Keith Jarrett - Piano God

quote:

Originally posted by Pluyt:

In my opinion [Sun Bear Concerts] is the worst, soundwise, of the solo concerts of Keith.
The music is OK but this DDD recording is the worst of all of his solo recordings.
What a shame ECM.

Really?! Worse than Koln Concert?

I dunno ... Sun Bear sounds pretty great to me.

Best,
Fred

Finished listening to the Impulse box set. There are actually 5 discs, not four as I mistakenly thought. The last two discs are in fact Dewey Redman albums where Keith Jarret had performing duties on the piano. I like the last three discs in the box set. I did not quite dig the first two discs.

For the next month's budget, I will probably invest in some of the ECM trios that senior members of the board have recommended. Once again, thank you guys, I really appreciate your advice. Keith Jarrett is one artist that I have overlooked for far too long. My piano jazz collection is made up mostly of Monk and McCoy Tyner, and more recently ... Fred Simon.

quote:

Originally posted by fred simon:

quote:

Originally posted by Pluyt:

In my opinion [Sun Bear Concerts] is the worst, soundwise, of the solo concerts of Keith.
The music is OK but this DDD recording is the worst of all of his solo recordings.
What a shame ECM.

Really?! Worse than Koln Concert?

I dunno ... Sun Bear sounds pretty great to me.

Best,
Fred

I always liked the recording. Sounds nice on my system.

quote:

Originally posted by irwan shah:

For the next month's budget, I will probably invest in some of the ECM trios that senior members of the board have recommended. Once again, thank you guys, I really appreciate your advice. Keith Jarrett is one artist that I have overlooked for far too long. My piano jazz collection is made up mostly of Monk and McCoy Tyner, and more recently ... Fred Simon.

Thanks again for the shout-out, Irwan, much obliged.

May I make a suggestion for your next Jarrett purchase? Instead of the trios (which are great, don't get me wrong), I would urge you to start with two albums: Facing You, his first solo album, and Belonging, the first album by his so-called European quartet.

Especially since you are so fond of my music, these two albums would give you a good idea of what it is about Jarrett's music that has so deeply informed my own. Not to mention that I think they are two of his very best in the entire range of his prolific catalogue.

All best,
Fred

Fred:

Been listening to Kenny Wheeler recently and could not resist buying 'Gnu High' as I noticed Keith Jarrett listed as one of the sidemen.



Thanks for the recommendations. 'Facing You' and 'Belonging' are part of next month's budget.

and a new Jarrett/Charlie Haden album in May

info here

quote:

Originally posted by irwan shah:
Fred:

Been listening to Kenny Wheeler recently and could not resist buying 'Gnu High' as I noticed Keith Jarrett listed as one of the sidemen.

Thanks for the recommendations. 'Facing You' and 'Belonging' are part of next month's budget.

My pleasure, Irwan, and hopefully yours, too.

Gnu High is one of my all-time favorite albums, and one of my all-time favorite Jarrett recordings.

All best,
Fred

Fred:

Been playing 'Gnu High' in the car, ... loudly. Very nice for driving. Will have a serious listen on the Supernait this weekend.

Fred:

'Gnu High' sounds even better at home. That is the problem with having a Supernait in the house. After listening to an album on it, that very same album sounds horrible when played on the car stereo system.

As I discovered your music first and listened to 'Dream House' before ever taking Keith Jarrett seriously, whenever I listen to 'Gnu High', I can't help thinking that I am hearing a sprinkling of Fred Simon in the playing style! In reality, I know it is the other way around as he is one of your major influences.

Was at the shopping mall with the wife yesterday and saw the following which I purchased in a moment of weakness:

Keith Jarrett's Yesterdays (with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette) (ECM)

quote:

Originally posted by irwan shah:

Keith Jarrett's Yesterdays (with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette) (ECM)

Although I had recommended saving the trio albums for later, this was a great choice. The most recent of the trio releases, it's also one of the best, due in no small part to the fantastic version of Stella By Starlight that ends the album. This track is an anomaly in Jarrett's recorded work as it is actually from a sound-check before a concert ... that no-pressure, nothing-to-lose, casual context in which musicians run something just to make sure they can hear themselves and each other well. This version of Stella is so relaxed, so swinging, and Jarrett's solo is a model of ultra-melodic, mostly non-virtuosic improvisation. A student of mine transcribed the solo last semester, and we marveled at its compositional elegance and inspired melodic brilliance. I'd go as far as to venture that if played in a blindfold test, most folks would not necessarily guess that it was Jarrett off the bat, if they guessed it was him at all.

Let us know how you like it, Irwan. And I can't wait til you hear Facing You and Belonging!

All best,
Fred

Fred:

I had the time to squeeze in some listening time just before shooting off to work. I listened to the first track. First, concerning the quality of the recording; it is almost impeccable. My only complaint is that the bass is not as good as that found in Naim recordings. But then again, most recordings, when compared to those made by Naim, will pale in comparison. The mids and highs are simply wonderful, especially the cymbals and high-hat. Second, concerning the performance of the musicians; obviously these guys have been playing together for a long time. The band sounds really tight. The improvisation is complex, yet sounds so simple. Very easy to love as it is very 'lyrical'. The improvisation is very focused and my head kept bobbing up and down all the time. Very enjoyable. What a nice way to start the day. I used to think that a fairly aggressive drummer such as DeJohnette would not be suitable for a pianist that sounds as delicate as Keith Jarrett, but I was wrong. Everything dovetailed so nicely.

Still in the US at the moment and picked this three Keith Jarrett albums from Barnes and Noble:







No access to any hi-fi yet, so I will have to keep this for listening when I get home to Malaysia.

Some good choices there !

Lontano:

Thanks to you and Fred!

At the Deer Head Inn is an interesting album. I read the line notes last night and there is a really interesting anecdote. Keith Jarrett had his first serious professional job there and was even offered a job as a guitar player by another famous jazz musician who played a gig there.