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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

The Köln Concert

Keith Jarrett

1975

The Köln Concert
Album Summary

The Köln Concert is a live recording of solo piano improvisations performed by Keith Jarrett at the Opera House in Cologne (German: Köln) on 24 January 1975. The double-vinyl album was released in 1975 by ECM. It became the best-selling solo album in jazz history and the best-selling piano album with sales of around 4 million. According to music critic Tom Hull, the album "cemented his reputation as the top pianist of his generation".

Wikipedia

Rating

3.39

Votes

17513

Genres

  • Jazz

Reviews

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Oct 18 2022
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5

This is another prime example of the stuff I enjoy seeing pop up on this project. I have never heard of OR heard this, and the story behind it is simply amazing. In a series of mistakes, Keith Jarrett was left with an incredibly subpar rehearsal piano to perform on for a sold out audience, versus a very specifically requested grand piano befitting a piano master. What resulted was an hour of pure piano improvisation; that's right, Jarrett switched everything up and composed and played on the fly, all in a way that would fit the rehearsal piano's limited capabilities and allow for the best possible output. All the while, Jarrett can be heard occasionally stomping and vocalizing along with the work; you can tell that he feels what he's playing. This album speaks to overcoming hurdles, being present in the moment, and being open to spontaneity; a variety of chaotic events led to this and it could have resulted in a cancellation or even a performance ruined by the limitations of a specific instrument. But instead, these events occurred, Jarrett agreed to play, and his musical genius flowed, allowing for this unique masterwork to happen, something that would not be readily replicated even if one tried. I feel like the genre label of "jazz" on this album is a bit misleading. While I definitely hear aspects of jazz, this also resonates with some very classical solo piano qualities. I don't want my rating to be misconstrued with the idea that I think classical music is the best thing I've heard on this project. While I do really enjoy classical piano music, I don't regularly seek it out, and it's by no means an absolute "favorite" or "preferred" genre. Rather, my rating comes from now knowing that this album is 100% improvisation on a shoddy instrument; it is a creative breakthrough birthed from chaos. This album very clearly communicates an undeniably masterful craftsmanship and an inspiring message of spontaneous human creativity. This really is something that people could benefit from hearing before they die, and I couldn't possibly rate it any lower.

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Aug 17 2021
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5

Wow, amazing! As I make my way through these 1,001 albums, I think I will look back at Jarett’s Koln Concert as the one that finally got me to appreciate this genre. I mean I didn’t need a class in music theory or have to read a critic’s detailed explanation on why I should enjoy this. I was just blown away by the music which transported me to a place where I could see this artist on stage painting brilliant scenes with his music. Really this performance has rewired my neurons to fire differently now. Bonus note how I appreciated the record producer’s decision to leave in the applause so the listener will know that the audience knew they were witnessing a magical special moment. Bravo!

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Nov 10 2021
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3

Nice songs, interesting background story. But 1 hour of solo piano playing ends up just being background music.

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Nov 09 2021
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5

I think this album really represents something unique - a special piece of music you should hear before you die because of it's interesting story, not just because of it being an influential album. Would love to see more good, but novel recordings included in this list that have fun stories like this one. You could probably get rid of some repetitive beatles and bowie albums to fit in interesting things like this instead. || Moaning throughout was hilarious, and the music is great. but itis the story, the ridiculous circumstances of the performance and improv, and novelty of it all that bumps this up from a 3.5 to a 5 in my eyes.

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Sep 22 2021
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5

that was actually really cool just a dude messing around with the piano for an hour i don’t know if i’ll be listening to it again very soon but i still really appreciated it for what it was to think this dude could create such beautiful pieces off the top of his head just blows my mind i love his talent and i think that album is very special to me 10/10 - no complaints, just a great album

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Sep 12 2021
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3

If this was a footballer, it'd be Dimitar Berbatov during his career wind down at Fulham.

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Dec 18 2021
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5

To simplify…a musician with a bad back who was hungry, slightly grumpy and playing a piano that wasn’t even the one he asked for and was substandard at that, improvised this piano solo. I’m blown away by it and the talent of the musician. I wouldn’t term this as Jazz, just an absolutely beautiful piece of music. 5/5

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Jun 08 2022
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4

“I’m tired” “I’m hungry” “My back hurts” “This GRAND piano isn’t as big as what I wanted” Oh suck it up jazz wanker, play Rocket Man or something. He did hit some decent notes though.

