When It Rains (Brad Mehldau song)

"When It Rains" is a composition by Brad Mehldau. His original version, for the 2002 album Largo, was recorded on April 2–8, 2001.

"When It Rains"
Composition by Brad Mehldau
from the album Largo
Released2002
RecordedApril 2–8, 2001. Hollywood, California, U.S.
GenreJazz
LabelWarner Bros.
Composer(s)Brad Mehldau
Producer(s)Jon Brion

Composition and original recording

edit

The piece was first recorded on April 2–8, 2001, by Mehldau (piano), Larry Grenadier (bass), Matt Chamberlain (drums), Steve Kujala and David Shostac (flute), Jon Clark and Earle Dumler (oboe), Gary Gray and Emile Bernstein (clarinet), and Peter Mandell and Rose Corrigan (bassoon).[1] It was released as part of the Warner Bros. album Largo.[1]

The piano introduction is joined by wind orchestration.[1][2] Then "Mehldau's droning left-hand triplets" imitate the sound of rain; "his mood is lonesome and melancholic, but his phrases end with a sense of optimism".[1] The performance ends with a piano "solo reprise of the introduction".[1] Some of the drumming also features some "3-over-4 polyrhythms".[2] Unlike other pieces from Largo, "When It Rains" is acoustic.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e Leskovic, Matt "Brad Mehldau: When It Rains". jazz.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Gillan, Lucas (September 28, 2009) "Jazz Now: Your First Five Modern Jazz Albums". npr.
  3. ^ Graybow, Steven (August 10, 2002) "Jazz Notes". Billboard 114 (32). p. 36.