Lee Tyler Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Would anyone out there who has a special place in their heart for this improvisational masterpiece want to reminisce about what this album meant to you, and what was happening in your life when you first heard it? (I'll spill my beans if you guys do) ---Lee Joe Pine (60's talk show host who sported a wooden leg) to Frank Zappa -- "So, with your long hair, I guess that makes you a woman." Frank Zappa's response -- "So, with your wooden leg, I guess that makes you a table." http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=2001&alid=-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petros Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 I've got a complete transcription of it from Japan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
progfusion74 Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 I was never a big fan of the piano as a featured instrument (always very B3 biased) till I heard this. I must have been about 14 or 15. I still use it whenever I need inspiration (not musical inspiration, but inspiration in general) prog http://www.indiegrooves.com/dnm/images/dnm_small.gif My Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 This album ranks right up there with the greatest as far as I'm concerend. I was about 17-18 when I first heard it, when it came out. It conjures memories of a certain woman I was in love with; a band I played with; living in San Francisco. I played it and played it and played it. Certain sections. It spurred my imagination in terms of what could be done with improvisation. I loved that the process of listening to his creations could be as creative for the listener. Knowing that, except for the final piece, the entire concert was improvised; nothing prepared before hand, was a revelation. That he had the courage and the ego to do this. All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Tyler Posted September 29, 2003 Author Share Posted September 29, 2003 Originally posted by henryrobinett: This album ranks right up there with the greatest as far as I'm concerend. I was about 17-18 when I first heard it, when it came out. It conjures memories of a certain woman I was in love with; a band I played with; living in San Francisco. I played it and played it and played it. Certain sections. It spurred my imagination in terms of what could be done with improvisation. I loved that the process of listening to his creations could be as creative for the listener. Knowing that, except for the final piece, the entire concert was improvised; nothing prepared before hand, was a revelation. That he had the courage and the ego to do this.Yes....yes.....AND YES! My memories (my late teens/early 20's) were of expensive Scotch, doobie-toking, entertaining an "older" woman (next door neighbor, woman's-wear writer) of about 36 years old. She played that album constantly. She was into this Mrs. Robinson thing, and so was my hormonally challenged body. She died in a fire confined to only her apartment a few years later after leaving food on the stove in a drunken stupor. Lucky the entire block didnt burn down. The kitchen was charred. The rest of the home was black with soot and was not destroyed from fire. It is with this coating of soot where the strange and well demarcated STARK WHITE outline of her body lay on the bed. Like a ghost. So were the same "ghosts" of her 2 cats. One ghost was plain to see in the newly blackened bathtub. I always used to hear her making typical bathroom noises coming through the solid-poured concrete walls on occasion throughout the years. Very difficult to hear through this particular type of pre-war N.Y.C. type construction though. Toilet flushing, occasional item dropped, wailing due to the loss of a boyfriend. She had her demons close at hand most of here life, especially after her divorce from here drill-sargent husband. I was nearly asleep that "night". I heard the noises. Sounded a bit different. Cupped my ear to the wall this time. Heard some crying. not unusual. Heard a cat meowing. Not unusual. Heard some "crackling" noises that were unfamiliar, but thought nothing of it. Fell asleep and was awaken by the crash of breaking glass outside and dancing red lights. Peeked out, and a tower ladder was right in over on my neighbors terrace. Then pounding on the door. "Get out" said the firemen. By the time my newlywed wife and I threw on some clothes and reached for my front door, there she was. Naked, blackened, 6 feet long, sprawled out motionless in the hallway in front of my door. Firemen doing CPR. Took her away in an ambulance soon there after. The new wife handled it well. A few hours later "Mrs. Robinson" was gone. Sorry about the rambling nature of this post, but I guess listening to a cut from that album pulled me back enough to want to part with these memories after all these years (about 15) That night was not spoken about since. I had to share, and for that, I thank you letting me get this off my chest. Sad, very sad. Joe Pine (60's talk show host who sported a wooden leg) to Frank Zappa -- "So, with your long hair, I guess that makes you a woman." Frank Zappa's response -- "So, with your wooden leg, I guess that makes you a table." http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=2001&alid=-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BP3 Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Music is an extremely powerful memory