Keith Jarrett - Last Solo

Starring:Keith Jarrett
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
While there's no shortage of audio recordings of pianist Keith Jarrett's improvised solo performances--works that make up arguably his most creatively fertile period--visual records are few, which makes this 92-minute DVD, recorded in 1984 in Tokyo, of particular interest. But it's something of a mixed blessing; while Jarrett's playing is always good, and often much more than that, actually watching him do it is another matter. His pained facial contortions, moaning along with the music, and other antics are on full display here, shot in both close-ups and long shots and seen from every conceivable angle, and they are a distraction. If you can get past them and concentrate on the music, which includes two lengthy improvisations, a lovely rendition of "Over the Rainbow," and a brief encore that may be the most compelling piece of music here, Last Solo will prove a most worthy document of a master musician in peak form. --Sam Graham
Description
An original and influential stylist, pianist Keith Jarrett brings his unique live performance skills to this solo concert from 1984. With fresh, innovative interpretations of his "Tokyo '84" series, Jarrett breathtakingly shows why he is one of the most significant pianists of the last forty years. Tracks: Tokyo '84 #1, Tokyo '84 #2, Over the Rainbow, Tokyo '84 Encore.

Keith Jarrett - Last Solo
Average customer rating:

Trying Too Hard

A Study of Keith Jarrett from 1984

Check out the sound

failure to perceive

buy the cd instead

Keith Jarrett - Last Solo
Starring: Keith Jarrett
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Keith Jarrett - Tokyo Solo

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ASIN: B00006674J
Release Date: 2002-06-18

Amazon.com

While there's no shortage of audio recordings of pianist Keith Jarrett's improvised solo performances--works that make up arguably his most creatively fertile period--visual records are few, which makes this 92-minute DVD, recorded in 1984 in Tokyo, of particular interest. But it's something of a mixed blessing; while Jarrett's playing is always good, and often much more than that, actually watching him do it is another matter. His pained facial contortions, moaning along with the music, and other antics are on full display here, shot in both close-ups and long shots and seen from every conceivable angle, and they are a distraction. If you can get past them and concentrate on the music, which includes two lengthy improvisations, a lovely rendition of "Over the Rainbow," and a brief encore that may be the most compelling piece of music here, Last Solo will prove a most worthy document of a master musician in peak form. --Sam Graham

Description

An original and influential stylist, pianist Keith Jarrett brings his unique live performance skills to this solo concert from 1984. With fresh, innovative interpretations of his "Tokyo '84" series, Jarrett breathtakingly shows why he is one of the most significant pianists of the last forty years. Tracks: Tokyo '84 #1, Tokyo '84 #2, Over the Rainbow, Tokyo '84 Encore.

Customer Reviews:

Trying Too Hard.......2007-02-16

I can't believe I am about to write a review of Keith Jarrett that is not a 5 star gushing review. I have been a Jarrett fan for close to 30 years, and I consider him one of the few true geniuses of modern music. Yes the camera work on his concerts always seems odd to me, with too many closeups of his hands, or his face. I want to see his whole body and hands in the same shot, which is rarely done. I know the "true fans" claim not to be bothered by the vocal gymnastics Keith launches into from time to time. I am almost never bothered by his occasional howls and shouts, and his foot tapping usually adds nicely to the music, but his too frequent whining that sounds like an amplified mosquito buzzing is absolutely distracting. It certainly adds nothing good to the music, and in fact, it is noise pollution where we want to hear piano alone.

The best music on this concert is found in the two last short pieces, the first of which is Over the Rainbow. Keith's version of this is something everyone should hear. He certainly seems to respect the piece and brings as much feeling to it as anyone possibly could. So why the 3 stars? Because the two long pieces forming the body of this concert are simply not very musical. Yes they show unbelievable technique and creativity, but not much to really engage one musically. There are some good and interesting rhythmic moments, but they don't sound very different from things we've heard him do many times before. These better passages are "connected" by slow (sometimes painfully slow) meanderings which go nowhere and are not distinctive in any way. I wish someone had filmed his Koln Concert or his other early European concerts when he played really beautiful and flowing music. Now that's something I would pay big bucks to experience. I have purchased much of Keith's work, including the whole Sun Bear concerts set which did not come cheap. My life is richer because I have experienced his music, but this particular concert is just not one of his best.

A Study of Keith Jarrett from 1984.......2006-01-15

"The Melody at Night with You" is perhaps the best introduction to Keith Jarrett. If you want to see him play and understand how he creates sublime sounds that penetrate the soul in exquisite moments of elation that capture your heart in deep sighs of comfort, then you may want to watch Last Solo.

From the first few seconds, Keith Jarrett pours his soul over the keys in soft lilting expressions and deep heart-infusing melodies. The delicacy of his playing is like feathers falling on the piano keys and seems born of the way he incorporates his entire body into the experience. He is no longer just playing an instrument and creating blissful music, the piano almost seems to have captured his hands and he is possessed by sound and energy, where his soul and the piano become one.

The way he moves his shoulders almost seems to create an energy that rolls from his body, delicately capturing a series of creative explorations. As he masterfully channels energy and creativity, he modifies the energy by releasing it through his body in somewhat bizarre contortions. This seems to allow his fingers to release less energy, therefore causing the sounds to appear floating, delicate and supremely intoxicating.

As if possessed by beauty, a profound stillness descends over the listener in the presence of eccentric greatness. Comforting sensations lull your heart into a rising happiness or sense of elation. Seeing the invisible and embracing the intangible seem part of the enjoyment, as the body and piano become a secondary stage to the stunning beauty of the music.

A sublime version of "Over the Rainbow" is the highlight of this DVD, as are unique ways Keith Jarrett plays the piano. A moment of humor is surprisingly funny as Keith Jarrett plays the piano in an almost experimental fashion. I can also hear him humming along as he completely seems to become possessed by his own creativity. The minute he sits down to play, a musical possession seems to take place. The musical perfection is the captivating factor and the soul-soothing spontaneity is the ecstasy.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Check out the sound.......2005-10-23

My favorite thing about this DVD is the 5.1 audio. The 6 channel stereo of Jarrett at the Steinway in a live concert environment is an audiophile's dream come true. For this reason alone, I highly recommend this DVD.

failure to perceive.......2003-01-18

Those who love Jarrett's music but don't like this DVD have to be loopy. People complained that there is too much of his face. If you had a DVD of Shakespeare, would you want to look at his writing hand the whole time? They don't realize who Jarrett is. He's one of history's greatest geniuses. If you don't want to see what his face looks like, then you really don't care about him or his music. You may think you do, but you don't. His body contortions are some of the strangest things I've seen--they are a performance in themselves. I didn't think people could look like this before watching Last Solo. Until you see him play, you can't really have any idea of the intensity with which he approaches his music. It can't be imagined. We're not talking about painful struggle. We're talking about ecstasy and transcendence. You have to realize who these negative reviewers must be. Do you really think the people entrusted to produce Keith Jarrett's last solo concert would be anything but masters of their art?

buy the cd instead.......2002-09-17

The music is wonderful but the direction is awful. On this 92 minute DVD more time is spent looking up Jarrett's nostrils that at the keyboard.
An improv concert is not significant because of the particular sequence of Jarrett's facial contortions. It's the music, man. The music! So why all the face shots?
Now I'm familiar with Jarret's antics, and the verbailizations hardly interfere with my appreciation of the music, but I won't buy another Jarrett solo DVD without some assurance that I'll actually get to watch him play the piano.
(Actually there are a couple nice shots, but I wouldn't buy this one again).

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