Jazz musicians have a long-standing tradition of using popular songs as a basis for both composition and improvisation. Some of the most famous examples include Miles Davis' ultra-romantic version of "My Funny Valentine," and John Coltrane's "My Favorite Things." Though each takes its source material off into different directions, what's clear is that this sort of transformation can be truly stunning in the hands of the inspired performer.

More recently, the tradition has been extended by artists like Brad Mehldau, who has taken on music from The Beatles to Radiohead.

What's interesting about these kinds of forays is that you just never know where they'll end up. Pianist Andy Milne adds some surprises to this legacy on his newly released Dreams and False Alarms. For instance, who knew that there was some Monk to be found in the harmonic structure of Joni Mitchel's "Amelia"? A dark elegance is brought out of "Message In A Bottle," performed as a dirgy blues.

Milne has stated that he wanted to re-harmonize "every nook & cranny" of the songs. He was not kidding. With "I Shot The Sheriff," the main theme is used as a springboard to a long series of shifting block chords and chromatic runs. The initial theme is certainly recognizable but it's taken out. Neil Young's "After The Goldrush" gets a similar treatment.

While Milne included three originals on this album — and they do hold their own against the heavyweight competition, particularly the Monkish "Geewa" — the centerpiece of this collection is the reworking of "The Times They Are A Changin." Beginning with a Tibetan singing bowl strike, that familiar melody is slowly brought forth before dissolving into a four-chord ostinato. With that insistent singing bowl floating over everything, it's tough to not think of the universal appeal of the original song's message.

It's somehow comforting to me to know that there are others out there who can draw a thread through so many disparate elements of life, to know that music in particular is an integral part of life as opposed to just some ancillary activity. Miles and Coltrane knew it. Add one to the list.