The Köln Concert

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

Inesperado, brillante. 5/5

Lovely, interesting piano.

I went into this expecting not to be impressed. After all, how can an album of improvised jazz piano be one of the most essential albums to listen to? But it was beautiful, exciting, and full of ideas. I actually quite liked it. Nonetheless, Keith Jarrett didn’t spend hours crafting the pieces, so it’s not as noteworthy, right? Lately I’ve been watching “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” It’s one of the funniest shows ever made—so quotable, memorable, hilarious. It is great largely BECAUSE it was improvised. It has made me realize my bias with this album. Just like “Whose Line,” this album is great because it is improvised. That is part of what makes it so special.

3.4

i don’t love only piano… but it was pretty and maybe if i was making cuisine with fiends i’d listen to it uhhh prolly not

This is not for me, but it is not bad. Incredible pianist.

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

Some of the best solo jazz piano you’ll ever hear. Great upon a first listen and gets better with every spin. Impressive, extended improvisations that don’t get dull or wanky. Excellent for active or passive listening.

It‘s a great piano album for sure, but sometimes I was looking for more of a theme or „roter Faden“ throughout the whole piece.

This doesn’t seem super groundbreaking, but I’m probably wrong.

Hard to hate. But hard to love too.

Good music.

wow. this is fantastic. wish i had this on vinyl!

Enjoyable piano album, doesn't sound like jazz to me, but maybe because it's solo piano. The story and how it was fully improvised, especially for what the final product sounds like, is amazing. 4*. Good background music, had to listen to it twice. The random yells are weird though.

Favorite Tracks: You should just listen to the whole album, if you are gonna listen.

Rating: 8/10

This is a great album, have loved it for decades.

Sublime

It's just not all that. A boring record.

Sehr schöne Überraschung. Kannte ich noch nicht und echt angenehm zu hören.l - zum Ende aber bisschen anstrengend. Außerdem Köln

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

Elevator music

First song ended peppy and fun Second song was ok Part IIb was nice as well The crown or someone going 'ooohhhh' every once in awhile is amusing Nothing special but not bad

Ah soothing Sunday hangover music. I know because I have a hangover. Unfortunately, I don’t have hangovers everyday, so 2/5

Never heard of this person before this listen.

Good piano along with some happy Germans in the background

This was a great album, it was legitimately surprising at times.

Some beautiful piano music in here. Of course, it isn't as engaging as a lyrical pop song but if you listen to it and pay attention, it's still pretty incredible.

A very unique and interesting album, I enjoyed it while I listened to it, but I don't think I will ever actively listen to this again, but maybe as background music.

Gorgeous and moving jazz piano performance, spanning the full range of human emotion, and flaunting Jarrett's tremendous ability to find and build on simple melodies. Adventurous, but also incredibly accessible. The story behind this album makes it even more impressive.

Knew of Keith Jarrett but not this album but having now listened cannot believe I have missed this for nearly half a century. What a corker of an album which if it even doesn’t happen again has made subscribing to this site so worthwhile. One man and one piano making music up on the hoof has kept me captivated for over an hour. This is one of the best improvisations I have ever heard and it goes beyond my level of understanding on how the hell it is done. So talented. Jazz (if this is pure jazz, i’m not so sure) used to leave me cold but recently I have become more interested in it so I was very receptive in giving this record a listen. Hearing just the few notes I knew I was hooked. For a live album it is also sonically excellent. When the music gets upbeat I hear Keith (I assume) shouting in the background and in pleasure, along to his rhythm’s adding to the warmth and intensity of the music. Having read the background to this concert I know that it was thwarted with various problems so I’m astounded that such an excellent piece of music resulted at all. So impressed I’ve now bought the album!

4.0

I'm not sure I enjoyed this. I'm sure its good it just isn't my thing.

This is a mindblowing musical and improvisational achievement. I had heard of Jarrett but wasn't aware of how good his music was.

ovako bzvz i dosadno, nisam neki fan samo klavira na ovaj nacin. Super bi pasalo u lobbyju hotela

ne mogu virovat da je ovo improvizacija!!! odlican mi je, ko love child Debussyja i jazza

Wuhuu super. Pogotovo s malo više konteksta kojeg san pronašla u reviewu

Lijepo baš, mood u šetnji prema doma

Listened to this several hundred times 5 stars

It was fine . Uneventufl

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.

Brilliant performance. Pure musicianship.

I’d heard of Keith Jarrett before. But I hadn’t heard this somehow. I will purchase this record next time I see it. Couldn’t tell who was making the noises but it turns out it was him the whole time! A great find.

Piano go brrrrrrrr

Nice piano noodling

Not my taste in music. While I think his piano playing is excellent, just not something I'm into listening to.

