Customer Reviews

At the Deer Head Inn

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Keith Jarrett has made many trio recordings over the past few years with bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette, but on this CD, Paul Motian, who played drums with Jarrett in the 70s, adds his own signature style to the group as DeJohnette takes the night off. This is a live recording made at--you guessed it!--the Deer Head Inn in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Jarrett's birthplace. The crowd that night was in for a real treat, as is anyone who buys this CD. The only potential negative is Jarrett's humming--it doesn't bother me, but it drives some folks right up the wall. But oh, the playing, and the interplay among the three musicians! This is the jazz trio at its finest, in a live setting: what more can you want? Bass is just a bit reticent, but other than that, the recording quality is excellent.

Just to clear this up. Paul Motian is on drums and there is no track called flying part 1. Jarretts performance here is as close as you'll ever get to hearing Jarrett playing just for fun. A bluesy version of Basin Street Blues, that is still embued with Jarretts distinctive touch and phrasing. Bye Bye Blackird is a wonderful performance, that I have listened to over and over.
This album was supposed to be a documentary recording only, and wasn't originally planned for release, but as Jarrett says in the sleeve notes "I think that you can hear on this tape, what jazz is all about".
It is a little different from the standards trio, because its Paul Motian. However Motian played with Monk, Bill Evans and a multitude of other Jazz giants, so the standard of drumming couldn't be much higher!

Keith Jarrett, in his note about this session included in the liner, says that he hopes listeners get an appreciation of what jazz is all about on this live recording on a misty night in Allentown, PA, sometime back in the early to mid nineties. Given the large number of Jarrett trio recordings to choose from, starting in the early 80's, I find it amusing/ironic that my favorite is this VERY relaxed, spacious recording with PAUL MOTIAN on the drums, sitting in place of Jack DeJohnette on this one occasion. I never tire of this one, and the variety of material, as well as the generous performances give me no end of pleasure. Motian swings hard in an unobtrusive fashion, and Jarrett really seems to be enjoying being back on home turf. Gary Peacock is, as always, excellent. With a bewildering array of recordings to choose from, including Jarrett's own trio, I think this is an excellent place to start listening to the modern piano trio...if this is what jazz is about, count me in!

There are some mistakes in reviews. I think its because some peoples reviewed album "In deer head inn" instead this (which is the only album where played Motian and not DeJohnette). I want say just one thing: if you love music do not miss this one. Flying part I is maybe the best thing which this folks find in non standards ways. Pure geniality. IMHO.

In this set Keith Jarrett plays with possibly the greatest bassist, Gary Peacock, and the highly original masterful drummer, Paul Motian. Since both Peacock and Motian posess similar time and space senses to Jarrett, this set displays different, more ambient side of, Keith, compared to sets by his regular trio with Jack DeJohnett.

Borrwing Jungian psychological terminologies, I have always thought that Keith is a truly an "intuitive" improvisor, like Bird, as opposed to a "sensing" improvisor (e.g., Paul Bley), a "thinking" imrovisor (e.g., Anthony Braxton) or a "feeling" improvisor (e.g., the great late Art Farmer).

It is very intersting to compare this album with the new album by Paul Bley, Gary Peacock and Paul Motian, "Not Two, Not One" (another classic).

Listen this album to find how Jarrett displays his one of a kind ability to utilize the "spaces" and to turn it to truly-spontaneous-arts.

Remember: A space itself cannot be music. An improvisor has to use it for his/her music.

Within the three Jarrett originals on this CD, KJ along with Jack Dejohnette(d) and Gary Peacock(b) play some very interesting and sometimes quite melodic material. And the name of the CD is not a misnomer, there are definately lots of changes going on, especially on the 30-minute composition called "Flying."

Definately more for those who are already fans. If you're a first time KJ-trio buyer try: "The Cure", "Bye, Bye Blackbird" or "At the Dearhead Inn," to name but a few.

By the way, a reviewer below blasts this recording supposedly because of Paul Motian's lack-luster drumming. The problem with this analysis is simple: It is Jack DeJohnette who plays drums on this CD, and not Paul Motian.

Dear friend from Chicago! The reviewer below is absolutely right - it is PAUL MOTIAN and not JACK DEJOHNETTE who teamed up with Keith and Gary for recording of this album. Please listen to the CD or at least look at it's cover before expressing your opinion about it:). As for the music on this CD - it features 6 jazz standards plus "Chandra" written by pianist Jaki Byard. I miss DeJohnette's playing too, however Motian is at least not worse and this trio sounds awesome! My favorite piece-YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS. Enjoy.

I miss Jack Dejohnette. The trio seems to be back too far off the edge here, and I think tis is due at least partly to the lack-luster drumming of Paul Motian, who is filling in for the groups best drummer, Jack Dejohnette. This is ho-hum compared with the real trio.