Is Yesterdays a good place to start with Keith Jarrett?

Yes, Yesterdays is recommended as a starting point for new Keith Jarrett listeners. A reflective tapestry of jazz standards woven with Jarrett's intricate piano improvisations and emotive interpretations. Upon its release in 2009, 'Yesterdays' marked a significant moment in Keith Jarrett's discography as it came after a series of acclaimed solo and trio albums. At this point, Jarrett was widely recognized as one of the leading figures in jazz, celebrated for his unique blend of improvisation and classical influences. This album, featuring a collection of jazz standards, showcases his continued exploration of the genre while also serving as a retrospective of his extensive career.

Who is Yesterdays for?

Yesterdays works well if you're into steady melodic exploration throughout, serene background for relaxation and emotive depth in improvisation.

How many songs are on Yesterdays?

Yesterdays has 9 tracks, running approximately 75 minutes.

Yesterdays

Keith Jarrett · 2009

75 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A reflective tapestry of jazz standards woven with Jarrett's intricate piano improvisations and emotive interpretations.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Strollin' Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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You Took Advantage of Me — This track captures Jarrett's ability to blend lyrical beauty with complex improvisation, showcasing his technical prowess alongside deep emotional expression.
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Yesterdays — Jarrett’s rendition brings a haunting quality to this classic tune, with his delicate phrasing allowing the melancholy of the piece to resonate throughout.
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Stella by Starlight — With its intricate harmonies and Jarrett’s sensitive touch, this track highlights his interpretative skills and deep understanding of jazz tradition.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

Jarrett's intricate improvisations and emotive interpretations create a reflective jazz experience.

What we noticed

Each track features extended improvisation, with Jarrett often exploring multiple themes within a single piece.
The album maintains a consistent tempo throughout, with most tracks hovering around a reflective mid-tempo pace.
Jarrett's use of dynamics varies significantly, with some passages featuring soft, delicate playing contrasted by more forceful sections.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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

steady melodic exploration throughout
serene background for relaxation
emotive depth in improvisation
for reflective moments

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced listening
seek standalone hit tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Represents a high point in Jarrett's interpretative artistry of jazz standards.
Themes: jazz standards reinterpretation· improvisational mastery
Career context: Upon its release in 2009, 'Yesterdays' marked a significant moment in Keith Jarrett's discography as it came after a series of acclaimed solo and trio albums. At this point, Jarrett was widely recognized as one of the leading figures in jazz, celebrated for his unique blend of improvisation and classical influences. This album, featuring a collection of jazz standards, showcases his continued exploration of the genre while also serving as a retrospective of his extensive career.
Stylistic neighbors: Chick Corea· Brad Mehldau· Bill Evans

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

You Took Advantage of Me

The narrative shifts from playful to introspective as the protagonist reflects on vulnerability and regret.

This tonal shift underscores the complexity of human emotions, adding depth to an otherwise straightforward tale of heartbreak.