This is wild, didn’t even know what I was listening to, the sporadic groans are a bit off putting. Can tell this man is really into what he’s creating. The idea that the whole album is improvised is amazing to me, but still I’m not likely to replay this often.

grew on me as it went on, but not for me really ;’0

Pt I Ends beautifully and triumphantly. Pt. II A should have been Pt. imo, it gives me more of an intro / waking up feel then Pt. I This entire album is a journey Best Song: Pt. II A Worst Song: N/A

This album is the epitome of music's core function: it invites you to be completely absorbed in the present, to navigate the depths of your emotions, and to resonate with the shared experience of others. It only took one poor-quality piano and one tireless trooper on stage to bring this masterpiece to life.

4 stars I dig it.

good.

Beautiful piano.

Ten minutes in and I was already amazed by his ability to weave in and out of melodic ideas and different motifs. The audible woo’s and noises he makes confirms that he is but a vehicle for these beautiful motifs to manifest on the keys. I needed a new type of calming background music and this is it

Great chill piano vibes. Didn't love his noises in the background lol

Pretty interesting jazz piano album. Not my favorite genre but the tracks each definitely take you on a journey.

Ok. A little bit out of my comfort zone.

Not a huge fan.. I can respect the craftsmanship and the talent (and time) that went into it, but I am not a fan of piano instrumentals.

Somewhat soothing I suppose but something I could listen to only as background noise

Beautiful ethereal emotional journey. genius

Inspiring

Iha jees

Like it, made me relaxed while I was a little agitated,

Was ok. Just not my style of music enjoyed for studying but I found the pieces were quite long

I usually appreciate concert music, just today was not in the mood for it :/

Only learned at the very end that whole thing was improvised...super cool

How fucken boring. A whole hour of piano improv. I can't see myself enjoying this anytime soon

I enjoyed this performance, but as it's simply improvised piano, it's not something I personally will come back to often, if at all. Regardless, with the story and some really nice melodies out of the ether it's a great piece of work, just not for me.

Background music. Interesting story (cautionary tales podcast)

I didn't know what to expect, but this was a delightful listen. It turns out it is a piano concert.

Ok

From my point of view, this is an excentric release for this list, so I think it's pretty hard to evaluate it using the same metrics. As a Jazz album from a monstrously talented pianist, it's perfect, and it also works very well as background music, but it lacks some diversity that I'm used to getting from the albums on the 1001 list. It's understandable since it was a live presentation that should not be released as an album, but still, it was, and it was included on the list.

Boring

Typically, avantgarde offerings here from Keith. Listen with headphones and note how he hums and sings in unison with his musical offerings. Percussive, melodic and thematic – this is solo piano of the highest order that may be a little to conceptual for some but well worth your attention. If solo piano is your bag, then well worth checking out the more contemporary Chilli Gonzalez’s offerings (Solo Piano 1, 2 and 3)

Quality music. 3/5 because it isn't my go to kind of "jazz" for listening, but wouldn't be upset if I listened to it again.

Lovely!

I am bored

Best Songs: N/A (Not that kind of album) Listen Again: No

I gave it 20 minutes. It'd be great if I was sitting in a waiting room. Actively listening to an album... not so much.

Good piano playing , but this just turns into background noise for me.

I appreciate the freestyled nature of his work… it blended classical piano with jazz. Its beautiful

It's funny how much I was not into this in the first 30 seconds and how much I really enjoyed it by the end. I'm definitely not a piano music guy but if you were to tell me this is thre greatest piano album of all time I'd have to believe you because it was pretty good.

I have never been so moved by music in my life. A man and a piano providing a building, swirling, enveloping auditory experience that defies explanation and must be heard, begs to be heard. I confess I barely have words for the technical aspects other than “sheer brilliance.” Transcendent listening that I cannot recommend enough.

-piano only -fun and lively album -great live recording -not familiar with this artist, will have to dive deeper

I don’t know much about jazz, but I know this dude can play the piano. There were time almost too many notes were played and the melody couldn’t really be heard. And I could do without the occasional moan. But the ivories were definitely tickled and it was quite enjoyable to listen to

This album was pretty. Not my favorite piano album but still lovely.

Legendär und schön.

El piano siempre es god la verdad. La verdad es que hoy no era el mood para escuchar solo piano, pero bueno jaja

me gusta mucho el piano y me encanta escuchar a la gente tocarlo pero no ha sido mi sesión favorita la verdad. no lo volvería a escuchar 5/10

Wow, it's amazing how one man and a piano can deliver such a varying and strong emotional atmosphere and response. It's not the kind of piano jazz I'm used to, it is general higher tempo with more 'oomph', but it's great and reaches areas that La La Land solo jazz piano can't. If I want to put some piano jazz on, this may become a 'go to' album. Rating: 4.5/5 Playlist track: Part II C Date listened: 13/01/24

Otherworldly live album. Jarrett pulls sounds and moods out of the piano previously unheard to me. Loved every minute.

