"London Blues" is an original Brad Mehldau composition from his 1995 debut Introducing Brad Mehldau that puts the blues form at the center of a showcase for three exceptional musicians. The 12-bar form in F at approximately 162 BPM provides a foundational framework for extended improvisation, and the results are among the album's most exciting performances. Mehldau opens with eight ambitious choruses of piano, demonstrating that his sophisticated harmonic and rhythmic approach can be applied to the most fundamental structure in jazz without losing the blues' essential emotional directness. Bassist Christian McBride follows with five choruses of acoustic bass, bringing the formidable technique and deep groove that would make him one of the most important bassists of his generation. Drummer Brian Blade closes with nearly three choruses of drums, his explosive, textural approach to the kit adding a final burst of creative energy. The track is notable for featuring a different rhythm section than the Grenadier-Rossy trio heard on most of the album, with McBride and Blade bringing a different but equally compelling energy. The blues form's simplicity makes it a revealing test of each musician's improvisational personality, and all three soloists demonstrate the combination of tradition and innovation that defines the most exciting jazz of any era.
