Name: Jacob's Ladder by Brad Mehldau
Brand: Brad Mehldau
SKU: 075597913453
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 3.5 (84 reviews)

ALBUM

Brad Mehldau pushes far beyond the acoustic jazz he is known for on 2022's prog rock-inspired Jacob's Ladder. Even with his past forays into classical and exploratory jazz, the pianist's choice to dip into the kinetic '70s and '80s rock of bands like Rush (he reworks several of their songs here) is an unexpected and eyebrow-raising move. That said, Mehldau has explored pop/rock songs in the past, famously applying his deeply introspective and harmonically nuanced style to tracks by Radiohead, Nirvana, and other iconic bands. While Jacob's Ladder continues this iconoclastic trajectory, it is much more than an intriguing covers album, as Mehldau weaves together several finely curated cover songs with his own ambitious compositions, including two classical-influenced three-part suites. There's also a deeply philosophical bent to the record that's centered around Mehldau's feelings about God and spirituality. Along the way, he showcases a handful of equally boundary-pushing performers including vocalist Becca Stevens, saxophonist Joel Frahm, and singer/mandolinist Chris Thile, the latter of whom joins Mehldau for a particularly faithful rendition of Rush's "Tom Sawyer." Though piano remains Mehldau's primary instrument of choice here, he also plays a variety of analog synths, including Moogs, Korgs, and other sundry electric instruments. Of his original songs on the album, "Herr und Knecht" is perhaps the most prog-sounding, built around a heavy bass-and-drum groove in an odd time signature that Mehldau accents with fuzzy, laser-tone synths. More atmospheric is "Vou correndo te encontrar/Racecar," a melodic, Brazilian-inflected reworking of Periphery's "Racecar" that magically straddles the line between the languid '70s work of Caetano Veloso and the shimmering style of Yes. Although Jacob's Ladder is one of the more idiosyncratic albums in Mehldau's discography, there's enough sophisticated and delicately rendered piano work here to appeal to his longtime fans.

1. maybe as his skies are wide

by Brad Mehldau

Drums: Mark Guiliana; Performer
Primary Artist: Brad Mehldau; Main Performer
Glockenspiel: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Grand Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Samples: Brad Mehldau
John Davis; Performer
Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Treble: Luca Van Den Bossche; Performer
Composer: Pye Dubois
Neil Peart
Alex Lifeson
Geddy Lee; Composer
Engineer: Paul Pouwer
John Davis; Production
Mastering: Alex Deturk; Production
Mixing: John Davis; Production
Producer: Brad Mehldau
John Davis; Production
Recording: John Davis
Paul Pouwer; Production
Technician: Danilo Cosucci; Production

2. Herr und Knecht

by Brad Mehldau

Drums: Mark Guiliana; Performer
Electric Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Grand Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Engineer: John Davis
Paul Pouwer; Production
Mastering: Alex Deturk; Production
Mixing: John Davis; Production
Soprano Saxophone: Joel Frahm; Performer
Producer: Brad Mehldau
John Davis; Production
Moog Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Wurlitzer Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Composer: Brad Mehldau; Composer
Technician: Michael Mckiervnan; Production
Additional Vocals: Becca Stevens; Other
Recording: Paul Pouwer
John Davis; Production
Primary Artist: Brad Mehldau; Main Performer
Emulator Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Other
Screams Vocals: Tobias Bader; Other

3. (Entr’acte) Glam Perfume

by Brad Mehldau

Primary Artist: Brad Mehldau; Main Performer
Grand Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Harp: Lavinia Meijer; Performer
Mellotron: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Moog Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Vocals: Becca Stevens; Performer
Composer: Brad Mehldau; Composer
Engineer: John Davis
Paul Pouwer; Production
Mastering: Alex Deturk; Production
Mixing: John Davis; Production
Producer: Brad Mehldau
John Davis; Production
Recording: Paul Pouwer
John Davis; Production
Technician: Danilo Cosucci; Production

4. Cogs in Cogs, Pt. I: Dance

by Brad Mehldau

Drum Programming: John Davis; Performer
Drums: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Grand Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Harmonium: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Engineer: John Davis
Paul Pouwer; Production
Mastering: Alex Deturk; Production
Mixing: John Davis; Production
Moog Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Rhodes Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Producer: Brad Mehldau
John Davis; Production
Primary Artist: Brad Mehldau; Main Performer
Tambourine: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Vocals: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Xylophone: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Composer: Kerry Minnear
Derek Shulman
Ray Shulman; Composer
Recording: John Davis
Paul Pouwer; Production
Technician: Danilo Cosucci; Production
Bass Organ: Brad Mehldau; Other
Emulator Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Other

