Product Details

• Actors: Jack DeJohnette, Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: August 27, 2002
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000069HZF
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,813 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With musicians of the caliber of pianist Keith Jarrett, bassist Gary Peacock, and drummer Jack DeJohnette, this 10-song, 105-minute performance, recorded in Tokyo in 1985, could hardly be less than outstanding. But two numbers--"Rider" and the Billie Holiday classic "God Bless the Child"--are positively transcendent. Both are reminiscent of the music Jarrett made with his so-called "Nordic quartet" on the brilliant '70s albums Belonging and My Song; gospel-based, powerful--funky, even--with wonderful solos by all three musicians, they have an element rarely found in Jarrett's music–-i.e., fun–-and are themselves worth the price of admission. Not that the other stuff isn't good, too; it is, even with the usual distractions of Jarrett's physical conniptions, his annoying tendency to hum or sing along with his playing, and so on. All in all, a good show, with "Rider" and "God Bless the Child" satisfying the search for the sublime. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an experience unfading, August 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Standards [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I first saw this video about ten years ago in a small theater auditorium with 52 in. TV screen. It left a shattering impression on me, musically as well as visually. Today, having been long familiar with Keith Jarrett's vigorous piano playing and personally been his concerts 4 times, the performance in this video still stands out impressively. This 1985 concert recorded in Japan was shot in a remote manner, cameras were deliberately hidden from the trio, providing a detailed, vivid and spontaneous view of their live performance. To me, it's especially interesting in hearing these early trio repertoire, starting with superbly elegant I Wish I Knew, Jarrett's own compositions So Tender, Prism, more familiar tunes like It's Easy To Remember, Stella By Starlight, and a great God Bless The Child. The video strikes me as how minimal they exchanged the eye contact, revealing the interplay relies all on the listening. A perfect example of the trio's improvisatory art is revealed in the extension of Prism, where camera stays on Gary Peacock's expression, as he followed, probed, and quickly found the groove in flight with Jarrett's notes. From there, the trio simply took off.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After hundreds of listens it still brings joy every time, January 8, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Standards [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The performance on this video is among the best of all of Jarrett's recordings in any format, and while the VHS quality is very good, it's too bad that this wonderful concert is only available in that format. 1. "I Wish I Knew." Gorgeous and colorful. 2. "If I Should Lose You." 3. "Late Lament." 4. "Rider." Driving rhythm and gospel flavor. 5. "It's Easy to Remember." 6. "So Tender." Here the trio especially amazes with its tight control of a piece played with wild abandon. 7. "Prism." Not to be missed. Opens with a solo by Gary, picked up by Keith, and continued by the three, osmosing into an absolutely joyful, rhythmic, free-flowing jam with pentatonic flavor which I like to think was a tribute to the Japanese audience. My favorite of all KJ. 8. "Stella by Starlight." 9. "God Bless the Child."
The video aspect is good. Many closeups of facial expressions and hands on instruments. Very enjoyable to see this for someone who hasn't been able to see them in person.
Keith being Keith. Gary inspired. The great Jack DeJohnette playing the drums with actual melody--how does he do that? I love this recording.

3.0 out of 5 stars Love the Music...but why bother with DVD?, September 3, 2011

By 

Jeffrey D. Kenyon (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Keith Jarrett - Standards (DVD)

First off, I'm a huge fan of Jarrett's Standards trio. Content-wise, this is a great disc, and the sound quality is really excellent. That being said, I didn't feel that having the concert visuals actually added to the experience (visually, this just isn't interesting stuff). Absolutely nothing extra on the DVD. Minor gripe: would it have killed the producers to include a sub-title with the song name at the beginning of each tune? The only way you can see the program is to look at the menu.