- Audio CD (25 Oct 2011)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Universal Japan
- ASIN: B005F7F46I
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,335,372 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Review
Since he recorded the Köln Concert in 1975, Keith Jarrett’s solo recitals have come a long way. Back then, a single piece often lasted over 25 minutes, and the audience had to follow every twist and turn of Jarrett’s spur-of-the-moment improvising without coming up for air. Yet this long form neatly contained the full scope of Jarrett’s playing, from atonality to country-ish or gospel-tinged melodies, and from a gentle rhythmic lilt to hard-edged swing.
More recently, from the time of Radiance, recorded in Japan in 2002, Jarrett has separated the ingredients into bite-sized chunks. With an audience as ecstatic as the one at the Teatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro, where his new album was cut in April 2011, this works to the advantage of both. Jarrett builds a rapport with his public, and they can more easily adapt to the changes of mood and genre as his ideas develop.
From a brittle opening that nods in the direction of such classical composers as George Antheil and Krzysztof Penderecki, Jarrett gradually works into his stride. The fourth fragment is a delightful lyrical ballad that keeps suggesting you’ve heard it somewhere before (except that you haven’t) and this leads directly into a propulsive, jazzy fifth section that is the climax of the first set.
The second set (and second CD of the boxed pair) is vintage Jarrett, developing ideas that go right back to his first trio recordings, and which defined him as a pianist. There’s the lilting Latin 6/8 of part eight, contrasting with the shimmering treble ornament of the following section. A brisk foray into atonal expressionism is followed by romping swing, leading to another tender ballad movement.
The final three sections have the perfect balance between compositional form and spontaneity, with the penultimate bluesy movement the standout. Maybe there were his usual strictures against coughers and photographers, but if they happened, they didn’t get in the way of Jarrett’s rapport with his audience. Overlooking an above average content of the pianist’s characteristic wheezes and groans, you get the sense that — like someone in the crowd at his last London solo concert — they’re all prepared to shout, "We love you, Keith!"
--Alyn Shipton
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Product Description
CD ALBUM
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
**** and 1/2
"Rio", the double-disc solo concert recording by Keith Jarrett, marks his 40th anniversary as an ECM recording artist; coincidentally, "Facing You", his debut for the label, was a solo piano recording, though cut in a studio.
Many of Jarrett's improvised solo concerts have represented benchmarks in his career: "The Köln Concert", "The Sun Bear Solo Concerts", and "La Scala" among them.
His musical and philosophical approach toward recording this way has evolved and been refined over the decades, but nowhere more so than on "Rio", a complete document of his show at the Theatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro in April of 2011. The date is a hint that something very different is afoot here: Jarrett's live offerings are usually issued years after an event instead of mere months afterwards (the pianist called label boss Manfred Eicher from the airport after the show. After one listen, it becomes obvious "Rio" is indeed very special.
It puts on aural display Jarrett as a virtually boundless musician, whose on-the-spot, wide-ranging ideas are executed with astonishing immediacy and dexterity; this music is passionate, poetic (often songlike), and stands outside the confines of genre.
The strength of his pianism and diversity in his thought and philosophy between music and everyday life dissolve into the freest improvisation he has ever displayed on record.
In these 15 untitled selections, Jarrett allows everything from his sense impressions about the city, the country, cultural and social history, the evening, and the audience to simply have their way with him spontaneously.
The effect is intimate, energetic, emotionally engaged, and wildly expressive and imaginative.
What begins in the knotty dissonance and counterpoint of the first selection gives way to the elliptical on the second to something approaching song for the remainder of disc one's six selections.
By the beginning of disc two, the listener is transfixed as jazz improvisation melds seamlessly into nearly classical investigations of detail, harmony, and nuance; simultaneously, folk traditions, blues and ballad forms, and rhythmic invention are all encased in a pervasive lyricism that possesses pianist and audience alike.
Even music that sounds "familiar" is based on preconceived notions by the listener, since nothing approaching what is here actually exists in Jarrett's recorded catalog.
