This is a doubly curious two-piece suite that was originally released in 1977. First off, it's the work of a jazz artist being played by a classical pianist and conductor. Secondly, it harks back to a much earlier period in
Keith Jarrett's career -- one that few modern fans actually remember -- as a composer. What is not clear is if this work was one of
Jarrett's improvised pieces from the era that gave us the
Köln Concert,
Bremen and Lausanne, etc., and later notated, or if it was originally composed. Though
Jarrett's melodic signatures are firmly in place throughout,
Davies has little real feel for the forms that inspired the composer: namely, gospel, folk, standards, etc. That said, he does a serviceable -- if more formally disciplined -- job, interpreting the work and keeping the balance of drama, lyricism, dynamic, and a bit of the composer's lithe impressionistic harmonic touch pretty much intact. ~ Thom Jurek