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Sep 28 2021
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4

I've heard of this concert before, pretty sure I read about it in a book, but I can't remember exactly where! Really fascinating story though, that such an engaging concert was performed under such difficult and ridiculous circumstances. Could have done without the moaning throughout, but maybe that's part of his style? Plus when you're improvising and suffering from back pain I won't fault somebody for making odd noises

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Jul 27 2023
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1

I hated this one. The moaning, the extended clapping, the aimless improvisation that felt like it went nowhere for lengthy periods of times. I clearly am not the audience for improvised jazz

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Jan 31 2024
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3

Hard to hate. But hard to love too.

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Dec 18 2021
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5

I actually discovered this in the early days of the pandemic when I found myself hardly able to listen to music. This has been a constant in the period since. Technically, it’s wonderful of course, but it’s also been that bit of a lifeline for me.

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Jun 23 2023
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3

I... I wish I was cultured enough to can. But unfortunately, I cannot. I am an uncultured swine who cannot discern anything other than competently played piano. I'm going back to Slayer.

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Jun 01 2023
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5

Fenomenal concert recording. I am pretty much speechless, whatever happened to Keith Jarrett on that faithful day in Cologne was amazing. Looks like from now on I will be on a hunt for a vinyl version of this concert.

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Feb 06 2022
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5

The infinite power of being at the current moment. Beautiful. I wish I was there.

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Aug 17 2021
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5

Now this is jazz I can get behind. The first track is absolutely gorgeous. I wasn't paying close attention at first (jazz is usually background music to me), but about 4 minutes in I found myself drawn in and captivated. I ended up transfixed the entire time. Beautiful track. The second track is outstanding also, and I love how there were so many unique motifs on this album. Too many jazz albums sound like "more of the same." This album was constantly evolving and flowing. Mind-boggling that this is mostly improvised. I spent the day playing this album on repeat and kept finding new moments that surprised me. This is what jazz should be. Outstanding.

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Feb 05 2024
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5

When I sit down at the piano, I always have the Köln Concert in mind. This is an album that worked like a little worm in my head, over many years, that slowly changed my playing, my approach to writing and performance, and my entire stance on how important it is to capture a moment is exactly as it is. Because that's what we're witnessing here: a captured moment. No artifice, no stage directions, no scene changes. Just a man versus the piano he was given. It's so, so beautiful. You can forget exactly how special it is that we have this on tape by spending too much time admiring Keith Jarrett's playing, or wondering, "how is he that good of a player?" You can forget that your job is to lose yourself in the same moment as he was in, as the audience was, when this took place. I'm so happy we have beautiful recordings of moments like this. It's why I collect recordings like this. It's why I love jam sessions, throwing a mic up, just living in the present with my recordings. It's really an attitude toward living. And it's SO BEAUTIFUL. God, Keith Jarrett. Thank you. A brilliantly-captured and well-deserved 5/5

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Jan 09 2024
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5

Jazz instrumentals is not my usual cuppa, but some of the playing on this one made me stomp my feet and bang my fingers on the office furniture. Not sure how much of this is down to the fact of age or the sheer musicianship on play. The guy improvises hooks that a team of songwriters would spend weeks in a studio to create.

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Sep 12 2023
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5

It's improvised ????! It's soooo fucking cool, smooth yet so upbeat at the end of the first part. What an awesome listening

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Mar 10 2023
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5

So so awe struck by this album. The improvised notes on a broken piano was a pure virtuoso performance of a talented master. Wish I could have heard it live. WOW

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Feb 07 2022
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5

There are some amazing moments on this album. I find it really poignant those moments when he struggles to find the groove and then suddenly it hits and the flow is just incredible. Some people are bothered by his vocalizations and I admit that it can become somewhat distracting but when you learn to listen around the vocalizing, to close your eyes and let the music wash over you it is a really all encompassing experience. 5 🌟

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Aug 06 2024
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4

Do you like the music from Peanuts but want to seem more cultured? This is the ticket - and that is not an insult whatsoever.

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Nov 12 2021
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3

Piano-instrument only which I love. Easy to listen to and have on in the background.