6/10 Nice piano music

could i write poetry to this? n

This is the best-selling solo jazz album ever?!? Over an hour of aimless noodling in the middle registers of the piano. It literally goes nowhere. Wake me up when it's over.

Not a bad album. But I did feel like I was shopping at Nordstroms all day

Probably like a 2.5 for me. Some interesting stuff peppered throughout, but better off as background music for me.

Live album: minus one point Super long songs: minus one point Enjoyable background music.

Extraordinary!

don't know much about jazz but I enjoyed this

chilllll

It's beautiful playing, but I'm not sold on the improv solo album concept. It needs something. A sonata has intention and structure. Improv in groups as the intensity of collaboration and people listening to each other, reacting to each other in a kind of dialogue. Imagining being in that live audience, where I could feel what Keith was reacting to, leaves me with a 'guess you had to be there' feeling. This can "go with" something. You can put it on while watching the snow fall outside. Or perhaps watching a concert film where he's doing this. Even then I can't imagine that my mind wouldn't wander to other things. It might be too pretty.

Bof. Ennuyeux.

Boriiiing. Je ne suis pas fan du jazz ni du 100% piano. Le mix des 2 ne fait pas de miracle.

This is a wrapping sound... I can't stop to listen it!

Repetitive

This in inspiring. I could listen to this concert 50 times and be moved by a different section. I love that the background grunts or hums from Jarrett alongside theater noise. It's a sudden reminder that this incredible work is live AND improvised. The first 10 minutes or so just feels like Jarrett getting a sense of the instrument before settling into the first couple of riffs and from there he's a guide for a wonderful night. I wish I had better music language and theory under my belt to truly appreciate all that's happening. As I said, the work becomes inspiring and forms a reason to find that information.

This album is so good. I got turned into it by a podcast I heard years ago.

masterpiece

Keith Jarrett - Köln Concert When this album popped up I was worried. Jazz? I can't stand jazz! But I committed to this challenge and I'm going to give every album a chance. And I am so glad I did! This album is so good and when you take time to understand what it took to make this concert happen and everything that led to the recording, you can't help but to be amazed. The fact that this is just one man and a piano blows my mind. And that it was all made up as he sat down to play on a piano that he wasn't familiar with is so inspiring. This would have been an album I would have put on in in college to play as I went to sleep. It's melodic, beautiful, and I'm so glad it popped up as the album I was to review today. This album truly surprised me and the backstory of how this album/performance came together adds to the experience. 5 out of 5

Keith Jarrett ist one of kind. Jazz at its best. Thanks for that epic evening listening to that very long concert. He is one of a kind. Great. Simplicity and perfection.

Traumhaft. Wunderbar. Ich liebe diese Platte die ich im Original besitze.

Jazz. Puh. Auch harmonisch, aber weiterhin nur nichts für mich.

It was good working music for me. I don't understand why the applause was included (but it was lowkey rhythmic) - 7/10

Sounds fine but so long, couldn't appreciate it more than what I heard. They really kept all of the applause. High 2.

Good background music fs but dont think it was particularly compelling… not sure why its the best selling piano album 7/10 round down

Wow! Two good ones in a row. I had not heard of this guy but apparently he played with all the big jazz names of the mid/late 20th century. I liked this album a lot, especially the first song. I really like how raw the production is, it’s cool to hear him shouting and hollering and also hear him using the pedal — it makes me feel like I’m there live. He hits The Lick at 18:15 in the first song, showing that he is a true cat. And he was born in Allentown PA! The music is brilliant and amazing but it didn’t quite keep my interest the entire time, so docking a point. Very awesome still. 9/10

7/10 - I quite enjoyed most of the pieces. However the intermittent clapping and cheering was weird and ruined the immersion. If I had more work to do I could 100% turn this on and grind it out.

decent piano music, but got kinda stale after a while. 5/10

I feel like I can only focus on listening to something like this for so long before I just kinda start to get bored and tune it out. Still good though. 6.5/10

I liked it a lot. Piano music.

Day 3/1001 First time listening to a piano jazz album - why did it take me all this time? The improv is so joyous, vibrant and bouncy - all the more astounding after reading about the difficulties with organizing the concert beforehand. Phenomenal work of art.

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.

Just to sit back and listen.

This was wonderful. Uplifting music to play at work.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

Love this album. Reminds me of a more improvised George Winston. It's wonderful to imagine him just really getting into playing and having such a great time doing it. I had never heard of this album or Keith Jarrett before but I will definitely be looking up more from him. This is the kind of thing I was hoping for when starting on these 1001 albums - new (to me) music that I can explore deeper.

It's all very nice, but I half expected to find out I was in the concourse of a huge marble concourse of a top-tier hotel, or the middle of some video game like Journey or My Time At Portia. Can't fault it, but I doubt I'm going to rush back - but I could be wrong about that.

