Search - Keith Jarrett :: Solo Concerts: Bremen & Lausanne

Koln, B & L, and Facing You

Long time Jarrett fan | Chicago, IL | 08/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Koln is Jarrett's best known solo piano album. But between Koln and Bremen/Lausanne, the latter is musically the better album. But, my all-time favorite is Facing You, Jarrett's first solo piano album. I own all three in their original vinyl, but I own only Facing You in CD. It is THAT good. Facing You is the kind of music that grows on you. It doesn't pretend to be anything but honest, simple music. Listen with your heart and you will understand what I mean."

A Steady Stream of Wonders

David Thierry | Chicago, IL United States | 03/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm tempted to call these three performances the Goldberg Variations of Our Time. I think these improvisations are easily superior to the Koln concert simply because of the incredible flow of the music, seamless transistions from one thing to another, effortless segues, the music just flows out of him like nothing I've ever heard. The Koln improvs are more like set pieces with beginning middle end while these are more a stream of conciousness or inspiration. In the Lausanne performance apparently at a mid point he plays a prepared piano very charmingly recalling some John Cage. The most striking feature here is how the music evolves, effortlessly moving forward. You have to hear it to believe it and appreciate it. Once again a bit of minimalism. All together quite beautiful."

Where Was I with so Many Styles

John D. Dooley | Southern California United States | 07/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Somehow or somewhere some sort of social conscience told me that the "The Koln Concert" was the essential Keith Jarrett LP or CD to have. Tonight I am playing the "Solo Concerts: Bremen & Lausanne" 3 LP version & was amazed that I filed it after "The Koln Concert" in both my LP & CD jazz sections. This is an error because "Solo Concerts: Bremen & Lausanne" was recorded a year & half before "The Koln Concert". I have now placed them in the correct order based on the recording date. I believe I bought the CD's new & the LP's used but still in good shape. I am surprised that the earlier concert is more vast in style. There is almost every sort of music in it: Classical, Jazz, Abstract, Gospel, Experimental. In fact I hear some John Cage (Prepared Piano & avert sound effects) & La Monte Young (Vibrational harmonic chords) styles on side 5. Some of the reviews state that new comers to Keith Jarrett's music should start with this earlier solo piano concert in its CD format. I disagree because very few people like Experimental Music & "The Koln Concert" is more reachable to the mass market. I should know because people are always saying to me when I listen to experimental music or abstract jazz: "What is that?" or "Turn that Down!", but several people have heard "The Koln Concert" at my house & had to add it to their music collections. Most people like to hum along a tune or dance to a beat, not sit & listen to something different or profound.



If you tune your LP player just right & send it through some tubes, you can get a better sound than a CD. Its more open & smooth, with very little pop. Still on side 5 "WOW!!!" I am now hearing Conlan Nancarrow's style of music but without the Player Piano. Conlan Nancarrow wrote piano music with so many notes that no human could play them so he punched out the notes on Player Piano rolls. Keith Jarrett must have some fast hands because the notes are zooming all over the keyboard. Add another style to the list. Yes, I know the LP is too hard to find, & if iPod & MP3 keep up this CD version will also be hard to find.

"