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Jan 27 2023
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5

Jarrett's soft moans of encouragement to his piano are the cherry on top of this amazing piece of music.

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Sep 25 2023
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4

Quite a dramatic backstory to this helps the music come alive beyond what you hear initially. I was going to make a crass analogy with my history of Doordash breakfast orders, but Jarrett's performance is too good for that. Embraces the best of both "jazz" and "classical", and makes me imagine catching this live would have been the '70s equivalent of seeing Liszt at his peak, man. Listening to this at a high school football game, where nothing happens repeatedly, may have enhanced my appreciation somewhat; think less, but see it grow. Another one that makes me glad I'm doing this project, good stuff. If you're interested, the burrito I salvaged was pretty great too.

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Feb 23 2023
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4

I encourage anyone who is about to listen to this record to also read about the story leading up to this performance. Absolutely ridiculous circumstances surrounding the show that really puts the songs in a different perspective. The music itself is great as well. Impressive improvisation throughout. Also surprising to me that a solo piano free-improvisation record became a best seller.

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Jan 30 2023
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4

Seeing this album on the list surprised me. I haven't listened to Koln in about eight years... In fact I'd almost completely forgotten about it and the life I was leading before the bright lights of Warwick uni took me to the Midlands. The record has a special place in my heart because the first girl I had a proper crush on and, crucially, also (briefly) dated showed me it. She was from one of the fancy schools in Bristol, could hear a song and play it back on the piano immediately, and got with me on sixth form results night. We then went out for about six classy weeks together. It was mega. Well, until she broke up with me on an indie club night on a boat. I had to wash up in a Brewer's Fayre for about ten hours the next day, I've rarely been more broken. The record itself is as good as I remember it. The opening section is maybe the finest solo piano performance around. It's all an improvisation and grows organically, in ways other pieces can't. Keith uses the whole piano, his feet and voice to occupy the place of an ochestra. The grunts and groans show you he knows exactly where he's going and how much he's feeling it. Perhaps most importantly for neo-classical music, Koln is a perfomance that's also very listenable. Jarret goes wild on the keys at points but also pulls back, giving the piece and audience space to breath and take it all in. I'd give it a five, but then again, Hettie also said I didn't kiss her enough when we split up in Thekla. You can't have your cake and eat it Ms Piano Girl. 4.5/5

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May 03 2024
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3

Very pleasant listen. Although I thought musically it was quite repetitive it kind of grows on you. The music builds up to a crescendo. I would have put it more in a light classical genre to that of jazz but I guess the overall tone of the piano was somewhat akin to jazz. It was hypnotic listening and very relaxing. 👍

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Sep 25 2023
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3

1. At last I get to listen to the full length Barry Norman theme. 2. This is the music played in Mel Gibson’s retirement home. 3. This album was better when they had Jarrett’s original song titles: “Sharon at the Rodeo”, “Miles Cut Yr Hair”, “Where’s My Currywürst, Vera?”, and “Tony, Get The Wheels!” This is obviously a powerful performance in its idiom, a record beloved by many, and a demonstration of what a virtuoso can do under what were apparently crappy circumstances. This is not something that was my jam today, but ended up being decent company for the hour before we went our separate ways.

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Jul 11 2023
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3

All very pleasant. I do like piano music, think of I could choose any instrument to be a master of, it would be the piano. The live recording of the concert made me feel like I've had a glimpse into a world which I wouldn't have experienced otherwise. Bravo He looks like Howard Moon on the cover. Probably won't listen again, but glad I did!

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Sep 29 2022
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3

What a phenomenal piano player, it’s just that I miss some kind of cohesion in the songs. Still, love the sound, but miss a clear path. Piano solo for an hour becomes background music at some point, but it still sounds incredible

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Mar 05 2025
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2

I wasn't a massive fan of this. It was fine and I enjoyed the bits that's sounded like The Sims music. I didn't like the weird grunting and singing along noises in the background. Off putting. A bit too long. Like obviously it was impressive piano playing so I'm not saying they're not a good piano composer/performer I just didn't really give a shit

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Mar 27 2025
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5

I probably need a few more listens to really unpack and get a true feel for this record, but I’ll gladly do so. This is an actual “record you need to hear before you die”, I think, and I wish there were more like it on the list. Jarrett’s playing is dense and complex, with many moments of absolute beauty. That it was improvised live is even more impressive.