SO CHILL. Perfect work music. Dig.

This is a great concert that shows how versatile Jarrett was at his peak.

Perfection

New music to me. Engafing and lively.

I did not know what to expect, but I found myself mesmerized by the piano playing. I wish I could play this well. I was put off by the moans, but I thought maybe his left hand was aching from the constant movement. Great background music for reading.

Wow! I had never heard it. So grateful to be enlightened! Very powerful!

Jazz falls into one of those genres that I could take or leave. Was encouraged by the first track…very listenable and actually enjoyed it. He lost me on the third track, then pulled me back in on the fourth. I could see myself adding this to my very limited jazz collection, though. Great stuff to have on at a party, or to listen to intently.

Like it

Lovely background music, beautiful concert

Impressive given the whole thing was improvised live.

Pretty entertaining but a little too long. Could have done with just Part 1.

Instrumental. Like this a lot! Relaxing w pep. Famous live piano performance. Not exactly my style, but good stuff.

Not bad. But you definitely have to be in the mood.

I wish I could play piano like that, or improvise like that on an instrument that I am actually competent in. 5/5

I meannnn It's alright. Dude is REALLY good at piano, so I'll give him credit for that

Beautiful

1/4/24

Sweet, still never would replay this one

its a fun album. personally, the tracks were a little bit too big for me to add it to my playlist and listen casually. i also got a bit annoyed by the moans in the background?? they sounded like a Sims character really enjoying a movie or something, that distracted me so much.

Masterful.

Very nice love piano music

Great stuff.

Pt. I // Pt. II B //

Classical!

What a masterpiece. 5 stars.

This has an amazing backstory that earns this a place in the book on its own, but I really enjoyed the piano in some places, too. Easy 5.

Pure piano. Not for me but props for the talent.

nice bit of jazz piano. pretty intense in places.

Piano Wizzard

5 stars. Mainly by concept itself and execution. I've listened to couple of albums on this list so far but this is the biggest surprise, I'm sure that I wouldn't listen to this type of music by my choice.

You kidding me

imaginative. loose. resonate. this is a performance that needs to be heard to be believed. jarrett lays resonating foundations that build upon themselves to create wonderfully creative and engaging solos. this collection of only four tracks would be perfect for studying or creating all sorts of outlines or sketches... i would give it a perfect 5 if i could, but as great as it is, it's not something i would imagine residing in a spot in my collection, or at least not yet. maybe a relisten is in order. also jarrett's occasionally grunts and exclamations. that's something! hell, maybe i'd do the same if i was that skilled at the piano and making improvisations as i go.

I love ECM recordings for their quiet, still, atmospheric sound and this album fits in that vein. I don't hold this in as high acclaim as its reputation but it was an enjoyable listen and would make for nice relaxing background music. 3.5/5

Album 262 of 1001 Keith Jarrett - The Köln Concert Rating : 4 / 5 I don't think there is much in the genre that can claim to be any better than this. If you enjoy hearing a great pianist play, this should be required listening. Such a joy to listen to. If you listen closely, you can hear Jarrett, himself, let out with his own howls of joy, as he plays. I first heard this several months ago as I was listening through the 1001 Albums playlist and it just blew me away. One of those that stuck with me for a few days. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys some great piano playing.

The last song for sure

This is the kind of thing my parents used to play at dinnertime.

Of course it's extremely excellent playing by an extremely talented person. Just not the kind of album I am going to revisit.

#73. It's just some guy fiddlefucking around on a piano for an hour. He's not even playing any particular song, he's just noodling about for a bit. You know the phrase "this meeting could have been an email?" Well similarly this album could have a Youtube video. I don't care if Youtube didn't exist in 1975, that's your problem. Figure it out. Wikipedia said people only paid $1.72 to go watch this, and well, I suppose paying less than two dollars to listen to some improv isn't that bad. At least it wasn't terrible, I guess. 3/5: whatever Song added to playlist: Part II C I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link

Incredibly enjoyable jazz classical fusion genre, I didn't know the artist before listening but loved the entire performance. Amazing musical talent.

Very nice piano music. I could have used a little something else added to it. An hour plus of piano is a lot of piano.

A live solo piano album that runs over an hour. No, wait, come back! Read the Wikipedia article about this album, the sun-standard piano, Jarrett wearing a back brace and almost refusing to play. The end result is like catching lightning in a bottle - a brilliant display of what solo jazz piano can be.

Fantastic album. I had been warned about Jarrett's spontaneous moaning, however I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was barely audible on this album. This is some of the most beautiful piano music I've ever heard.

I liked it!

Really nice. Impressive musician and bonus points for lowering my BP.

Very nice improvised piano. Weird clap rhythm at the end.

This guy can really play but hardly the type of album I look to listen to

The story behind this recording is wild.

