Customer Reviews

Setting Standards

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

 

 

The claim from the first reviewer of this product that this release is all about money is frankly ridiculous. Anyone who already has the original CDs or even LPs--and I imagine that the sales were fairly low compared to more recent releases--can hang onto them, and all the fans who haven't heard the astonishing beginning of this sublime trio should absolutely get their hands on this newly packaged edition.

Since the very first time I listened Keith Jarrett's Trio, with the amazing 'The Cure' I haven't been able to stop. This package contains 3 of their fundamental albums and to have them is a must.
Who may refuse to be touched for the delicate and deep melody of 'Meaning of the Blues'?. Try, at least once.

i'll be frank , i've never heard the album "CHANGES" (i do however own and adore "CHANGLESS") . owning the two STANDARDS albums in various formats since their time of release has quite simply been one of those life changing events you hear about . life enhancing to be certain . if you have the ability to understand the dynamic between these three gentlemen and what they're managing to convey , then you'll understand that this music is equivilent to being with your most compatible lover while gulping the most quenching glass of ice cold water you've ever consumed simultainiously . should be required listening in 11th or 12th grade highschools nationwide . beyond brilliant .

1. I have (I think) all of Keith's trio CDs, including the multiCD box set from the Blue Note sessions and I've seen the trio at least 4-5 times over the years. That doesn't make me some music critic or snob, but I'm familiar with the full breath of Keith's Trio work over the years.

2. With that being said, the first two albums (Standards Vol 1 and 2) are the trio's best work; no question about it. The recording itself is superb, the energy is there, the songs, the soloing, it's all 100% awesome. The other recordings from that time (Standards Live... the first one to come out, Still Live etc...) are also 5 star recordings. At some point (I'd have to review the CDs specifically), the trio seemed to lose steam, as is perhaps inevitable.

3. Note: If you would like to check out the trio during this early era, get the initial DVD (now repackaged as "Standards in Japan"); completely awesome.

4. By the way, my favorite tunes from the Vol 1/ 2: All the Things you Are. So Tender. The price of the CD is worth it, just for these two amazing tunes.

Not only did ECM recently release a new album by Jarrett, Peacock, and DeJohnette (My Foolish Heart), but also they have released a remastered three-CD set comprising the first three releases from the "standards" trio, all of which were recorded at the Power Station in New York back in January 1983: Standards, Vol. 1; Standards, Vol. 2, and Changes. Many jazz lovers doubtless already own these albums on LP or CD, but for those who do not, here is the chance to immerse themselves in some of the finest piano trio recordings ever released.

Eschewing the tightrope act of his solo concerts, Jarrett put together a trio to play standards in an improvisational style. Somehow, these three musicians really clicked musically, and were able to record these three fine albums in their first studio sessions together. The first two releases, as you might guess from their titles, consist almost entirely of standards, while Changes contains three compositions by Jarrett that are a bit more freewheeling in style but still quite enjoyable and easy to get caught up in.

Truly, these three musicians are masters of their instruments; moreover, working together they achieve a level of creative musical energy that is a marvel to behold. Twenty-five years have passed since they first came together to record their perspective on venerable jazz standards such as "The Meaning of the Blues," "All the Things You Are," "God Bless the Child," and "I Fall in Love Too Easily," plus some originals by Jarrett, and these performances still sound every bit as fresh, powerful, and persuasive as they did when they were first released.

Between the recent release titled My Foolish Heart and Setting Standards, over the past few months I have had five Keith Jarrett CDs full of amazing music that has brought many, many smiles to my face and made my fingers quiver as I found myself playing air piano, air bass, and air drums while listening to these three amazing gentlemen ply their craft and magnify their art. If you have any young acquaintances or old friends that you would like to introduce to the glories of jazz, either or both of these releases would make a perfect gift.

I've given this one a 'five star' rating, but I have problem with the whole idea, which is why I'm writing this. Don't get me wrong. I love Keith Jarrett's work that he has done with this trio. There is no better threesome working in the area of jazz improvisation-PERIOD. That being said, Mr. Jarrett can be a tough sell. There's the 'vocalise' that goes on with the piano playing. I've gotten to the point, though, where I'm used to it. Then the crankiness: the absurd 'argument' about whether people like Wynton Marsalis are 'real' musicians. All I can say to that is, in paraphrase of the late Frank Zappa, definitely a 'real' musician: "Shut up 'n play 'yer music"......
So, the guy has an ego. I ask, wouldn't I if I had this ability? I guess I just have to weigh in on this latest 'offering' which, reduced price or no is hucksterism. These three recordings are great, and I guess, if you don't have them and want a good idea of where it all began-run don't walk...., but if you do? Well, $33.99 (price at a local Borders) seems a bit much for a revamped cover. I guess when you come right down to it, my feeling is this: these three are still out there and available. What is probably on tapes or whatever Mr. Eicher stores performance recordings on is probably enough music from Mr. Jarrett either alone or with his cohorts here to play on a trip around the world. So, come on, Keith, let some of it out. Surely there is something new in your stored repertoire that is up to the high 'Standards' you've already set. For someone who is so critical of the general trashiness of the recording industry nowadays, it seems you've stepped right into the 'grab all you can and run" with this one. Meanwhile, I will save my money by not taking the dollar dive on this one and wait for the next truly "new" release from this great group of musicians.

This is an excellent recording of a great classic jazz trio. However the engineer could have mastered to make Jarrett's "singing" a bit less prominent. Check out good recordings of Erroll Garner or Glenn Gould. I rest my case.....