trigger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linwood Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 One of my favorites. It's one of those that you have on vinyl and CD. I love Keith as leader, soloist, and sideman. Remember the Charles Lloyd stuff and Gnu High. Good stuff, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 I haven't listened to The Koln Concert in a long time, but I will now. As Henry and I discussed recently, "Belonging" is one of my all-time favorite albums, and I just recently had "My Song" in the car CD player. As much as I love those quartet albums w/Jan Garbarek, and as brilliant as Jarrett is with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette*, he's from another planet when it's just him and a piano. * My personal "Keith Jarrett story" doesn't involve "The Koln Concert", but it does involve a woman. Back in the mid-'80s, I took a date to the Eastman Theater to hear Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, and Jack DeJohnette. We were running late, so rather that finding a spot in a ramp garage near the theater, I parked in the alley behind the theater where many other cars were parked. From early in the concert, my date was NOT digging it. I was. Great concert, but not exactly a good date. After the concert, we walked to my car...only find the street was a "no parking zone" and the every car had been towed! I called a cab to take my date home, then (at 11pm) called friends who lived nearby to borrow their car so I could drive home and get to work in the morning. Never did hear from that girl again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan South Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Sorry, fellas, but the Koln concern was the most boring recording the I've ever purchased - thanks for nothing, Columbia Record Club! Only Radiohead's Kid A was a bigger waste of money. The Black Knight always triumphs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Originally posted by Dan South: Sorry, fellas, but the Koln concern was the most boring recording the I've ever purchased - thanks for nothing, Columbia Record Club! Only Radiohead's Kid A was a bigger waste of money.Whoa. All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linwood Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Hey Mark - Yea sometimes chicks don't get it. Take my wife (please), Keith is playing in LA on 11/11 with the LA Philharmonic. I want to go, you know get a room and stay in LA for a couple days, catch the show, but my wife doesn't want to go. I think I play his dvds too much and she's sick of his singin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linwood Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 I just thought of something........maybe it's not Keith that turns her off ,but the thought of a overweight,bald headed, jingle writer with cancer chasing her around a hotel room for a weekend....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monster Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Mark did you get your car back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangefunk Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Originally posted by Lee Tyler: Would anyone out there who has a special place in their heart for this improvisational masterpiece want to reminisce about what this album meant to you, and what was happening in your life when you first heard it? (I'll spill my beans if you guys do) ---LeeWow I was just playing this all week! I first heard this years and years ago on the radio, loved it but I was always worried about buying it seeing those 26.00+ type times on the album cover thinking "heck could I listen to an album of piano solos with tracks that long!!???" Well I'll tell you now, this CD means everything to me, its just gorgeous right from the off.. with that beautiful bluesy improv but really ignites on Part IIb which just breaks me to pieces... wow so much emotion on that.. when those Steve Reich "Piano Phase" time standing still, type sequences start (around 6 mins?) my heart just drops and then when the chords start resolving I'm gone.. its just heartbreaking stuff... yeah old girlfriends, old memories etc.. I can't fault it.. I just can't understand what he's doing.. I hear parts that sound like 2 players playing the piano... is his left hand really doing those sequences (start of IIb onwards for 10 mins I guess) or does he cross hands... Some people are really gifted, but some people are just beyond that.. I'd rate Keith above any of the keybaordists of the era, his stuff hasn't dated at all.. probably to do with him always playing acoustic piano since 1972 (I think he played epiano last on Freddie Hubbards SkyDive or perhaps First Light) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Dan South wrote: Sorry, fellas, but the Koln concern was the most boring recording the I've ever purchased Dan, I don't know what to say. I met a couple of other people who had this reaction. My only response is that I question whether they knew the significance of what he achieved with this recording and what he was doing in the first place. Sure there are plenty of boring spots where, I presume, he's searching for his muse. But my god there are other moments of pure sublimity. He emptied himself of himself, or tried to prior to these concerts. Tried to forget anything he knew about music or his preconceptions about it. That is if his "posturings" are to be