Someday, people who saw Keith Jarrett perform will boast about it to their grandchildren, as this once in a lifetime pianist is simply that wonderful. The argument is whether he will best be remembered for his classic trio with Peacock and DeJohnette or for his solo improvisations. Flip the coin…
Here at a July 6, 2016 performance at Auditorium de l’Opera National de Bordeaux (and his last gig there), Jarrett gives a tour de force collection of eleven (or “XI”) improvisations, most lasting between 4-7ish minutes, but one 12+ minute “Part I” that is a rich, classical sounding and dark journey. The impressive part of each other piece is how variant they are from one another, as “II” scrambles like a film noir chase scene, “III” gives hint of gentle Satie, “IV” and “XII” are Chopinesque in their melodic sonata forms, and his left had bops like Bud Powell on “V”. He even delves into a country and western cadence on the bluesy “VIII” while showing a more cheerful side on the spry “X”.
So, if Jarrett were on stage and asked for requests, what would you say? “Play ‘Willow Weep For Me’, or ‘Play whatever you want’”. Judging by albums like this the latter may win out.