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Jun 01 2024
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5

Don't really need to listen to this, but if you insist!

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May 30 2024
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5

YES I knew I had encountered this album before! A fucking monster of a solo piano record. With all the vamping that occurs, this feels very close to a funk record, basically stripped right down to the studs.

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May 08 2024
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5

It’s honestly crazy to me that this is all improv

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May 03 2024
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5

Learnt from the wiki page the piano used was small and suboptimal (lacking in bass). Does not show however in the album, beautiful piano, upbeat and intense improv runs. Liked the change in tempo and styles throughout the tracks and album/

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May 30 2024
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4

Jazz is always a daunting genre for me, as I find myself either bored, hating it, or very rarely, in love. However, I feel like I've not gotten to encounter a lot of piano-focused jazz, let alone solely piano. I know how to play piano, or at least I like to think I do, so listening to this album, I was just in awe the entire time by the moments packed here. Many, MANY fantastic little ambient interpolations among chord progressions and passages of pure euphoria among Keith Jarrett's playing, and you can tell he is certainly into it as well, with his moaning and the such, which reminds me a little of Robert Wyatt. The first track, despite its length, has a ton of stuff to love, and is worth the price of admission, so the next three tracks are just cool bonuses. They capture the concert hall feeling perfectly, where you are solely focused on the playing, and very little else, and it can be entrancing. It is pretty long, and because of that parts of songs can feel unnecessary, but whenever a moment pops up I truly adore it all feels worthwhile. This may be a bit different of a jazz record, but it is pretty far up my alley, and I'm glad to have enjoyed it.

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May 13 2024
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4

So I really enjoyed the Koln Concert album by Keith Jarrett – though I do tend to enjoy piano compositions by excellent musicians… I have enjoyed some of the longer piano pieces by Keith Emerson (ELP), Rick Wakeman (Yes), and the solo artist George Winston among others, and this one was right up there with them… Perhaps what contributed to my enjoyment, was the story surrounding it, as it’s just amazing… - Long drive earlier in the day from Switzerland to Germany for the performance, so late arrival… - Not much time for dinner, and then off to the venue… - Had not slept well for several nights, and was wearing a brace for back pain… - Had to play on a relatively crappy piano due to miscommunication of what he really needed… - Was a live performance, and the substandard piano had pedals and key sections were barely functional, so limiting what he could actually play… And then on top of all of this, Jarrett basically improvised all of the pieces he played that evening… It’s stunning to me that he could play that well given all of the issues that he was dealing with, and to create those compositions on the spot – as I find that truly amazing… Was awesome that the concert was recorded, and stands as a triumph of make the best of a challenging situation for sure… Enjoyed every bit of this, and never would have found it without the 1,001… This is stellar top-to-bottom, and gets a solid 4 form me – and would probably give it a 4.25 if I could…

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May 08 2024
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4

Well this is just delightful, one of the best piano performances I've heard. Elegant but playful and expressive. Completely enjoyable to hear. The story behind this makes it all the more impressive. Fave Songs: Part I, Part II a

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Apr 10 2025
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3

It was the worst snow storm in 30 years. The piano was an old packing crate strung with fencing wire that had been dropped out of a third storey window. Keith Jarrett had smallpox, dysentery and one leg amputated below the knee. The crowd rioted because he refused to play The Chicken Dance. It was all recorded to wax cylinder. This is one of those records where the story is half (more than half?) of the pleasure of the album, and the story seems to get embellished with every telling. Really, this just 65 minutes of pleasantly lyrical improvisation, vamping over a few chords. But people talk about it like it's the Taj Mahal of improvisational jazz (which it ain't). I find this to be pleasant dinner party wallpaper. It's unchallenging piano bar jazz. It's jazz for people who want to tell you how much they like jazz, but don't actually like jazz. It concerns me that you can get the transcripts (arranged for piano or guitar!) for this album, and that people are learning it note for note. That's missing the whole point, people -- this was a moment in time, now go forth and improvise your own thing! I think that Keith Jarrett would agree. 2.5 stars, rounding up because it really is a great story, truth be told.

