Keith Jarrett

[Pangaea]

Man, I love this guy's music. I discovered him thru miles, as he played on some his best electric stuff. But I soon discovered how good his own stuff is either solo or with a band. And the volume of work is almost intimidating. I just discovered his Mozart recordings on which he plays piano with a whole orchestra. It is mesmerizing, and I am not really much of a classical fan- but this is good, real good. I have heard or own most of his stuff- but what do you guys like- I am sure I missed some key albums. And yes I've heard Koln

 

[FalconP]

I would stick to his jazz work; you can find better interpretation of classical music elsewhere. La Scala, another solo live set, is so much richer and far reaching than most other jazz piano recordings. I've yet to get into his ensemble work (you know those ECM prices) but everyone says they're incredible.

ECM has released a two-CD anthology of Jarrett in their Rarum series. This is a set that gives you something of everything: his classical side (including his playing the clavichord and the organ) and his jazz side. All the music has been digitally remastered.

 

[Pangaea]

Yes, I own La Scala and it is very good. I think you have to approach his classical stuff in a different view. I find his Mozart recordings excellent, and I have struggled to get into other classical works. Perhaps it is not for Purists, but I am highly enjoying it. I like how he does not try to steal the show but rather compliment the orchestra. The ECM anthology is tempting but I already own the bulk of his ECM recordings so I am not sure it would be worth it for me.

 

[Pangaea]

I know there has got to be more Jarrett fans on this site?

 

[saint.panda]

For his Standards Trio, my favourite is "Still Live", probably the one Keith CD I listen to the most; for solo the Köln Concert is my favourite although the Sun Bear Concerts are amazing as well, and very similar in style, too. His classical stuff is ok, some good, some not so. His renditions of the Shostakovich preludes are very good I think.

For other Keith favourites, I really like "The Melody At Night, With You", the perfect, sophisticated background or book-reading CD, very direct and beautiful music. I also like the "Bremen & Lausanne" concerts very much,

If you liked the Köln Concert, perhaps you'll also like Brad Mehldau's "Live in Tokyo".

 

[pdennis]

If you're interested in exploring his free stuff (with the Standards trio), there are some great moments on "Always Let Me Go". Some terrific interplay with Peacock + DeJohnette there.

 

[Pangaea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by saint.panda /img/forum/go_quote.gif For his Standards Trio, my favourite is "Still Live", probably the one Keith CD I listen to the most; for solo the Köln Concert is my favourite although the Sun Bear Concerts are amazing as well, and very similar in style, too. His classical stuff is ok, some good, some not so. His renditions of the Shostakovich preludes are very good I think. For other Keith favourites, I really like "The Melody At Night, With You", the perfect, sophisticated background or book-reading CD, very direct and beautiful music. I also like the "Bremen & Lausanne" concerts very much, If you liked the Köln Concert, perhaps you'll also like Brad Mehldau's "Live in Tokyo".

Good recommendation on Still Live... had not heard it. Will def. pick up. On a personal note what is the deal with this guy? He really comes off as a prick in the media. Too bad, I bet he loses some fans due to his comments/ behavior.

 

[Moocher]

I had the vinyl set of Solo Concerts: Bremen & Lausanne [LIVE] [BOX SET] at the same time as Koln. This is before CDs. Though I haven't heard the former for many years, when I had both I preferred Bremen/Lausanne. I'd be curious how it compares now.

Mooch

 

[Pangaea]

^ I have that on vinyl as well, although I don't listen to it often. Not because I don't like it but more because I tend to lose track of stuff within my collection. I need to pull that one out.

 

[jsaliga]

I have tons of Jarrett's stuff:

On vinyl:

Solo Concerts: Bremen & Lausanne
The Köln Concert
The Sun Bear Concerts
Staircase
The Survivor's Suite

On CD:

Facing You
Belonging
Shades
Paris Concert
Vienna Concert
Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note - The Complete Recordings
La Scala
Concerts
Whisper Not
Inside Out
Nude Ants
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues op. 87

Out of all this, I think my favorites are Bremen & Lausanne, The Köln Concert, Staircase, The Paris Concert, and La Scala. So I am somewhat partial to his solo work. Whisper Not and Live at the Blue Note are great trio recordings with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette.

As someone else has noted, ECM prices are quite high so building a comprehensive library of any of the label's artists means a considerable financial investment.

--Jerome

 

[Sordel]

Here are some of my favourites:

Of the solo concerts:

Paris Concert
Bremen / Lausanne
La Scala
Vienna
Radiance

Of the trio concerts:

Still Live
Tokyo '96
Live at the Blue Note

Of the classical compositions:

The Celestial Hawk (piano concerto)

As a classical performer:

Shostakovich, 24 preludes & fugues
Lou Harrison, Piano Concerto
Alan Hovhaness, Lousadzak

Try also:

The Melody at Night, With You
Staircase
The Moth and the Flame
Personal Mountains

 

[zenaphile]

I set up a Keith Jarrett station on Pandora - a nice way to listen to Keith Jarrett and related artists while I work.

 

[leeg]

I just got turned on to Keith Jarrett after seeing the Kohn concerts recommended in an audiophile magazine lol Just listened to it first time last week and I was dumbfounded how good he was in that concert! Don't you love it when you find something new you really like? I now have to find that Solo Concerts: Bremen & Lausanne that you guys are mentioning.

 

[jaduffy007]

My favorite Jarrett recordings. Yea...Koln...but as others have mentioned, "Still Live" and "at the Blue Note" would be next for me. "Facing You" and "My Song" after that.

I've haven't been listening to Keith recently...really into Mulgrew Miller more lately...Bill Charlap too...and as always Bill Evans, the KING.

Time to go listen to Keith...

 

[yinlok]

I like Keith Jarrett in Impluse years, the most attractive music to me.