Лепа класика за слушање у позадини. 7/10

Loved it. And I liked how it just rolled on into each new song like it was a continuous 1 hour song.

After knowing more about the background of this album, I was able to understand its power and influence. It is like a sonic picture. An unique and unpredictable moment captured by the recording. Inspiring and captivating.

Piano is nice but sad?

Good

Jazz! I never thought it could be so pleasant.

Good, I'm sure. Not my thing ... or at least not in this high of a quantity.

I would never choose to listen to this again, it simply doesn't interest me, but it's not bad.

It was good background music! I don’t enjoy when there isn’t a lot of variety in music, so this was kind of boring, but it was very impressive. I feel like I should have enjoyed it more than I did. I did NOT like the singing/mouth noises that were faintly audible sometimes.

sure was a piano in there huh. made for fine background music while at work, but this neither stirred anything in my nor stands out in my mind. will probably never listen again. 1.5

Hey, this wasn't that bad. I think my issue with improv jazz is that I start liking one part and then one of the 27 jam session members starts doing something else and it all gets weird for three minutes. Less of an issue with one guy on a piano.

Listened to this so many times. One of my favourites.

One of my favorite jazz albums of all time, although calling it jazz is somewhat of a misnomer in my opinion. Piano improvisation from a master. Perfect.

Provavelmente inovador e lindo, mas precisa de uma vibe específica pra ouvir esse álbum

Loved it to bits! Absolutely phenomenal 😍

Anytime an album is comprised of just one instrument I am hesitant. Especially because I'm not a very big fan of the piano on it's own. When I was actively listening I actually found myself really enjoying the ride. Keith does a good job of constantly mixing up what he's playing to help prevent it from getting stale. But eventually I did lose interest at times and I would get distracted by other things. Thankfully, this album works just as well for background music. The jazzy/improv nature of it makes it so that you can pop in and out of paying attention to it without feeling like you've lost your place. All in all, the fact that this is all improv and learning the story behind the creation of this album bumps it from a 3 to a 4 for me. Which is significant because my expectation when I saw that it was a solo piano album was that I'd come out of it with a 1 or 2. Just undeniable mastery of one's craft.

Nice background music for work. Impressive this was all improvised

Incredible that is was all improvised. Would listen to again.

Solo piano, unprepared, recorded by ECM has a certain ceiling of avant-garde. Jarrett develops his pieces in black-and-white length, dynamic range and vocalizations within dinner-party limits. When he hits the upper registers and/or switches styles, the music opens up in a big way. He never careens, never tires, and the record is utterly honest to a certain kind of live experience.

Prachtig piano album heeft me heerlijk door mijn assignment dag heen getrokken

Mooi album maar niet beste piano muziek die ik ooit heb gehoord ofzo. Wel een goed album maar niet “beste aller tijden”

Super interesting at times. A lot of what you hear about this album revolves around the story of the bad piano and how everyone overcame their problems to produce one of the best Jazz albums ever. It's like the Michael Jordan \"flu game\" in the 1998 NBA finals. You won! Why belabor it? If I didn't know any of the story, I think I might like it better. Is the story making excuses for a poor performance? Doesn't sound like it. The music itself plows vigorously through a wide range of feelings, tempos, techniques. I don't know a lot about music theory but I'm sure there's tons to dissect in this. It really is an impressive work. Verges on stepping into uncharted territory sometimes, but is a little timid in that regard - I would like to here more experimental sounds. I really like some of the atonal harmonics the piano gives off, especially apparent in the first minutes of Part I. I hear a lot of influence, from Bob James to Radiohead. Interesting album and pleasant. A little like a soundtrack, as Keith Jarret himself has said, but transcendant nonetheless (felt like pretentiousness was appropriate for this one).

I really enjoyed.

idk???

Great for going beddy bye

excellent solo piano improv

The fact this was all improv is wild. Incredible

Its been years since I last listened to this album. I found this in my Windom Hill Sampler days of college. Today, 35 years later, it sound even better. In truth, I have a deep fantasy-desire that I could have played music such as this. But alas, I am meant to listen and appreciate what I can.

If I was rating this just based on my enjoyment of the music it would be 1 out of 5. However there is no denying that Keith Jarrett is extremely talented so I’ll give it a 3. The music itself is as if someone was trying to come up with a soundtrack to a Peanuts remake but they couldn’t afford the licensing for the original music. Perhaps the worst thing to happen in Germany since WW2.

Dale Jarrett > Keith Jarrett

More tough going. I just couldn't ever into this. Endless piano noodlings that were not particularly interesting. Sorry, not my bag.

good

I don't dig solo piano that much.

Wonderfully technically impressive with moments of true genius, but it's a long time to listen to a solo piano.