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Jan 31 2024
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3

Nr. 114/1001 Part I 3/5 (3x) Part II A 3/5 (2x) Part II B 3/5 (2x) Part II C 4/5 Average: 3,13 Really impressive that this was completely improvised

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Jan 30 2024
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3

This was pretty good, overall. Nice as a background sort of thing.

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Jan 24 2024
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2

The performance was fair, but the sounds he made throughout were weird and distracting, even for a live album, where minor interruptions and inconveniences are to be expected and forgiven.

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Aug 01 2023
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2

Very interesting finding out that this is all improv. Wasn’t really that into listening to just piano for over an hour but also didn’t hate it.

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Apr 22 2025
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1

I am the music man. I come from far away and I can play. (What can you play?) I play the piano. Pia pia piano piano piano – Pia pia piano pia piano An hour of uninteresting piano playing. Dull!

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May 12 2025
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5

After two albums that I struggled to get through, I was so relieved to see this come up as my assignment for the day. This album is an absolute treasure that I have listened to an astounding number of times. I really don't listen to a lot of jazz or solo piano but this album seems to hit all the right notes and it just creates a perfect place to escape to. I read something about this album a while ago and it mentioned that some people complain about his spontaneous utterances during the performance but to me they are magnificent. It is those moments when the music he is creating affects him deeply, an unconscious realization that "this is fucking amazing what I am doing here" and we all get lost in it with him. I couldn't love this album more than I do. Can I have a sixth star for this one?

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May 07 2025
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5

yes 5/5 yes 5/5 yes 5/5 yes i did an analysis of this concert in yr 9 yes i have the original cd yes i have all the songs on my playlist yes this is the greatest jazz album of all time yes

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May 05 2025
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5

Incredible. I particularly liked II b but this is beautiful throughout and it’s simply wild that a human can do this.

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May 03 2025
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5

Oh, wow. One minute and twenty-one seconds of a standing ovation is only right. Really, really beautiful. The tone was absolutely impeccable; warm, while still retaining mystery and glamour. Just purely magnificent all-around. Perfect album.

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Apr 30 2025
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5

After reading this guy sued Steely Dan for copyright infringement, and getting this the day after reviewing Steely Dan's Aja yesterday is a coincidence worthy of a chuckle. This usually isn't my style, but wow, what a beautiful piece of music. I can see why this is the best selling piano work of all time. The story behind this is great, and the fact it's all improvised is unreal. I don't know shit about piano, chords, or music in general; but I do assume that playing piano like this is particularly hard. Fucks knows, though. It does linger on for a bit long, but that is probably just my inept Gen-Z brain demanding more brainrot Instagram reels since I hadn't gotten my dopamine fix today. I enjoyed every moment of this nonetheless. Truly spectacular. I also enjoyed the audience input for not apparent reason, unless they're in on something I'm not, which is likely. I spent a lot of time during this record reflecting on all the music on my journey with 1001 so far, and the 200+ albums I've rated thus far. I'm incredibly thankful for finding this site, by sheer coincidence of looking for a random album generator. Unrelated to the record, I know, but I think a good piano ballad really does encourage deep thinking. Maybe I'm just being pretentious, who knows. Really hard to believe I'd give some cunt just playing a piano for an hour a 5, but here we are!

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Apr 30 2025
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5

There is no other way to describe this other than it was a thoroughly pleasant experience that I enjoyed immensely. Definitely could have been longer. 9/10

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Apr 30 2025
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5

Arguably more famous for the circumstances regarding its recording than the music itself. However, I did not know this until about halfway through my first listen. As a self-professed Cro-Magnon tier consumer of Jazz, I can't say much about the intricacies of the music but I was frankly blown away when I realised that this is entirely improvisational. Specifically 7:20 to about 8:45 in Part I is magical, I was totally rapt. I have no idea what the artist did on his keyboard but I know what I will be doing on mine: Typing "Keith Jarrett LP for sale" into google.

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Apr 29 2025
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5

I don’t know what it is about jazz. I either really love it, or I really don’t want to listen to it at all. This I loved, this was great, a pleasure to listen to.

