STATE OF THE ART…Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Paul Motian: The Old Country

They sure weren’t under-recorded, but nevertheless the classic trio of pianist Keith Jarrett, bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Paul Motian (replacing Jack DeJohnette for this 1992 gig in Delaware’s Dear Head Inn jazz club) always deserves to have whatever performances they’ve done brought out for posterity, as this is the way a piano trio is supposed to sound.

Jarrett is obviously in charge here, opening almost each track on his own to state the theme, pace and direction of the tune. Thus, there is a  joyful and bouncy “Everything I Love”, a dark and introverted “I Fall In Love Too Easily” and a hip bopper of “Straight, NO Chaser”, of which Peacock gets some time to stretch out on. The bassist takes the lead on a dainty “Someday My Prince Will Come” and Motian’s brushes assuage a classy “Golden Earrings” while digging into “All Of You”. Jarrett closes with an aria of “How Long Has This Been Going On”. This album makes you realize how finite we all are, as when they were together, you tried to see them tour whenever possible, because you knew back then, just like when watching Tiger Woods, that  it just couldn’t last forever. Still, memories do inspire.

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