Really enjoyed being introduced to this as something to accompany my work day. I'm not sure I would just listen to this, but as a backdrop and an aid to concentration, it was perfect

Master work of jazz piano. While I prefer more structured pieces, I frequently found myself lost in these.

Good background music, obviously impressive, but just piano music to me.

Loved this! Great live performance that I will have to put into my regular rotation.

This album truly blew me away. Never did I think I would be able to experience such a response from music as simple as this. The closest album I can think of is Music for 18 Musicians, but even that has more going on than this. Played entirely by one man with back problems on one baby grand piano in poor condition. And yet, against all odds, he succeeded. The first song is 26 minutes long. After about 8 minutes, I had to pause it to step away and eat food. When I came back, I restarted the song. I restarted the 26 minute long song of solely one man with back problems playing one baby grand piano in poor condition. It was so astoundingly beautiful, I simply couldn’t just pick up where I left off. It is actually incredible how much emotion Keith manages to convey with so little. Other bands would struggle to bring something like this out of me with an album that has 10 times the number of instruments. Keith’s three performances here are nothing short of genius. You would be hard pressed to find another solo piano recording stronger and more powerful than this. Part II C is just a short encore, but Part II A and II B are one song, reaching nearly thirty minutes in length. And in Part II B, all that Keith changes other than the way he’s playing is the key. He simply goes from a major to a minor key. In the grand scheme of things, it’s only a few different notes he’s playing. But it completely alters the tone and power of the music. It’s much more somber, and feels more articulate and complex than in Part II A. For anybody that has a deeper understanding of music theory, what I’m saying right now probably sounds so stupid. But to the average person like me, its all the difference. It’s rare I have this much to say about an album, mostly because I’m not good at putting my feelings and thoughts into writing, but I had to really try for this record. Anyone that had the privilege of being present during this performance is beyond lucky. This is simply 67 minutes of a master at work, and I am floored at it’s magnificence. Rating: 9/10

Quite bad 2

cool piano

great performance, sometimes the voice sfx threw me off but still a strong 4

It was very relaxing. I loved the ambient atmosphere of it and the very vivid stories the piano tells. It never really got boring either with the continuous piano playing which is hard to do. Very enjoyable.

This one came as a wonderful surprise. I expected to listen as background music but found myself constantly stopping to give the album my full attention. An amazing Jazz piano album.

sing us a song ur the piano man

this is amazing and already a 5 star. i haven’t got much to say other than i really love this and think it’s so so special. the piano is insanely good, makes me block out all kinds of things which is really the thing that i look for in music; does it transport me, does it move me, does it calm everything in me to just a quiet roar rather than a loud crashing jumble. and the answer is, yes, this is such lovely and enjoyable music, im just sad i didn’t know it before.

This was a delight. First album in this challenge that was a new discovery I intend to revisit.

Laukeileeko tuo pianisti vai joku yleisöstä tuolla taustalla? Aika häiritsevän kuuloista. Ihan miellyttävää taustamusiikkia. Kokonaan improvisoitu setti.

A great listen, felt like it started out kinda piano in a mall department store vibe but really picked up. I’m sure seeing the performance live was unbelievable. That being said, this not in person and just listening to a great piano player on my phone isn’t really my cup of tea

This was unfortunately just not my vibe this weekend and I couldn’t really get into it. -B

Clearly very beautiful to me is sounds like Pokémon Diamond and Pearl OST tho. Which one would I rather listen to? Idk did this concert have a giratina?

Nice jazz album, felt weird listening to it this weekend. I was running around and super busy and this album didn’t really match the vibe. That being said, this album was a nice break and I wouldn’t mind listening to it again.

I play instrumental solo piano music from time to time when I work, so as I was listening to this while working today, it just seemed kind of the same thing. I had to listen to this a second time to really get it out of the background and notice how good it is. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

I was kind of surprised at how much I enjoyed this. They didn’t downplay the applause on the recording, did they???

Now this was just right. Homey, comforting, and festive. A treat.

I loved this! Such a great change of pace! I loved the music, and the live performance where I could hear Keith Jarrett reacting while playing was great! I am very happy this is on the list. Really terrific!

It's nice but doesn't keep my attention.

Quite relaxing

Nice relaxing

Не большой фанат концертных альбомов, но это было прямо хорошо

Cool for what it was

In the right mood and the right setting this is excellent, but it's very specific and I can't say it deserves higher than a 3 because of that.

The story surrounding this album is great, that's why it's on here I guess, but the actual music itself doesn't do much for me. Apparently it's all improvised, which is quite impressive, the way it still flows and channels different moods and paces, but it's still an hour of just the piano, which isn't quite enough for me really. I'll be generous and give it a low 3 becuase of the story behind it and that it's a seriously impressive performance, but I didn't particularly enjoy listening to it. 3/5.