5. Cogs in Cogs, Pt. II: Song

by Brad Mehldau

Drum Programming: John Davis; Performer
Drums: Mark Guiliana; Performer
Grand Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Keyboard: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Engineer: John Davis
Paul Pouwer; Production
Lead Vocals: Becca Stevens; Performer
Mastering: Alex Deturk; Production
Mixing: John Davis; Production
Producer: Brad Mehldau
John Davis; Production
Background Vocals: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Primary Artist: Brad Mehldau; Main Performer
Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Composer: Derek Shulman
Kerry Minnear
Ray Shulman; Composer
Recording: Paul Pouwer
John Davis; Production
Technician: Michael Mckiervnan; Production
Emulator Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Other
Lirone Cello: Motomi Igarashi-de Jong; Other

6. Cogs in Cogs, Pt. III: Double Fugue

by Brad Mehldau

Moog Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Primary Artist: Brad Mehldau; Main Performer
Composer: Ray Shulman
Kerry Minnear
Derek Shulman; Composer
Engineer: John Davis
Paul Pouwer; Production
Mastering: Alex Deturk; Production
Mixing: John Davis; Production
Producer: John Davis
Brad Mehldau; Production
Recording: John Davis
Paul Pouwer; Production
Emulator Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Other

7. Tom Sawyer (feat. Chris Thile)

by Brad Mehldau, Chris Thile

Featured Artist: Chris Thile; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Brad Mehldau; Main Performer
Drum Programming: John Davis; Performer
Drums: Mark Guiliana; Performer
Electric Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Grand Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Engineer: John Davis
Paul Pouwer; Production
Additional Vocals: Brad Mehldau; Other
Emulator Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Other
Juno Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Other
Mandolin: Chris Thile; Performer
Mastering: Alex Deturk; Production
Mixing: John Davis; Production
Moog Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Prophet Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Soprano Saxophone: Joel Frahm; Performer
Recording: John Davis
Paul Pouwer; Production
Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Tenor Saxophone: Joel Frahm; Performer
Composer: Neil Peart
Pye Dubois
Alex Lifeson
Geddy Lee; Composer
Technician: Michael Mckiervnan; Production
Producer: Brad Mehldau
John Davis; Production
Treble: Luca Van Den Bossche; Performer
Vocals: Chris Thile; Performer

8. Vou correndo te encontrar / Racecar

by Brad Mehldau

Acoustic Guitar: Pedro Martins; Performer
Primary Artist: Brad Mehldau; Main Performer
Drums: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Grand Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Tambourine: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Vocals: Brad Mehldau
Pedro Martins; Performer
Composer: Matthew Halpern
Casey Sabol
Misha Mansoor
Jake Bowen
Thomas Murphy
Spencer Sotelo
Alexander Bois; Composer
Engineer: Paul Pouwer
John Davis; Production
Mastering: Alex Deturk; Production
Mixing: John Davis; Production
Producer: Brad Mehldau
John Davis; Production
Recording: John Davis
Paul Pouwer; Production
Technician: Danilo Cosucci; Production

9. Jacob’s Ladder, Pt. I: Liturgy

by Brad Mehldau

Primary Artist: Brad Mehldau; Main Performer
Engineer: Jasper Trim
Mike Triim
Oliver Stack
John Davis
Dave Cook
Paul Pouwer; Production
Composer: Public Domain; Composer
Mastering: Alex Deturk; Production
Mixing: John Davis; Production
Producer: John Davis
Brad Mehldau; Production
Recording: Paul Pouwer
John Davis; Production
Spoken Voice Vocals: Timothy Hill
Brad Mehldau
Becca Stevens
Damien Mehldau
Safia Mckinney-askeur
Luca Van Den Bossche; Other

10. Jacob’s Ladder, Pt. II: Song

by Brad Mehldau

Electronic Drums: Mark Guiliana; Performer
Grand Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Keyboard: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Mellotron: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Engineer: Oliver Stack
John Davis
Paul Pouwer
Jasper Trim
Mike Triim; Production
Guitar Technician: Michael Mckiervnan; Production
Moog Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Sleigh Bells: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Mastering: Alex Deturk; Production
Mixing: John Davis; Production
Producer: Brad Mehldau
John Davis; Production
Drums: Mark Guiliana; Performer
Lirone Cello: Motomi Igarashi-de Jong; Other
Primary Artist: Brad Mehldau; Main Performer
Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Upright Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Vocals: Safia Mckinney-askeur; Performer
Composer: Neil Peart
Alex Lifeson
Geddy Lee; Composer
Recording: John Davis
Paul Pouwer; Production
Technician: Danilo Cosucci; Production

