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Dave Kaufman wrote on September 16, 2009Your last point is an interesting one. I found Brad Mehldau's liner notes to his first few albums to be insufferably pretentious. As silly as it sounds, I could not get past his writings to appreciate his music. Eventually I did and Mehldau has since become one of my favorite artists.
Unquestionably, Vijay has thought much about his music and its place in the world. He has much to say on the matter and it's his right to say it. That said, Historicity has been available on Rhapsody (streaming music service) for a few days and I have had the chance to listen to it several times. This is a very beautiful and accessible album. Unquestionably the most accessible music he has ever recorded. Furthermore, it doesn't sound forced or compromised in the least. The Trio has never sounded better than it does on this album. There are no rigorous intellectual exercises here or academic posturings; simply great music.
Mostly, I like reading what an artists has to say about his work. But I try not to let it define my listening experience.
