Who else thinks the Keith Jarrett solo piano recordings are great?

[Manny Scott]

IMO, not just great, but some of the greatest improvised music ever recorded. Jarrett is such an incredible, inventive player, surely on the same level as some of the old classical masters. Any one else feel the same love? And if so, what are you're favourites from the solo collection.

 

[deepbluez]

The Koln Concert, 1975.

Hear something new every time I listen to it.

 

[dets1]

love keith. wish he didn't grunt while he played though.

 

[humbuster]

Yep, just picked up "Testament - Paris/London" yesterday.

 

[tim boehlert]

Had all this stuff in the early '80's! I used to work for WEA, so could get the collection... it was some great stuff for sure!

 

[jaydub69]

love keith. wish he didn't grunt while he played though.

So funny. I was thinking the same thing. Still I don't mind it really.
Great stuff. I also like the stuff with Jack Dejohnette as much.

 

[Blanket Jackson]

love keith. wish he didn't grunt while he played though.

That is the main reason that I never gave him a second listen ... until about 2 years ago, when I was sitting in a local independant coffee shop (where the staff actually plays the music that they choose) and I heard Changeless. No grunting on that one, and wow that was it. Flipped out on the solo piano output. Not so much grunting there either (by and large). KJ is the bomb.

 

[rwe333]

Some wonderful recordings for sure, though I am somewhat partial to Jarrett's work with Jon Christenson et al...

Do check out pianist Bobo Stenson for some similarly inventive piano recordings.

 

[trisonic]

Me. I still listen to Koln a lot.

Best, Pete.

 

[sgsupremep90]

Staircase. All time favorite. Grunts are part of it.

 

[jgyn]

My favorite's his first, 'Facing You.'

 

[diego]

Fantastic. "Book of Ways," the improvisations he recorded on Clavichord are also wonderful.

Now here's a funny quote: "What does it feel like to be a genius, Keith?" Miles Davis

 

[Dexter.Sinister]

Keith's performance/interview with Marian McPartland on "Piano Jazz" was very enjoyable. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15031508

I love his work. I really do.

DS

 

[Tuberoast]

I have Staircase on vinyl....love his playing

 

[Blue Light]

saw him the first time when I was a teenager. he playing with the Charles Lloyd group in those day. he was wild then.

although I still pull Koln every year, at least, I must say the spell was ruined when I actually saw him perform solo many years ago. All that writhing around and grunting and emoting. I couldn't believe it was part of his act the whole way through the show. It took me many years before I could listen to him again.
I know, I know. Sad thing to admit.

 

[Bobby D]

EVERYTHING on ECM is good

ECM is one of those labels where you can buy stuff without hearing it.

 

[diego]

All that writhing around and grunting and emoting.QUOTE]

The students in one of my guitar classes once asked me why he was making so much noise, and "those kinds" of noises. One of my buddies told me to tell them this: "if it wasn't better than sex, after all the work it takes to be able to play -- on that kind of level -- I wouldn't bother..."

 

[pickslide]

Love it!

 

[Brad Gregg]

Jarrett's one of my top two or three favorite musicians of all time, any genre. "Facing You" will always be a favorite; "Paris/London: Testament" and "Carnegie Hall" are both spectacular.

Considering that the guy makes his living going onstage in front of thousands of people and pulling magic out of thin air, I cop him some slack for the grunting.

 

[Dexter.Sinister]

Jarrett's one of my top two or three favorite musicians of all time, any genre. "Facing You" will always be a favorite; "Paris/London: Testament" and "Carnegie Hall" are both spectacular.

Considering that the guy makes his living going onstage in front of thousands of people and pulling magic out of thin air, I cop him some slack for the grunting.

Yepper.

DS