Part I- 1/5 Part II a- 1.2/5 Part II b- 0.9/5 Part II c- 1.3/5 Total- 1.1/5

Nice chilled piano. Nothing extraordinary but relaxing background music. 5/10

Piano on a Monday was a choice lol. Great piano though!

Piano shit, not my thing

Long

The infamous concert. Good. 3.9

Yep that sure was a piano concert with occasional moaning in it for some reason.

I'll start by saying, I'd never heard of Keith Jarrett. I listen to some classical music, some pianist's here and there but not really often.. and this album blew me away. I was absolutely moved, taken away by this album. The places this album took me in my mind.. I loved this album. Keith moves a single, granted 20 minute long, track through sooo many different moods and themes its just.. incredible. he truly is a master musician. Overall: 4.7/5

This is one of those albums that on the surface is incredible but if you look into the story behind the album it becomes legendary. Keith played this amazing two piece performance on a baby grand piano due to a mistake made by the promoter and if you don't know the difference a baby grand piano are literally made for houses and have a much inferior sound to Keith's preferred concert grand piano and is like half the size. That is an astonishing accomplishment but it is dwarfed by the fact that this entire album all 67 minutes was completely improvised while having a completely uncomfortable setup. Baby pianos have a lot weaker sound than concert grand pianos but that is especially the case when it comes to the lower register of the piano and Jarett still manages with techniques like ostinatos to strengthen the sound of the bass notes. In all honesty I cannot do a track by track review like I would usually do because there was no intent behind these songs. This album is more an experience of a musician who is truly a savant and has a complete mastery of his instrument more than just about anyone else. It is like hearing Charlie Parker or Sonny Rollins on sax or listening to Hendrix or Tosin Abasi on guitar. It is truly one of the most astonishing musical performances I have ever heard and is among the 2-3 best live albums I have ever heard. He just whips out these long, improvised motifs that are just as good as you will hear in any of the most well reviewed jazz albums of all time. I would suggest anyone who likes this album just look up any video of him improvising. More than any other musician I have seen the music seems to flow out of him in an absurdly natural way. It is one of the most astonishing things I have seen. One of my favorite aspects of this album is how he made the two songs so contrasting with the first being a long, light piece that makes me imagine it being played in a tour of heaven. It is so beautifully played and has these repeating parts that are really addictive to hear. Whereas the second piece is a much punchier track that is just incredibly movement inducing. I really can't think of a simile for what I could imagine this track being used for and I tried for like 15 minutes. It is a completely unique experience and it is incredibly well done with those large periods of intensity juxtaposed with slowed, more emotional parts. I may like other jazz pianists music more like Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk or Bill Evans but when we talk in terms of talent and skill I think that Jarrett is comfortably in the top 2-3 conversation. He plays like it is nothing more than breathing to him and it almost comes of as spiritual in the way he plays. In conclusion, this is easily one of the best jazz albums of all time and is one of the best live albums of all time. It sort of makes sense I like this cause I am a big fan of free jazz but nevertheless listen to this album it is great.

Nichts für mich

Perfect background music i guess lol

I began listening to this on my AirPods, but after a minute or so I knew that the fidelity and emotion of this required my nicer cans. Boy was I glad with that decision- This album was simply a masterpiece of raw emotion channeled into a piano with expertise and passion. I could listen to a man pour his heart out with this type of skill all day. The songs appear to have no real gap between them so the 4 part breakage only appears to be a way for this guy to rest before again blowing everyone away. The songs go from peaceful and melodic to laying down some jazzy funk and everything in between. Truly beautiful.

Not my cup of tea but it was good!

Piano music for the soul that gave off a kind of a lofi vibe. Probably won't recognize a note of it if I ever hear it again, but not because it wasn't good. I just can't pick our instrumentals unless I've heard them a thousand times.

Not bad, but nothing incredible.

An hour-long solo record feels so self-indulgent that it was hard to enjoy. It gets one star for teaching me that the interplay between musicians is something I need in my music. (Headphones users beware, Jarrett's foot stomps add nothing but annoying low frequency thumps when his piano mic picks up the vibrations)

I think it’s incredible the level of talent involved to improvise in this way and in those circumstance and I’m glad for the piece of history I learned. But I don’t think I’ll miss this album either.

Nice but long and not too interesting to listen to, to be honest.

Nice piano tracks for an improv show, the fourth one was very nice, the rest kind of nice background piano eith mildly intresting melodies

If I’m going to listen to a piano album, I’d prefer Yanni over an album like this with 17 minute songs where the pianist is moaning and “woooing” in the background. Didn’t finish after the first song.

Masterpiece

Nice calming classic piano piece

Amazing what he did. Proof that talent wins over technology.

Really enjoying it. Piano solo jazz.

Maybe I just don't have the ear for it, but it seems completely unremarkable. The random moans from listeners on the live recording were also very jarring.

Bleeding me away that this was all improvised.