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Apr 29 2025
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5

Great record one of the best examples of improving jazz with a great story behind it

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Apr 28 2025
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5

Really enjoyed learning more about this after I listened to it, I think if I knew before hand it was improvising I would have been listening out for it, but it stood as a work of art in it's own right.

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Apr 28 2025
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5

There is a reason why this is the best-selling "jazz" album. It's a bop.

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Apr 25 2025
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5

Found this really easy and relaxing to listen to at the end of a busy day. That doesn't mean it was background music - it captured my attention. Will listen again.

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Apr 25 2025
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5

Really pleased when this style of music gets an airing during this project. The samey rock guitar stuff can get monotonous at times! Beautifully arranged music and a pleasure to listen to, despite the protestations!

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Apr 24 2025
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5

10/10 Everything about this concert experience was amazing. The crazy backstory was great to read, but more importantly the music. Jarrett absolutely killed this improvisation. His adlibs gave off the impression that he was one with the music, and so I was fully invested too. He was nonstop flowing on the piano. I would definitely come back to this album as it was truly an experience to remember

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Apr 22 2025
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5

a solo piano performance that combines (post) minimalism with jazz harmonic ideas is basically something plucked right from my imagination and i have to stand in awe of its reality. i will listen to this many more times, but for as many Landmarks as there are (including more impressionist sections, sections that pull more directly from the language of western popular music, more minimal sections and more overwhelming sections) i can tell i want this to be as un-navigable for as many listens as i can, so the best parts can surprise me every time. u will be unsurprised to learn that several progression and vamps, sometimes fleeting ones, moved me almost to tears. maybe the final answer for What Is Music Supposed To Sound Like

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Apr 17 2025
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5

Ik heb me erg laten verassen door dit album. Totaal niet mijn smaak maar heeft me toch kunnen raken. Erg gevoelig pianospel, wat niet eens heel jazzy klinkt, maar wel onder een jazz concert zou vallen. Dit klinkt naar mijn oren meer geïmproviseerd pianospel in de stijl van klassiek dan jazz. Desalniettemin een geweldige luister ervaring, zelfs voor iemand die nooit naar zulke muziek luistert. Ik wou het eerst 2 sterren geven maar die man in het publiek ging zo hard hierop dat ik het er maar op moest geloven dat dit een geweldig optreden was. 5 sterren!

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Apr 17 2025
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5

Thought this was sensational. I'm sure some jazz purists may not like it, and I can hear some of the pop and easy listening tropes along the way, but not sure I've ever heard someone so inside their playing before.

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Apr 17 2025
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5

i adore this album. it inspired me to listen to other Jarrett albums, but nothing is quite as passionate or emotional as this one; it’s the best live album i’ve ever heard

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Apr 12 2025
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5

I never knew I would enjoy one hour of piano improvising this much. This never got boring at any time and his playing is just incredible (I can only dream of being able to play the piano like this). The backstory behind this concert is very interesting as well. This list needs more albums like this.

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Apr 10 2025
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5

The piano is a piece of crap. Some of the keys don’t work. Some of the remaining keys are out of tune. The audience is expecting something different. Jarrett is in a foul mood. The album is transcendent. How to work within limitations to expand boundaries A top 10 jazz album. And a must listen.

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Apr 07 2025
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5

Beautiful, atmospheric piano music

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Apr 01 2025
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5

What a wonderful thing to be lost in.

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Apr 01 2025
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5

Unbelievable. One of those meteoric pieces that the world conspired in a bunch of mistaken ways to birth. Jarrett’s felling and genius comes through in every note. He made this instrument sing like only a true virtuoso could. This very much deserves to be the best selling solo jazz album. Going to buy a copy now.

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Mar 29 2025
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5

I had a friend who said "Why would I go and watch **** live? I can listen to all their songs perfectly on CD." For me, this album is the reason. Songs shouldn't exist in one perfect form - they are living, evolving things. And on this album, with Keith Jarrett improvising them from the musical either, that is demonstrated to perfection. He shows music isn't about the best piano, the best rehearsed, the best produced. It is also about the immediacy of the moment. My only problem with this album is that it sometimes reminds me of the theme tunes to those 80s US law dramas! They really spoilt melodic jazz for me.

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Mar 28 2025
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5

Do yourself a favour and find a quiet spot put on some headphones and enjoy the ride.

