Setting Standards: New York Sessions
Keith Jarrett · 2008
128 min · 14 tracks · jazz
A contemplative blend of jazz standards and improvisational depth, showcasing a master pianist's emotional resonance and technical prowess.
Top tracks — play these first
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God Bless the Child — This track exemplifies Jarrett's emotive playing style, merging intricate piano solos with heartfelt expressions that elevate the classic standard into a deeply personal interpretation.
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All the Things You Are — Jarrett's rendition transforms this well-known piece through fluid improvisation and rich harmonic explorations, showcasing his technical mastery and sensitivity.
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Moon and Sand — The atmospheric quality of this track allows Jarrett to delve into lyrical improvisation, creating an intimate space that resonates with both nostalgia and innovation.
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Meaning of the Blues Start here — This opening track sets a reflective tone for the album, highlighting Jarrett's ability to convey deep emotion through minimalist phrasing and dynamic contrasts.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalJarrett's blend of standards and improvisation highlights his technical skill and emotional depth, making it a notable entry in his discography.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a series of jazz standards, each lasting between five to eight minutes, allowing for extended improvisation.
- The last three tracks shift into more abstract and free-form improvisations, diverging from the structured standards that precede them.
- Each track showcases Jarrett's intricate piano work, with a focus on emotional expression and dynamic contrasts throughout.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- meditative background focus
- dynamic emotional journeys
- intricate, layered sonic textures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases Jarrett's emotional depth and technical prowess, highly regarded in his catalog.
- Themes
- New York jazz scene· intimate piano improvisation· nostalgic standards reinterpretation
- Career context
- By the time 'Setting Standards: New York Sessions' was released in 2008, Keith Jarrett was already an esteemed figure in jazz, known for his expansive body of work. This album arrives after his acclaimed 'Vienna Concert' series, marking a continuation of his exploration into live performance and reinterpretation of jazz standards.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chick Corea· Brad Mehldau· Bill Evans
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Meaning of the Blues Start here 9:26
- 2 All the Things You Are 7:47
- 3 It Never Entered My Mind 6:48
- 4 The Masquerade Is Over 6:01
- 5 God Bless the Child 15:31
Disc 2
- 1 So Tender 7:19
- 2 Moon and Sand 8:59
- 3 In Love in Vain 7:14
- 4 Never Let Me Go 7:52
- 5 If I Should Lose You 8:32
- 6 I Fall in Love Too Easily 5:12
Disc 3
- 1 Flying, Part 1 16:06
- 2 Flying, Part 2 14:48
- 3 Prism 6:30
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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