Customer Reviews

Facing You

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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Recorded in 1971, this album has correctly been called a "blueprint" for the legendary solo concert albums that Jarrett subsequently produced. But "Facing You" certainly should be appreciated in its own right...it deservedly caused an enormous commotion in the jazz world when it was released. While it is a studio recording, it also was essentially improvised (recorded in a period of about five hours on a single day) and all of the fiery energy, seamless blending of wildly different musical genres, innovative use of the sustain pedal, and melodic genius that characterize his later work are present here...even his "singing" makes a subtle appearance. This work is highly recommended.

If Beethoven was the great piano improvisor of the 19th century, the title in the 20th century should arguably go to this man. With very few exceptions, one basically cannot go wrong with a Keith Jarrett recording. If you have any affection for piano music, you will love his work...whether your tastes run to jazz, classical, even rock, there's something in Jarrett's music that bridges them all.

In an era when most jazz bands were amping up, this improvised solo acoustic piano album was a refreshing return to the basics of jazz. Jarrett's mastery of this idiom is now taken for granted; his solo concerts are near-legendary, and his recorded output with his trio and quartets amply demonstrates his ability to blend his skills with others, most notably saxophonist Jan Garbarek, but with many other fine musicians as well.

But this is the album that really started it all for Jarrett, and as such it has some historical significance beyond its musical merits, so Jarrett's fans will definitely want to own this one. For more casual listeners, rest assured that this is not an "early works" release - this is a fully realized work by a mature artist, and it still holds up very well today. Jarrett's detractors may be advised that this album contains almost none of the high-pitched (and sometimes annoying) vocalizations with which he's been know to accompany himself, nor does he indulge in any of the obscure Gamelan-style music that mainstream jazz enthusiasts often find so opaque.

What he gives us is 8 tracks of exquisite jazz piano, starting with the masterful "In Front", a 10-minute showcase of Jarrett's delightful ear for melody melded to a bumpy, exhilarating rhythm - an instant classic. While none of the remaining tracks reach that same high energy level, Jarrett does take the opportunity to show his versatility. "Ritooria" is somber and ruminative, while "My Lady; My Child" and "Landscape for a Future Earth" reveal a more delicate and tender side. "Lalene" ebbs and flows, the more interesting segments being those that feature a more deliberate rhythm and a hint of that gospel feel that Jarrett does so well. The last three compositions are somewhat less unique, featuring lots of long, rambling runs, but of the three, only "Vapallia"'s halting melody line is really memorable. As a fan of generally higher-energy music, I can't help but wish there were one or two more selections with the exuberance of "In Front", instead of say, the pleasant but unfocused "Starbright". If you're a pianist, or otherwise really serious about solo jazz piano, consider this a 5 star purchase. For the rest of us, this is a fine effort, but there are more invigorating Jarrett albums out there.

For those of you who find the majority of Keith Jarrett's work self-indulgent to the max, this is the cd to get. Not a wasted note--just brilliant songwriting and sustained melodic invention from beginning to end. Beyond stunning. For more indulgence-free Keith Jarrett, check out "Death and the Flower," "Gary Burton & Keith Jarrett," and Airto's "Free" (Keith Jarrett plays electric piano on one or two cuts). If you would like to read more reviews like this, check out JazzboNotes.com.

The one that started it all. While not an emotional tour-de-force like Vienna or Paris, Facing You's genius lies in the melodic motif; throughout the album Jarrett explores gospel-tinged melodies that are bristling energy. The album is punctuated with concise, masterfully executed movements that never lul for a moment, never bore for a beat or even repeat themselves. Easy to listen to (for almost anyone), this album features a Jarrett going light on vocalizations (there is far more singing than groaning here, and more often-than-note its thankfully in key) and playing some of the happiest, fastest (plenty of dazzling, jazzy and classical-inspired runs) and most interesting improvisation of his solo career, which was literally launched by this album. A MUST have for any jazz piano fan.

I've read over the years countless recommendations of the Koln Concert for Jarrett's solo piano work. But, I think Facing You is the solo piano recording to get if you want to know why Jarrett is a genius. I first got Facing You as an LP back in 1977 and it is as fresh today as it was then. Really a timeless piece of recording.

This (along with Staircase) is probably Keith Jarrett's greatest solo piano effort. The album literally overflows with feeling and passion. Listen to the amazing heights Jarrett reaches on "Starbright" and the sensitive lyricism on "My Lady; My Child." His playing is beautiful and frightening at the same time.

This is the one that started it all, all of what we have come to know of Keith's solo piano work is presented here in a somewhat abbreviated context, but one where every note counts, and there are none wasted. Incredible technique matched with beautiful melodic ideas, strong rhthymic energy, and supported by harmonies that seem otherworldly. All of this and more is Facing You, still one of my favorite Jarrett solo albums, along with Bremen/Lausanne and the recently released Carnegie Hall Concert( which I think is the best). Pianistically he goes where no one dared to go before and 35 years later, this music still has the daring and brilliance that other major artists still can only hope to aspire to.
This album is one of a kind, as is Keith Jarrett.

What cannot be stressed enough is the artistic statement Keith Jarrett made with this 1971 improvisational masterpiece, while the fusion revolution was cranking up and finding a niche on the emerging FM rock radio format.

Part of the ECM Touchstones series - classic albums released at a "special" price - the eight tracks became a foundation "statement" for the ECM label, critically-acclaimed as an iconic work in solo piano and a set a change in the course for mainstream jazz. Melodic, contemplative and textured brilliantly, each number tells a story, with In Front providing the listener with an overview of the landscape and Ritooria and Lalene demonstrating a beautiful and optimistic spirit that transcends music.

Nearly 40 years later, the freshness of the pieces remain the remarkable testimony to the creative energies of Jarrett.

Facing You was released in late 1971, just shortly after Expectations, which, it turned out, was Jarrett's farewell to electronic music.

This is an album of extraordinary beauty and depth of emotion - all the more so because its pieces are all improvisations. Not the improvisations that unfortunately frequent the later, self-indulgent Jarrett, but full-blown rich compositions which unfold from beginning to end.

Facing You will envelop your soul and take you to places where, on rare occasions, we can experience music playing us.

Anyone who can listen through "Lalene" without feeling inconsolable longing for things lost is probably dead.

If I had to spend the rest of my life on a desert island with only 10 albums, this would be among them.

In my honest opinion,this is Mr. Jarretts most original solo record to date, his knowledge of the piano shines so bright, the ideas flow with originality and purpose. There is no meandering at the piano waiting for an inspiration like some of keiths other solo piano records. My first introduction to keiths music was the Koln Concert which blew me away but I rarely revisit it as much as facing you. Facing You is probably not as improvised as the others,but it's intent is overpowering.His influences from classical to jazz to gospel,boogie wooogie,stride piano etc. are all on this record. If he stopped here on this record alone, his legacy would have still remained intact to this very day. I'm a jazz pianist and composer and when I'm looking for musical inspiration I always come here. Keith Jarret is a genius at the piano and what he has done in terms of the instrument and improvisation is nothing less than extraordinary. Maybe because I am a musician my standards are a little higher than the average listener, but this record set the standard for me and everthing else pales in comparison, but just a little,very little.