Brad Mehldau Revives Elliott Smith’s Melancholy: Discover “Ride into the Sun”

Throughout his career, whether performing solo or in a trio, American pianist Brad Mehldau has demonstrated a knack for a vast and eclectic repertoire that stretches well beyond the confines of jazz and classical music. Fully capable of reinterpreting standards by Thelonious Monk or Chet Baker, he readily incorporates re-imaginings of pop songs from artists both modern (Radiohead, Sufjan Stevens) and less so (Nirvana, Nick Drake) into his concerts and recordings.

A quick recap of his albums from the past two years – the solo and live Your Mother Should Know as a nod to the Beatles and The Folly of Desire with English tenor Ian Bostridge in 2023, followed by After Bach II and Après Fauré in 2024, where he pays tribute to the two classical composers – highlights the diverse range Mehldau is capable of spanning. With Ride into the Sun, he now explores the legacy of the late indie rock genius Elliott Smith, with whom Brad played after moving to Los Angeles in 1996. Moved by the “blend of shadow and light” and “his unique way of combining major and minor modes”, he tackles ten of the Nebraska songwriter’s tracks, enhancing Smith’s melodic talent and bold compositions.

Elevated Tracks

To achieve this, he collaborated with two bassists, drummer Matt Chamberlain (known for his work with Bob Dylan, Fiona Apple) and a chamber orchestra conducted by Dan Coleman. The brass and string sections fully come to life on Everything Means Nothing to Me, a marvel of melancholy led by Brad Mehldau’s piano before Chamberlain’s drums ignite the spark of a tearfully beautiful finale. From Between the Bars, perhaps one of Elliott Smith’s most memorable pieces, Mehldau this time offers a more jazzy and minimalistic version. For other covers (Tomorrow Tomorrow, Southern Belle, and Colorbars), Mehldau enlisted the vocals of Daniel Rossen (Grizzly Bear) and singer and mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile.

In order to expand the repertoire and allow for some deviations, Brad Mehldau added four original pieces that fit the spirit, plus a song by Big Star (Thirteen, covered by Elliott Smith) and another by his ultimate favorite, Nick Drake. Delivering beautiful and spirited chamber pop, the album might frustrate jazz or classical purists, but will delight those for whom labels matter less than emotions.

Ride into the Sun (Nonesuch/Warner). Released on August 29.