The Mourning of a Star
Keith Jarrett · 1971
43 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A contemplative blend of jazz improvisation and minimalist interludes that evokes deep emotional landscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Follow the Crooked Path (Though It Be Longer) Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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The Mourning of a Star — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of loss and reflection through its lengthy, meditative exploration and intricate melodic development.
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Trust — This piece showcases Jarrett's mastery of tension and release, where subtle dynamics build an intimate connection with the listener over nearly seven minutes.
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Everything That Lives Laments — In just over two minutes, this track delivers a poignant expression of sorrow, using sparse notes that linger hauntingly in the air.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's blend of structured and improvised elements creates a unique listening experience, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.
What we noticed
- Three of the eleven tracks are interludes that serve as brief pauses, creating a reflective space between the more developed pieces.
- The longest track, 'The Mourning of a Star', showcases an extended improvisational section that evolves over its duration, allowing for deep emotional exploration.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- wave-like emotional ebb and flow
- introspective moments for deep thought
- suitable for reflective solitude
- improvised passages inviting exploration
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer upbeat, high-energy tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked a significant transition in Jarrett's career and sound.
- Themes
- personal loss· intimate reflection· meditative improvisation
- Career context
- Released in 1971, The Mourning of a Star was Keith Jarrett's first album after his acclaimed solo piano performance in Koln. At this time, Jarrett was transitioning from his work with ensembles to expressing a more personal and introspective musical voice, setting the stage for his future explorations in solo improvisation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chick Corea· Brad Mehldau· Bill Evans
Tracklist
- 1 Follow the Crooked Path (Though It Be Longer) Start here 6:15
- 2 Interlude No. 3 1:13
- 3 Standing Outside 3:21
- 4 Everything That Lives Laments 2:14
- 5 Interlude No. 1 1:38
- 6 Trust 6:57
- 7 All I Want 2:20
- 8 Traces of You 5:08
- 9 The Mourning of a Star 9:18
- 10 Interlude No. 2 0:53
- 11 Sympathy 4:33
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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