Album: Brad Mehldau, Highway Rider (Nonesuch)

On his website, pianist/composer Mehldau writesa fascinating analysis ofthis new orchestral collaborationwith producer JonBrion, with whom hemade the excellent Largo.But despite a beautifulopening theme, HighwayRider goes on and on (fortwo CDs), mining a significancethat may be moreself-willed than earnt.Joshua Redman tootleshis sax soulfully yetrandomly; Mehldauworries away at themiddle of the keyboard,and John Adams-ishstrings come and go. That"genius" tag is beginningto bite back