While still a member of
the Charles Lloyd Quartet,
Keith Jarrett did some occasional moonlighting with a trio, anchored by two future members of
Jarrett's classic quartet,
Charlie Haden (bass) and
Paul Motian (drums). On this CD,
Jarrett turns in a very eclectic set at Shelly's Manne-Hole in Hollywood, careening through a variety of idioms where his emerging individuality comes through in flashes. He covers
Bob Dylan's "My Back Pages" -- which actually came out as a single on the Vortex label -- in an attractive, semi-funky style reminiscent of
Vince Guaraldi. "Pretty Ballad" delivers a strong reflective dose of
Bill Evans, while "Moving Soon" is chaotic free jazz. By the time we reach "New Rag," we begin to hear the distinctive
Jarrett idiom of the later trios, but then, "Old Rag" is knockabout stride without the stride. As an example of early, unfocused
Jarrett, this is fascinating material.