Wanderer

I subscribe to kosmogabri...take that, the profane! This and "Another Green World" are my favorites.

World music has never entered my musical horizons (when you say world, only Peter Gabriel and Womad come to mind... and I think that’s severely insufficient!). However, your review, superlative though it may be, and the tantalizing samples leave me with the suspicion that I have missed out on something interesting.

Josi is the same program that was performed here in Catania, but unfortunately I missed the concert (arrrghhhh!!!). It would be great to have your review, when can we expect it?

Above replace "senbra" with "sembra" :-)

Yes, I am also convinced that he went through a moment of indecision from an artistic-creative point of view, terrified by the risk of repeating himself (a concern that only affects the greats), and the experimentation of "Largo" is unequivocal proof of this. With Ballard, it seems he has found his course again, and the more fluid dialogue with the rhythm section is audible; furthermore, his pianism now proceeds more and more through subtraction, paying greater attention to the essentiality and clarity of lines, melodies, and accompaniments. In short, a bright future on the horizon. As for the concert, well, I still can't wrap my head around it. Think, Hal, that I am in Catania and the concert wasn’t hosted in one of the outdoor venues in the city but in an amphitheater, still outdoors, in a small town on Etna, Tremestieri, and the ticket cost only 10 euros!!!! The concert was part of the Etna Fest program, an event that for two years has been bringing the best of Jazz and contemporary music to Catania and the surrounding area (Abdullah Ibrahim Trio, Steve Kuhn Trio, Richard Galliano, Krzysztof Penderecki, Philip Glass, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, etc.) at very low prices, under the musical direction of an absolute connoisseur like Gianni Gualberto Morelenbaum. It goes without saying that it was packed like a World Cup final: an unforgettable evening! Finally, I am truly glad to have stimulated you to listen to "Places" in a new and gratifying way. Thanks again.

Endless thanks to all commentators for the generosity and indulgence shown towards this review. The high caliber of your contributions, moreover, opens the field for succulent discussions among enthusiasts. Personally, "Places" captivates me with its ever-changing atmosphere, resulting from the alternation of trio and solo pieces, and its character of "immobile journey" (a perfect definition borrowed from odradek, with your consent), as well as a series of sentimental-affective memories tied to this album. However, I agree with what Hal and odradek mentioned: compared to other trio works, it does indeed fall a bit short. More specifically, I believe the "cream" can be found in the first 4 "Art Of The Trio"; after "Places," a phase of dullness begins, balancing between rehashing the usual formula (with "Progression" and "Anything Goes") and a frenzied search for new musical coordinates (the shocking "Largo"). Then a new light emerges with the solo album "Live In Tokyo" (here excellently reviewed by zzzzzzzzzzz) and, especially with the latest "Day Is Done" (also superbly reviewed by symbad), where Ballard's entrance seems to have had the beneficial effect of revitalizing Brad's creativity. Hal, as you will have understood, I too am more captivated by the trio with Ballard than by the one with Rossy, especially after having had the fortune to see the new Mehldau Trio this summer: an incredible interplay, less protagonism from Brad and more rhythmic liveliness.

This Miles here I have never been able to digest, but undoubtedly in its genre the album is top-notch and the review does it ample justice.

Nice but inferior to "Wild Wood" and "Illumination."

Nice review, a 4 for the record only because I prefer Mr. Diana Krall in more "art oriented" episodes like "North" or the brand new "My Flame Burns Blue," both released by Deutsche Grammophone.

I agree, probably the best solo album; maybe it's competing with "Illumination."