"Rio" is therefore the new standard by which the pianist's future solo recordings will be judged, and perhaps also sets the bar for any other player who attempts the same. T. Jurek
Facing You
The Koln Concert
Sun Bear Concerts
La Scala
"Rio", the double-disc solo concert recording by Keith Jarrett, marks his 40th anniversary as an ECM recording artist; coincidentally, "Facing You", his debut for the label, was a solo piano recording, though cut in a studio.
Many of Jarrett's improvised solo concerts have represented benchmarks in his career: "The Köln Concert", "The Sun Bear Solo Concerts", and "La Scala" among them.
His musical and philosophical approach toward recording this way has evolved and been refined over the decades, but nowhere more so than on "Rio", a complete document of his show at the Theatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro in April of 2011. The date is a hint that something very different is afoot here: Jarrett's live offerings are usually issued years after an event instead of mere months afterwards (the pianist called label boss Manfred Eicher from the airport after the show. After one listen, it becomes obvious "Rio" is indeed very special.
It puts on aural display Jarrett as a virtually boundless musician, whose on-the-spot, wide-ranging ideas are executed with astonishing immediacy and dexterity; this music is passionate, poetic (often songlike), and stands outside the confines of genre.
The strength of his pianism and diversity in his thought and philosophy between music and everyday life dissolve into the freest improvisation he has ever displayed on record.
In these 15 untitled selections, Jarrett allows everything from his sense impressions about the city, the country, cultural and social history, the evening, and the audience to simply have their way with him spontaneously.
The effect is intimate, energetic, emotionally engaged, and wildly expressive and imaginative.
What begins in the knotty dissonance and counterpoint of the first selection gives way to the elliptical on the second to something approaching song for the remainder of disc one's six selections.
By the beginning of disc two, the listener is transfixed as jazz improvisation melds seamlessly into nearly classical investigations of detail, harmony, and nuance; simultaneously, folk traditions, blues and ballad forms, and rhythmic invention are all encased in a pervasive lyricism that possesses pianist and audience alike.
Even music that sounds "familiar" is based on preconceived notions by the listener, since nothing approaching what is here actually exists in Jarrett's recorded catalog.
"Rio" is therefore the new standard by which the pianist's future solo recordings will be judged, and perhaps also sets the bar for any other player who attempts the same. T. Jurek
Facing You
The Koln Concert
Sun Bear Concerts
La Scala
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
OK, so I'm coming to review this one a little late, but I thought it might just be worth it.
This 1.5 hr concert kicks off with the most "difficult" piece of the 15 sections, being a little abstract and for me Jarrett appears to "loose his way" at times. I was not overly keen and it reminded me of his trio's work on Inside Out. However, once past this rather strange opening, which I am sure surprised the audience, then a wonderful varied concert develops. I use the word "develop" on purpose as that is what happens in my opinion, or perhaps one could say gaining momentum as a creative experience.
In stark contrast to section 1, 2 opens with almost an ethereal feel - gentle relaxing classic Jarrett which is followed by a very rhythmic movement, before returning to a gentle piece with almost a 1930s mood to it. Section 5 returns to (almost) dramatic rhythms with another up tempo one to complete CD1.
The second CD opens with a most beautiful emotive piece. I don't know why one reviewer made a criticism regarding "blues" as there is only one to be found in section 11, and as blues was the foundation of jazz, I see no harm in one being included here. There are again some beautiful sections to be found at 12 & 13 and by this stage of the concert the applause is coming on strong as well!
Whilst I have always enjoyed Jarrett's lengthy improvisation which he undertook for so many years, as I said in my review of Paris / London - Testament, he no longer has the mental or physical stamina for such marathons. However, as long as he can continue to produce concerts, and therefore albums of this quality, I am not going to complain as for me no other pianist in the jazz field can hold a candle to him - even his material which does not reach his best surpasses everyone else in my opinion. So, why only 4 stars - due to the opening track and he has produced better, but this is still an amazing album!
Packaging is a slim plastic jewel case with a cardboard sleeve (why??!!) - no information is provided apart from a recent photograph, typical of the man's releases.