11. Jacob’s Ladder, Pt. III: Ladder

by Brad Mehldau

Bass (vocal): Timothy Hill; Performer
Bass Clarinet: Joris Roelofs; Performer
Bells: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Engineer: Jasper Trim
John Davis
Oliver Stack
Dave Cook
Paul Pouwer
Mike Triim; Production
Mastering: Alex Deturk; Production
Mixing: Paul Pouwer; Production
Soprano: Safia Mckinney-askeur
Becca Stevens; Performer
Producer: Brad Mehldau
John Davis; Production
Alto: Becca Stevens
Safia Mckinney-askeur; Performer
Primary Artist: Brad Mehldau; Main Performer
Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Tenor: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Treble: Luca Van Den Bossche; Performer
Composer: Brad Mehldau; Composer
Recording: Paul Pouwer
John Davis; Production
Lirone Cello: Motomi Igarashi-de Jong; Other
Spoken Voice Vocals: Brad Mehldau
Fleurine; Other

12. Heaven: I. All Once – II. Life Seeker – III. Würm – IV. Epilogue: It Was a Dream but I Carry It Still

by Brad Mehldau

Background Vocals: Becca Stevens
Luca Van Den Bossche
Brad Mehldau; Performer
Bass Drums: Paul Pouwer; Performer
Drums: Brad Mehldau
Mark Guiliana; Performer
Electric Guitar: Pedro Martins; Performer
Grand Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Harp: Lavinia Meijer; Performer
Keyboard: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Lead Vocals: Safia Mckinney-askeur
Luca Van Den Bossche; Performer
Engineer: John Davis
Mike Triim
Paul Pouwer
Oliver Stack
Jasper Trim; Production
Mastering: Alex Deturk; Production
Rhodes Piano: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Mixing: John Davis; Production
Producer: Brad Mehldau
John Davis; Production
Recording: Paul Pouwer
John Davis; Production
Primary Artist: Brad Mehldau; Main Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Pedro Martins; Performer
Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Performer
Vocals: Cécile Mclorin Salvant; Performer
Composer: Chris Squire
Steve Howe
Jon Anderson; Composer
Technician: Danilo Cosucci
Michael Mckiervnan; Production
Juno Synthesizer: Brad Mehldau; Other
Shaker Egg Percussion: Brad Mehldau; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

12 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 10 minutes and 12 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 3000x3000 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

Studio Quality (Hi-Res)

24bit / 96 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Hi-Res/Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

Only 1/12 tracks has lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

No synced lyrics found

Genres

Jazz, Post Bop

Label

Nonesuch

Music Distribution Service

Warner

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)
German (Germany)
Portuguese (Portugal)

Popularity

Release Date

Mar 17, 2022

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

75597913453

Shopping cart

Notification

Jacob's Ladder

1. maybe as his skies are wide

2. Herr und Knecht

3. (Entr’acte) Glam Perfume

4. Cogs in Cogs, Pt. I: Dance

5. Cogs in Cogs, Pt. II: Song

6. Cogs in Cogs, Pt. III: Double Fugue

7. Tom Sawyer (feat. Chris Thile)

8. Vou correndo te encontrar / Racecar

9. Jacob’s Ladder, Pt. I: Liturgy

10. Jacob’s Ladder, Pt. II: Song

11. Jacob’s Ladder, Pt. III: Ladder

12. Heaven: I. All Once – II. Life Seeker – III. Würm – IV. Epilogue: It Was a Dream but I Carry It Still

Technical Specifications

Jacob's Ladder

Product information

Release options

1. maybe as his skies are wide

2. Herr und Knecht

3. (Entr’acte) Glam Perfume

4. Cogs in Cogs, Pt. I: Dance

5. Cogs in Cogs, Pt. II: Song

6. Cogs in Cogs, Pt. III: Double Fugue

7. Tom Sawyer (feat. Chris Thile)

8. Vou correndo te encontrar / Racecar

9. Jacob’s Ladder, Pt. I: Liturgy

10. Jacob’s Ladder, Pt. II: Song

11. Jacob’s Ladder, Pt. III: Ladder

12. Heaven: I. All Once – II. Life Seeker – III. Würm – IV. Epilogue: It Was a Dream but I Carry It Still

Technical Specifications