Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette - Setting Standards

Setting Standards brings together three classic recordings; Standards Vol. 1, Standards Vol. 2 and Changes. Music brought to life in a sustained burst of creativity in 1983 at New York's Power Station. Presented now for the first time in a specially priced 3-CD box set. Having wrapped up two volumes of standards, the trio then moved on to improvisational areas resulting in the album, Changes. Three top flight albums recorded in one day! Not only that, the musicians had mapped out the area - from the Great American Songbook to free play - that they would continue to explore for the next quarter-century, making them perhaps the most widely-admired jazz group in the world today. This re-release celebrates 25 years of the "Standards Trio" It includes historical session photos by Deborah Feingold and updated liner notes by Peter Rüedi. Album Description

Too much "singing"

This is an excellent recording of a great classic jazz trio. However the engineer could have mastered to make Jarrett's "singing" a bit less prominent. Check out good recordings of Erroll Garner or Glenn Gould. I rest my case.....
April 25, 2008

A Classic Package

Since the very first time I listened Keith Jarrett's Trio, with the amazing 'The Cure' I haven't been able to stop. This package contains 3 of their fundamental albums and to have them is a must.
Who may refuse to be touched for the delicate and deep melody of 'Meaning of the Blues'?. Try, at least once. March 9, 2008

Come on!

The claim from the first reviewer of this product that this release is all about money is frankly ridiculous. Anyone who already has the original CDs or even LPs--and I imagine that the sales were fairly low compared to more recent releases--can hang onto them, and all the fans who haven't heard the astonishing beginning of this sublime trio should absolutely get their hands on this newly packaged edition. March 7, 2008

Setting Standards is great, but this, folks, is more about greed....

I've given this one a 'five star' rating, but I have problem with the whole idea, which is why I'm writing this. Don't get me wrong. I love Keith Jarrett's work that he has done with this trio. There is no better threesome working in the area of jazz improvisation-PERIOD. That being said, Mr. Jarrett can be a tough sell. There's the 'vocalise' that goes on with the piano playing. I've gotten to the point, though, where I'm used to it. Then the crankiness: the absurd 'argument' about whether people like Wynton Marsalis are 'real' musicians. All I can say to that is, in paraphrase of the late Frank Zappa, definitely a 'real' musician: "Shut up 'n play 'yer music"......
So, the guy has an ego. I ask, wouldn't I if I had this ability? I guess I just have to weigh in on this latest 'offering' which, reduced price or no is hucksterism. These three recordings are great, and I guess, if you don't have them and want a good idea of where it all began-run don't walk...., but if you do? Well, $33.99 (price at a local Borders) seems a bit much for a revamped cover. I guess when you come right down to it, my feeling is this: these three are still out there and available. What is probably on tapes or whatever Mr. Eicher stores performance recordings on is probably enough music from Mr. Jarrett either alone or with his cohorts here to play on a trip around the world. So, come on, Keith, let some of it out. Surely there is something new in your stored repertoire that is up to the high 'Standards' you've already set. For someone who is so critical of the general trashiness of the recording industry nowadays, it seems you've stepped right into the 'grab all you can and run" with this one. Meanwhile, I will save my money by not taking the dollar dive on this one and wait for the next truly "new" release from this great group of musicians.
January 23, 2008

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