Search - Keith Jarrett :: Somewhere Before (24bt) (Shm)

Jarrett on the brink

S J Buck | Kent, UK | 06/24/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 1968 trio recording from Keith Jarrett isn't as essential as some of his later recordings, but it has enough great material to warrent purchase. On bass is Charlie Haden and on drums is Paul Motian.



Probably almost unique in Jarretts career he starts the album with a version of a contemporary pop/rock song - Bob Dylans "My Back Pages". The album was recorded live in Shelly Manne's club and perhaps the first thing you will notice is that the Piano isn't brilliant. By track 3 "Moving Soon" you might start to think that your purchase was a mistake! In 1968 'free' playing was almost at its height and clearly Keith decided he should give it a go on this track, so there are elements of Cecil Taylor and a general freedom at the Piano. If you're into that sort of thing you're no doubt love it - I tend to skip to the next track! As it happens the next track is the title track, which in complete contrast is a lovely Jarrett original that on his second solo hints at stride and even Erroll Garners style of Piano playing.



The rest of the album keeps up this eclectic mix of of old and new. In fact track five is "New Rag" and the last track is "Old Rag". The last track is played at a blisteringly fast tempo and again hints at much older styles of playing - great stuff.



There are many more important Jarrett albums to buy than this one. However there aren't many where you will hear Jarrett play in such a variety of styles as this. Recommended.

"