Just piano so not much to take in other than it is very relaxing in the initial minutes. Essentially an hour long piano piece performed live. The random grunts and other noises are kind of hilarious on such a serious piece. Can't say I know enough about piano to say how impresive or not this is. Probably good to put on for a quiet party or something.

Great performance, but it’s not something I would ever really listen to again. Nice piano skills though.

instrumental piano parte 2a y final de la parte 1 brutales muy bueno

This was a pleasant surprise. This isn't my typical style of music to throw on but I was very interested in what I was hearing throuout the whole album. When listening to this, it reminded me of Adam Holzman. I consider both, him and Keith Jarrett to be piano virtuosos. To which, I am familiar with the former from being the active keyboard/pianist for Steven Wilson. I loved the live aspect of this record. You can hear subtle voices through out and it added a bit of charm, and humanity to what I was could only describe as inhuman talent tickling those ivory keys. This would be perfect to see live as I can't fully comprehend what I am listening to. If I could see what I hear, I would have even a higher appreciation to what I am hearing. Any type of record similar to this, I would day the same. Great listen.

In a nutshell: screw it, I'm just gonna play. If you haven't heard of this album, go to the Wikipedia page first. I can't believe that the promoter and Keith still went ahead with the show. What could go wrong leading up to the gig DID go wrong. Yet Keith pushed through and pulled off a remarkable performance. Pretty impressive on a half sized piano. Overall: 7/10

Undoubtedly talented, and with a very appreciative audience it seems to be a masterclass in improvisation. Several pieces are really good but overall I just don't 'get' jazz improvisation. Maybe I need to listen more

en tiiä miksei herrasta kuullut aikasemmin. pianonkikkailija läpikotaisin. suosituin soolo pianonpäpyttely albumi mitä koskaan tehty... huomaa että täydet poppimessut päällä kun joka saatanan sävelen jälkeen ollaan taputtamassa käsiä yhteen kun oltaisiin vittu päiväkodissa... ja jonkun täytyy huudella siellä taustalla kävellessä luulin että joku top 5 toimintakeskus asukas huutelee takaa... vai huuteleeko virtuoosi itse, en tiedä mutta autismd.com mukaan ei ole mikään telkkari ohjelma house pianisti jakso kyseessä... look it up... part 1

It was fine. I forgot it was playing after a while. No strong feelings.

A pretty solo piano concert. Nice dynamics between soft and quiet vs loud and playful. Was pleasant music to grade papers to.

Improvised solo jazz piano. Lord have patience, I couldn't finish this one.

Faisal probably came while listening to this

Wow! Went in with no expectations, enjoyed every minute of it. Just super chill jazz piano.

Boring, prefer classical piano piece.

Shoutout to the man having audible eargasms in the front row

At first I was really impressed with the melody. Very nice piano background music.

This is not music at all but it was ok in the background

Improv jazz, super impressive but not riveting for me

I'm ready to give up

Simply beautifully amazingly played. What a musical genius! Downloaded the album. 5/5

Mmm...not something I would have chosen to listen to. However, he is clearly an accomplished pianist and I detect an element of progressiveness in his compositions.

piano

5 minutes into Part I and I thought I wasn’t going to finish the album. I did not like it. 12 minutes into Part 1 I was looking up the history and reading all about it. This album was a very pleasant surprise for me. I dig Jazz a little bit straight up piano only Jazz isn’t my favorite. This extended jam has really changed what I thought piano jazz can be. I’m very happy with this one.

Good as background music but kinda boring if you’re listening to it alone.

Very relaxing. Surprise of a listen

Amazing piano performance. The vocalizations remind of GameCube video games and take me out of it. Sorry Jarrett.

2/4 First song was partially incredible, Second song was boring

Fantastic record that I wish I had discovered sooner. Keith Jarrett creates an atmospheric sound with just keys, and adds in little yelps when getting excited about the sounds and the feels. Part II B was my favorite. Found a groove that is unmatched by many pianists out today. Would love to own this on vinyl.

Great piano playing, not quite engaging enough for me

Relaxing. Interesting story on the recording.

Good, if you like free-form jazz? A bit too unstructured for my taste.

Beautiful, sounds incredible for a live performance recording even if it is just instrumental. Thought that was a young Lionel Richie on the album art for a second

Really enjoyed Pt. II C and Pt. I, easy to see why it's a bestseller!

It's scored more about the lore behind the album than the actual album it's self. A series of unfortunate events befell this show and the fact Jarrett was able to perform is a massive miracle. Long solo instrumentals aren't my thing, but you can throw this on as background music and be pleased with yourself

Not for me

I was on a musical journey. Gooood stuff that I didn't know before. Yeah.

my ranking system is very random but I do feel like I lend a lot to my feelings on the impressiveness of a recording. and from all I’ve read & heard of this album, it feels genius. who am i to deny that impulse.