keith jarrett rio

While still a member of the Charles Lloyd Quartet, Keith Jarrett did some occasional moonlighting with a trio, anchored by two future members of Jarrett's classic quartet, Charlie Haden (bass) and Paul Motian (drums). On this CD, Jarrett turns in a very eclectic set at Shelly's Manne-Hole in Hollywood, careening through a variety of idioms where his emerging individuality comes through in flashes.

This live solo piano concert at Tokyo's Suntory Hall is not a solo concert in the usual freewheeling Jarrett sense. Rather, it sounds like a formal recital of individual compositions, each followed by applause (unlike the improvised concerts where applause only comes at the end of a set). Keith is often in an introspective, even dark mood, with deep growling in the lower bass regions in the closing minutes of "Opening." Yet he can also be quietly affirmative and devotional, always the musician/virtuoso who doesn't flash his technique for its own sake. Of the eight tracks, only "Fire Dance" has some of the jazzy verve associated with the solo concerts. The Jarrett devotee will want this; others should use caution.

Recorded live at New York City's Town Hall in 1990, THE CURE features Keith Jarrett with his Standards Trio, which, as befitting its stellar reputation, offers a set comprised of assorted standards and covers, save the Jarrett-penned title track. One of the high points is the Oscar Levant gem, "Blame it on My Youth." These three players bring so much sympathetic invention to bear that even an often-heard tune like "Body and Soul" is given fresh life. Which is precisely as it should be: a standard deserves to live and breathe anew.