Customer Reviews

Tokyo 96

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

 

 

As a professional singer/saxophonist with a collection of thousands of records and cds, I often delight in playing new things for people, not only to introduce things to them, but to see their reaction.

My girlfriend was sitting on the couch one night, reading in silence. I put on "Never let me Go" from this CD, and went to work on some reeds in the kitchen.

Less than a minute later, she put the book in her lap and looked up at me. "I can't read this while that's playing - it's so amazing. It just commands your attention. It sounds like backround music, but it's definately NOT - it's so intense, and I can hear the feeling in everything he's doing. It just commands me to listen." So she put her book down and enjoyed.

And I, of course, was ecstatic that she got the fact that Keith Jarrett is one of those few musicians who lock into their inner voice from the moment go and never let go. Whether or not you like his forays into all genres, his experimentations, or even his phrasing or note choices here and there - you have to concede that his PROCESS of creating, along with that of his cohorts, is absolutely vital, essential, and pure.

So put the book down, and dig!

Tokyo 96' is an excellent LP for any fan of the Jazz Piano. Jarrett's volcalizations never intrude on the wonderful music, making this album accesible for anyone. The trio's ability to communicate only gets better with age, and this is one of their peaks. While the moodful melodies and ballads are truly stunning on this album, the spotlight is stolen by Jarrett simply digging into some up-tempo bop standards. Highlights? The entirety of Billie's Bounce and I'll Remember April are ecstatic (the latter featuring a marvelous drum-solo intro punctuated by rhythmic chords on behalf of Jarrett), however, the true gem is the brief, almost frantic and assuredly intense John's Abbey. One can almost see the sparks flying from these three masteful musicians!

What a recording! As good as anything the trio has put out for our listening pleasure including Standards I and II and the complete Blue Note set. This CD is so incredibly balanced with a seamless flow between ballads and up-tempo songs. All three artists are completely on fire! My only complaint, and it is a very minor one, is that I wish the two standards that segue into compositions by Jarrett were both about fifteen minutes longer (Harold Arlen's "Last Night When We Were Young" segues into Jarrett's "Caribbean Sky" and Rodgers and Hart's "My Funny Valentine" segues into Jarrett's "Song"). There are at least three such long standard-to-Jarrett composition segues on the complete Blue Note set, which I adore and which have spoiled me. On Tokyo 96, both "Carribean Sky" and "Song" should have gone on for much longer, especially "Carribean Sky". But that's a minor "complaint" and really just a personal desire to hear more of Jarrett's beautiful compositions that flow so nicely out of particular standards. It's still a perfect recording--but it could have been even "perfecter"!

As for those who find Jarrett's vocalizations to be annoying--and I sometimes fall into that camp, though I still own dozens of his recordings--I didn't notice much on this CD. In my opinion, what little there is almost had to be there because the music was truly worth shouting over and making all sorts of primal sounds. (If I had been at this concert, I would have been screaming like a madman!) But again, given how stunning and magical this evening was, I think Jarret showed incredible restraint. If you have a chance, I encourage you to listen to the entire CD through some headphones. Oh...my...goodness...great balls of fire!!!!!!!

I love Jarrett, love his Standards Trio, love this album...but I had to throw down a note about the last track.

Even though "My Funny Valentine" has been covered by so many over the years, this is my single most favorite performance of MFV by anyone. It's just a perfect transcendent moment. And Keith doesn't even play the whole melody.. it's as if he lets the listener who knows the tune so well fill in the gaps for himself/herself. Sublime. Perfect.

This trio is a force of Nature, and here's yet more proof.

Many jazz lovers probably already have several CDs by this outstanding trio in their collections; if so, they will pretty well know what to expect. Jarrett, Peacock, and DeJohnette have worked together so long and are such accomplished musicians that the music just seems to flow right out of them. Covering standards (e.g., "It Could Happen to You," I'll Remember April," Autumn Leaves," My Funny Valentine'), the trio blurs the line between arrangement and improvisation, weaving quite a magical spell as they work their way through 79 minutes' worth of music.

As always, Jarrett's piano sounds slightly clangy, and he adds his usual shouts and groans to the mix, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. With so many CDs now to choose from featuring this group, Tokyo `96 might not be an indispensable recording, but it is nonetheless a sterling example of "the art of the trio."

This is one of my absolute favorite Trio CDs. My favorite tracks have to be I'll Remember April as well as Caribbean Sky. The kind of groove they reach is infectious and healing at the same time. A good mix of standards, as well as a beautiful ending (My Funny Valentine/Song). Jack is AMAZING on this CD, especially in the aforementioned tracks, with brilliant groove as well as soloing. All I can say is... ENJOY!

I found something very special about this CD. There are many live recordings of Jarret with Dejonnette and Peacock. But this one is different. It is much softer and gentler. I put it down to Jack who on this CD sounds more like Paul Motian than he does like himself. This recording is one of my favourites along with "Deer Head Inn" (where Motian is the drummer). I guess this critique is a form of feedback to Jack to tone it down. This is not to say that he does not compliment the trio, he does, but I find his playing a little "one size fits all", when it fits (Live at the Blue Note and here) its brilliant, but other times you would want him to play a little more melodic. In this album he gets it just right.

I only recently started seriously listening to Jazz and particularly Jazz piano, but this recording is simply marvelous. Jarrett has a fantastic sound, and the whole trio just flows really well. To be a tad melodramatic, this album verges on inspirational.

This is a live recording, featuring Keith Jarrett on piano, Gary Peacock on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums. On this recording, Keith has brought his improvisational talent to the breaking point, it's almost inhuman: the way he builds his phrases and his timing is just incredible. A must for anyone interested in jazz improvisation!

I fully support most of the positive reviews of this album, but I must say the buzzing and moaning and chanting in the background is difficult to bear.