Search - Keith Jarrett Trio - Live at Open Theater East on DVD

Best Jazz DVD I Own

Le Kang | Le Monde | 08/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really wish all jazz DVDs were like this. No gimmicks, no useless documentary, just amazing jazz from possibly the most acclaimed trio still playing today. The sound quality is impeccable, allowing you to really appreciate Jarrett's poignant lyricism. Out of all the live jazz I've seen, only Jarrett has moved me to tears with the pure beauty of his playing. This DVD is a great capture of a great live performance.Jarrett and his Trio are acclaimed for bringing standards back to the modern jazz limelight. The decades-old chemistry between Jarrett, Peacock, and DeJohnette is obvious from their remarkable interaction in this concert.Although I've never heard Jarrett play a bad set, this one exceeds my expectations. I've always been partial to the trio's "Bye Bye Blackbird", but other tracks like "Oleo" and "Solar" are among the true gems on this DVD.The performance is wonderfully warm and live, with shots lingering just long enough to let you take it all in without engaging in the hyperactive camera work plaguing some music DVDs today. It's entertaining to see Jarrett lose his time in the first solo chorus of "Oleo", as former Miles-sideman DeJohnette throws him off with all sorts of off-beat explorations. Many complain about Jarrett's signature groans and horribly out-of-tune whining, but any Jarrett fan quickly learns to naturally filter them out. If you really have a problem with that sort of thing, don't buy this DVD or you will be distracted and more than a little disgruntled. On the other hand, if you can bear it this DVD is one of the best jazz DVDs out there."

A Great Opportunity

John Kelman | Ottawa, Ontario Canada | 08/23/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Keith Jarrett Trio Live at Open Theater East is the next best thing to being there. The DVD release features an uncompressed PCM stereo soundtrack (in addition to the standard Dolby 5.1 surround) that is as crisp and clean as it gets. This is one of the best sounding DVD concert releases I have heard.The performance is stellar. Peacock, in particular, really shows how sympatico he is with Jarrett and DeJohnette, eliciting lots of smiles (and Jarrett's signature groans and hollers) from both.It's a very well put-together program, with the highlights being Solar, Oleo and Keith Jarrett's original, The Cure. Presented with no interruptions, it's pretty much like being there. The filming is simple, with good coverage of all trio members, without some of the quick cuts that I find irritating in some concert recordings. If you are a player, you'll get plenty of chances to watch the musician who interests you, without the others being sacrificed.Well worth the buy."

The Standards Trio live in Japan

Terry Saundry | Keysborough, Vic, Australia | 05/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Typically excellent concert by Jarrett / Peacock / De Johnette performed at an open theatre on a wet day in July 1993. Numbers played: "In Your Own Sweet Way", "Butch And Butch", "Basin Street Blues", "If I Were A Bell", "Oleo", "Bye Bye Blackbird", "The Cure", "I Thought About You" and a 26 minute "Solar - Extension" in which I finally get to see how the ever-inventive De Johnette makes some of his unique sounds. Deceptively easily, that's how!. Amusing to see the audience sitting motionless out in the gloom while these guys give it everything! We know, of course, that the Japanese love the music and revere the musicians (and they do respond when appropriate, by the way!) but it does look funny. Two hours of this wonderful trio in concert. It's a buy!"

Astounding

N. Janni | 03/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Watching these three artisits is a rare treat. They play with a level of musicianship, presence, surrender and selflessness that is extremely rare. In some pieces one wathches them becoming possessed in every cell of their being by the music, much of it clearly improvised. Watching this affects one deeply. Thank you!"