BEST OF ELSEWHERE 2011 Keith Jarrett: Rio (ECM)

 |   |  <1 min read

Keith Jarrett: Rio Part IX
BEST OF ELSEWHERE 2011 Keith Jarrett: Rio (ECM)

In one of the most colourful ECM covers in memory comes this equally vibrant solo piano set by Keith Jarrett, recorded live in Rio in April 2011.

This richly textured double disc -- six unnamed pieces on the first, nine on the second -- finds the pianist in total command of his gift for rhythmically complex and melodically unpredictable improvisation.

Jarrett dips (and frequently dives deep) into Latin sounds and sometimes veers towards the muscular invention of Abdullah Ibrahim/Dollar Brand, pulls in some weighty drama (Part V), gets reflective (Parts VI and the gorgeously cinematic ballad Part VII which opens the second disc) but also takes flight in pointillistic minimalism.

He also rocks out, as it were. 

In recent years, on record at least, Jarrett's wonderful trio has taken precedence over his solo work. But this one puts his extraordinary ability for singular invention right back in the frame and with its mature consideration and richly textured melodicism (Part VIII on the sublime second disc coherently references baroque to Bartok, Bach to Monk).

This also has some deft humour and sometimes deeply reflective romanticism, and as a result stands alongside the finest of his very long career.

Exceptional.

Like the sound of this? Then you need this.

FOR OTHER 'BEST OF ELSEWHERE 2011' ALBUMS GO HERE

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Music at Elsewhere articles index

Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears: Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! (Universal)

Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears: Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! (Universal)

You only need to hear a few bars of the first three tracks on this one to say "James Brown". And Black Joe and band out of Austin wouldn't deny the influence. There's also a smattering... > Read more

The Doors: Live at the Bowl '68 (Warners)

The Doors: Live at the Bowl '68 (Warners)

Anyone charting the career trajectory of the Doors would doubtless have it as a rapidly rising inverted V with an equally sudden if rather more bumpy decline after the peak and perhaps a little... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

DIOR AND I, a doco by FREDERIC TCHENG (Madman DVD)

DIOR AND I, a doco by FREDERIC TCHENG (Madman DVD)

Even if by the end of this 90 minute documentary you are no wiser about his personality or even exactly what it is he does, you will perhaps still be persuaded that Raf Simons is a rare visionary... > Read more

Neil Finn and Jim Carter: Blue Smoke (2015)

Neil Finn and Jim Carter: Blue Smoke (2015)

When the recording of Blue Smoke by the Ruru Karaitiana Quintette was released in February 1949, the Second World War had only been over for around three and half years. The memories of loved... > Read more