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Mar 27 2025
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5

Solo Jazz piano crossing over into a quiet small 70s drama soundtrack - brilliant

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Mar 27 2025
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5

Never would have listened to this if it weren't for this project, and I loved every minute. Absolutely worth reading the wiki article for the background of this recording.

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Mar 26 2025
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5

This was beautiful. Like, this was actually beautiful. After learning the story of this album, this is genuinely one of the best albums I've ever heard. Knowing this is the best selling Piano and solo Jazz album of all time, just makes me happy. Truly incredible this whole thing was improvised. Truly a miraculous album.

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Mar 24 2025
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5

This was beautiful. This is exactly the type of album I was hoping to discover through this project. Keith Jarrett is insanely talented and I'm blown away by how phenomenal this album is.

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Mar 17 2025
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5

This album is one where I know it's at least a 4, but I could see it going up to a 5, if I find myself going back to it frequently enough. This also inspired me to check out more of Keith Jarrett's stuff, who I'd never heard of before. I really appreciate his playing style, which reminded me a bit of Gould. I'm putting my favorite track as the last one mostly out of necessity, because while I prefer part 2, it's split across 2 tracks and so doesn't really function as 1 song. I also really got a kick out of the synchronized clapping at the end. Edit: I'm moving it up to a 5! Favorite Track: Part II c

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Mar 16 2025
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5

Got me into some reading a book on the train core. I was listening to the beautifull piano sets and the time passed unseen

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Mar 11 2025
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5

Learning not to trust my preconceptions. An hour of live solo piano improvisation from 1975, what could possibly be worse (musically that is)? Well … Keith Jarrett has joined the jazz and classical oceans to create a beautiful recording that carries so many moments of musicality it is extraordinary.

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Mar 08 2025
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5

Where has this been my whole life? Absolutely beautiful piano. Not only will I be returning to this often, I will be seeking out much more of his music.

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Mar 01 2025
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5

Me 138 days ago: An hour long piano album?! Why the hell would I listen to that? Me when this generated: This sounds awesome! Bring it on. This album was brilliant and really shows how my tastes have changed since starting this project.

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Feb 28 2025
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5

Amazing. Wish I could see it live. So much emotion in one instrument

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Feb 20 2025
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5

In a word: perfection. I didn’t know how I’d feel as I both love ECM but sometimes want to fall asleep out of boredom. But this is a triumph. To know that Jarrett was improvising all of this makes it all the more awe-inspiring on the soul and depth of his playing. It surpasses technical skill - these songs sway, swing, punch, lilt, and ultimately hover and linger in brilliant melodies and rhythms. Part 1 is my favorite, but 2 grew on me more on a second listen, and I anticipate there will be many more listens to come. 5/5, no doubts.

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Feb 20 2025
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5

just gorgeous!!! the story behind this is absolutely worth reading too. mind-boggling solo lines over ever-evolving progressions; it's amazing how engaging he manages to keep this over the span of an hour plus. one of those jazz records where i can't help but imagine the performer in front of me

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Feb 18 2025
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5

Unexpectedly exactly what i needed that day

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Feb 16 2025
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5

It’s a 5 obvs. All this is improvised after a really shitty day. It’s just phenomenal

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Feb 13 2025
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5

I might intentionally inflate this rating since this is my mother's favorite record ever and she had told me about it many times. I really did enjoy it as well, though. Keith is a master of improv on the piano and keeps it engaging throughout with changes in the tempo of finding an interesting little rift to 'vamp' over (new vocab learned from the Wiki). Truly an impressive performance! 9/10

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Feb 13 2025
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5

Listened to this twice while driving back from LA. Astounding live performance (maybe the best I’ve ever heard. Unbelievably dynamic & vivacious. No critiques from me. Couldn’t even fathom one.

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Jan 30 2025
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5

Beautiful concert. And the story behind it makes it so much cooler. Keith Jarrett was tired and arrived to the concert hall to a shitty piano that had some broken keys. He nearly canceled. But he still went out there, and delivered some incredible piano work. Those noises he makes are just from being so shocked at how good his improvisations sound. This album's a treat

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Jan 30 2025
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5

Storm of ideas, versatile, very melodic and complex. With all the melody randomness feels like a window into the person's heart

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