Search - Keith Jarrett :: Keith Jarrett At The Blue Note: The Complete Recordings

Monumental

S J Buck | Kent, UK | 07/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This astonishing boxed set from the standards trio justifies a long essay as a minimum to do it justice. I will restrict myself to talking about a few tracks only.



Disc 5 starts with a track 21 minutes long. After a slightly disguised Piano introduction Jarrett begins a long exploration of "On Green Dolphin Street". This swings like hell in places, is occasionally a little funky, and is never less than very inventive. Just after 8 minutes the first Piano solo ends! After a brief interlude of bass solo and drums/Piano exchanges the theme comes back and seamlessly becomes "Joy Ride" at around 12 minutes. This is one of Keith's own compositions and has a calypso feel to it. Well you can guess that he gets into this in a big way and the drive and interplay between the musicians justs gets better and better. This track alone made the boxed set worth getting.



The other highlights on disc 5 are a rapid version of "You'd be so nice to come home to" and great version of Monks "Straight No Chaser".



Of particular interest to me were two versions of "Things Ain't What They Used To Be". You will hear Jarrett use blues licks in his solos, but not often do hear him play an entire piece in a bluesy/gospel style. This is fantastic stuff, driven along by some great bass by Gary Peacock.



I can't do justice to the set of 6 discs here. If you're a Jarrett fan and you don't have this collection, you should have. Likewise anybody interested in Piano trio Jazz should consider this an essential purchase. Its a shame more artists don't put out sets like this - although my bank manager might disagree.

"

My favorite Jazz box set

Doreen J. L. Mitchell | 03/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have a lot of Jazz albums, but this is the one I go to time and time again when I'm working on my computer. It's always fresh and is a true reference set. You really need to have this in your collection. I never do these reviews, but had to chime in on this one that has given me so much pleasure over the years."

Many Colors on the Canvas at the Blue Note

Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 03/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With 422 minutes of music that spans three nights and six complete performances, this is arguably the most impressive look into the "Standards Trio" that is available in one (boxed) set.



The concerts took place on June 3-5, 1994, and provides the listener with an incredible appreciation with the way Keith Jarrett (p), Jack DeJohnette (d) and Gary Peacock (b) would vary sound, vision and structure over a short period of time within the same venue. The physical structure does not change, but the variables for each artist does, which is brilliantly captured in the collection.



And it is when the trio stretches out on a nearly 27 minute version of Autumn Leaves and 29 minute rendition of Desert Sun that the full potential of performing before an audience is heard; the energy between the fans and musicians is incredible.



There were many vibrant colors on the vast canvas for these shows at the Blue Note, which only grow more vivid with each listen."