more than that to get my wig to split.
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(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/57358)
dang, i think that intimate interplay in the Metheny/Mehldau recording is fantastic. it reminds me of those Jim Hall/Bill Evans albums.
ah well, i won't hold it against ya.