Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note
Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note: The Complete Recordings is a 6-CD live box set by American jazz pianist Keith Jarrett, compiling the six sets Jarrett's trio performed at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City over three nights in June 1994 and released by ECM in October the following year. The trio—Jarrett's "Standards Trio"—features rhythm section Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette.
Reception
The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the set 5 stars, stating: "Never mind that this same group has already had ten separate releases since 1983; this box is still well worth getting.... Throughout the three nights at the Blue Note, the interplay among the musicians is consistently outstanding. Those listeners concerned about Jarrett's tendency to 'sing along' with his piano have little to fear for, other than occasional shouts and sighs, he wisely lets his piano do the talking."Journalist Jon Pareles of The [New York Times] attended a set on June 3 recalling the "three-night engagement was Mr. Jarrett's first New York club date in 11 years, and for it he turned the club into a miniature concert hall; smoking was prohibited, and no food or drinks were served during the set". He compared Jarrett's approach with the one followed by Bill Evans and continued he "is a master of playing gently, and he refuses to push. Often, he would let a line grow softer as it climbed, creating quiet peaks. The music whispered and glimmered, seeking a pure, incorporeal song."
Stereophile's Wes Phillips called the sound "Amazing.... A piano trio recorded this well makes an impressive demonstration disc. DeJohnette is placed near the right speaker, Jarrett near the left, and Peacock stands well back in the middle—hey! where'd he come from? The instruments are prominently featured, but there's enough room acoustic to convince you this really took place somewhere. Somewhere intimate—not merely small, but close and personal."
In 1996, the box-set was awarded with "Album of the Year" in the DownBeat Critic's Poll.
Track listing
Disc one: Friday, June 3, 1994- "In Your Own Sweet Way" - 17:59
- "How Long Has This Been Going On?" - 9:09
- "While We're Young" - 11:01
- "Partners" - 8:28
- "No Lonely Nights" - 7:16
- "Now's the Time" - 8:30
- "Lament" - 7:09
- "I'm Old Fashioned" - 10:36
- "Everything Happens to Me" - 11:49
- "If I Were a Bell - 11:26
- "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" - 8:45
- "Oleo" - 8:03
- "Alone Together" - 11:20
- "Skylark" - 6:36
- "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" - 7:53
- "Autumn Leaves" - 26:43
- "Days of [Wine and Roses |Days of Wine and Roses]" - 11:30
- "Bop-Be" - 6:18
- "You Don't Know What Love Is/Muezzin" - 20:31
- "When I Fall in Love" - 5:42
- "How Deep Is the Ocean?" - 11:25
- "Close Your Eyes" - 9:27
- "Imagination" - 8:44
- "I'll [Close My Eyes |I'll Close My Eyes]" - 10:11
- "I [Fall in Love Too Easily]/The Fire Within" - 27:08
- "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" - 8:58
- "On [Green Dolphin Street |On Green Dolphin Street]/Joy Ride" - 21:07
- "My Romance" - 9:40
- "Don't Ever Leave Me" - 5:08
- "You'd Be [So Nice to Come Home To]" - 6:58
- "La Valse Bleue" - 7:03
- "No Lonely Nights" - 6:21
- "Straight, [No Chaser |Straight, No Chaser]" - 6:13
- "Time After Time" - 12:36
- "For Heaven's Sake" - 11:02
- "Partners" - 8:56
- "Desert Sun" - 28:32
- "How About You?" - 7:11
Personnel
Keith Jarrett Trio
- Keith Jarrett – piano
- Gary Peacock – double bass
- Jack DeJohnette – drums
Technical personnel
- Manfred Eicher – producer
- Jan Erik Kongshaug – recording engineer
- Barbara Wojirsch – cover design