This 1.5 hr concert kicks off with the most "difficult" piece of the 15 sections, being a little abstract and for me Jarrett appears to "loose his way" at times. I was not overly keen and it reminded me of his trio's work on Inside Out. However, once past this rather strange opening, which I am sure surprised the audience, then a wonderful varied concert develops. I use the word "develop" on purpose as that is what happens in my opinion, or perhaps one could say gaining momentum as a creative experience.
In stark contrast to section 1, 2 opens with almost an ethereal feel - gentle relaxing classic Jarrett which is followed by a very rhythmic movement, before returning to a gentle piece with almost a 1930s mood to it. Section 5 returns to (almost) dramatic rhythms with another up tempo one to complete CD1.
The second CD opens with a most beautiful emotive piece. I don't know why one reviewer made a criticism regarding "blues" as there is only one to be found in section 11, and as blues was the foundation of jazz, I see no harm in one being included here. There are again some beautiful sections to be found at 12 & 13 and by this stage of the concert the applause is coming on strong as well!
Whilst I have always enjoyed Jarrett's lengthy improvisation which he undertook for so many years, as I said in my review of Paris / London - Testament, he no longer has the mental or physical stamina for such marathons. However, as long as he can continue to produce concerts, and therefore albums of this quality, I am not going to complain as for me no other pianist in the jazz field can hold a candle to him - even his material which does not reach his best surpasses everyone else in my opinion. So, why only 4 stars - due to the opening track and he has produced better, but this is still an amazing album!
Packaging is a slim plastic jewel case with a cardboard sleeve (why??!!) - no information is provided apart from a recent photograph, typical of the man's releases.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I agree with all the rave reviews on the quality of the music. But oh my, WHY must we suffer the VERY LOUD and unwanted audience applause? Jarrett's music is cool & contemplative, so it is particularly jarring to have every piece PUNCTUATED by the CLAPPING and CHEERING, and I can't believe the volume that has been mixed at. I don't object to audience reaction. I do object to the it being made such a feature of the recording.
If I had known about this in advance, I would not have bought the discs.
If I had known about this in advance, I would not have bought the discs.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
If you like him buy it.
After a cacophonous first track, the rest follows in the style we have come to expect. I liked it a lot.
Published 3 months ago by R. S. Mathews
Excellent
Bought this for my husband and he was delighted with it. It was a mix of the more "avant-garde" which is Jarrett's trademark, and the more "accessable", as I would put it!!
Published 4 months ago by walker wife
Surpassing his own grace and talent !
Outstanding piece of art ! Lyrical manoeuvers along with rythmical, yet passionate, musical pieces. Put it next to the "Koln concert", the "La Scala" and the "Paris-London" works. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Constantine Kyriazis
Rio - is OK, not amazing.
On one listening, I find RIO a little disappointing and I'm a BIG fan of Keith Jarrett. I put it into my iTunes Library and the first thing I did was edit off all the final... Read more
Published 5 months ago by JOHN C. WESLEY-BARKER
Jazz improvisation at its very best
Keith Jarrett has been making albums since the mid-sixties and is perhaps best known for his improvisational solo concerts in Köln, Bremen, Lausanne, Vienna and other cities. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Reader
disappointed
I like most of Keith Jarretts work But this one is like Marmite "you love it or hate it" listen before you buy !
Published 5 months ago by phil
Jarrett hits a high note
Keith Jarrett hits top form in this recording of a concert given recently in Rio de Janeiro. His piano playing is both
stirring and moving and leaves one clamouring for more.
stirring and moving and leaves one clamouring for more.
Published 5 months ago by MIKE
The Art of The Rio Concert
Forget Jarrett's associations with Miles Davis, Jan Garbarek and his trio with Jack de Johnette and Gary Peacock. Read more
Published 6 months ago by degrant
A feast for the ears and mind
This is not a record to listen to in the background whilst doing other things. It is not a record to be interrupted by phone calls or shouts that dinner's ready. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Venton
Patchy
Keith Jarrett's solo concert recordings have become increasingly difficult to review in recent years. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Sordel
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