Keith Jarrett – The Köln Concert (1975)

I bought this in response to its fame as a 'jazz classic', being the best selling solo jazz recording of all time, as well as the best selling piano recording.

It's famously a completely improvised piano solo concert by maestro Keith Jarrett, who had served his time with Art Blakey's Jazz messengers, and Miles Davis.

And it nearly didn't happen. An 18 year old promoter could only get the Opera House to agree to put on a 'jazz' concert with an 11.30 pm start, after the opera had finished, the wrong piano was provided, and it was in poor condition, and Jarrett himself was not in great health. Only the recording equipment already being set up and a sellout audience of 1400 people persuaded him to go ahead.

My musical vocabulary isn't really enough to describe the pieces. Part One, the longest piece (at 26 minutes) has a flowing 5 note theme which starts and ends the piece, after some almost abstract rambling, which nevertheless holds the attention.

Part two is divided into three sections. The first is an upbeat piece around a repeated theme, which does seem to outstay its welcome until at the halfway point, the music slows calms down and soothes, before rising again, in a classical style and playing to a gentle finish. The second begins with a bright, repeated theme, leading to a more mournful central section which builds to a grand crescendo. The third, shortest piece, feels more melodic to finish.

Link to full album

4* - while the improvised nature is the most impressive thing at times, it's still a most welcome listen