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
Koeln Concert
,
Bremen and Lausanne
, etc., and later notated, or if it was originally composed. Though
'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