Keith Jarrett’s piano has joined forces with Charlie Haden’s bass in a multitude of settings over the decades, going back even to Jarrett’s early trio days, and then doing their 2010 duet session in Jasmine. Here, from a session recorded in 2007, the two compatriots got together for a glowingly lyrical collection of warm burning coals in the fireplace of ballads.
The duo can get a bit bouncy as they frolic in Bud’s Powell’s “Dance of the Infidels” while Jarrett gets almost Guaraldi-esque in his buoyancy as he skips along on an intriguing take of “Round Midnight.” Most of the other time, its soft slipper time, as the boys slip into a lovingly laconic “My Old Flame” and a romantically coy “Everything Happens To Me.” Haden gets deep and thick as he comes to the front on “Where Can I Go Without You” and ruminates over “It Might As Well Be Spring.” Jarrett is impressively subdued and judicious here, as he is thoughtful on every note-not a glib touch on the session. A keeper!
ECM Records