believed. And I give him the benefit of the doubt, since his record speaks for itself. Anyone can noodle, and noodle he does from time to time. But suddenly seemingly out of nowhere this absolutely gorgeous picture emerges, sometimes only briefly. It reminded me what humanity is all about. Seriously. Keep in mind this is pre newage. Had nothing to do with newage. But it spawned cheap imitators. He had the audacity, coming from jazz, a music and title he shunned at the time, to play TRIADS. To play gospel flavored piano, sometimes sounding little more than an advanced version of Elton John. He played with at times a profound lyricalness. And although others on this forum have pooh-poohed the notion of emotion as anything actually having anything to do with music whatsoever, I defy any of those detractors to say Jarrett was devoid of emotion. One of the reasons this record has been so influential is that he had the guts to wear his emotion on his sleeve. To play with a directness of simplicity and not fear repetition. It takes guts to make a record in a capacity concert auditorium on solo piano with no music prepared. He was into that Gurjieff/Ouspensky thing. I think that regardless whether the music on the record appeals to you or not, -- well that's almost besides the point. It's that he created a new standard for improvisation in jazz. He went on to perform hundreds more concerts improvised in this way. I saw a couple. He burnt himself out doing it. But this represents the concept when it was new and relatively fresh to him. Inspired and melodic. He admits himself that he was never able to quite recapture that thing that was Koln Concert and his frustration with his fans who continually asked him to play like he did on this record is evident in interviews. Like it or not this record is an historical statment and achievement. All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Originally posted by monster: Mark did you get your car back?Sorry to go OT... Yes, the next day around noon. I was instructed to go to pay the fine (maybe $75?) at the Rochester Hall of Justice building. The friend who loaned me his car dropped me off and went back to work. What I wasn't told: that's not where my car was. The impound lot is a 10-15 minute drive from there, not walking distance. So I had to call a cab to take me to my car! Linwood: My wife might not "get" Keith Jarrett, but she completely indulges my taste in music, and I reciprocate by finding new artists that she would like. Last week, I hit a home run taking her to hear Curtis Stigers, whom she'd never heard before but enjoyed. This weekend, we'll probably go hear Peter Cincotti, because she likes artists like Harry Connick Jr. and Diana Krall. But if I go see Joey DeFrancesco later in October or Pat Metheny in November, I think I'm on my own. Anyhow, maybe you can find some performer your wife would like in LA around the Jarrett concert. Try www.Citysearch.com or www.Pollstar.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dementia13 Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Straying to the OT, I'm often amazed at what kind of off-the-wall stuff my wife will like. Her problem is, she'll play something to death and then never want to hear it again. So if I still like it...tough. Back on topic...I've been listening constantly to Jarrett with Peacock and DeJohnette, but I wasn't aware of this. Hearing how highly you guys are speaking of this, it sounds like I need to invest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Tyler Posted September 30, 2003 Author Share Posted September 30, 2003 Originally posted by TinderArts: Music is an extremely powerful memory trigger.Ain't it? Joe Pine (60's talk show host who sported a wooden leg) to Frank Zappa -- "So, with your long hair, I guess that makes you a woman." Frank Zappa's response -- "So, with your wooden leg, I guess that makes you a table." http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=2001&alid=-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan South Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Originally posted by henryrobinett: Like it or not this record is an historical statment and achievement.Henry, I respect you greatly, and I'm glad that this record meant so much to you. It just didn't click with me, historic or not. I'm sure that the mapping of the human genome was historic, as well, but if I'd been sitting there watching the researchers doing it, I would not have appreciated the significance of it. Perhaps that's because of my own weaknesses - I don't know jack about genetics. I don't know jack about Keith Jarrett or his internal artistic struggles or his historical artistic motives. All I know is that I bought several of his records because downbeat raved about his music, and none of those records except for one piece from an album of him playing a pipe organ in Europe, touched me in any way, shape, or form. I'm just the guy who doesn't GET Keith Jarrett. It came across as an unfocused stream of consciousness. It seems to me that anyone could have played like that (especially with enough drugs). But, again, that's just MY take. I'm sure that there are people who don't GET Steely Dan or The Beatles or Miles Davis or Stravinsky. Believe me, I KNOW some of those people. Their lack of affinity for these artists doesn't mean that the music is without merit. The Black Knight always triumphs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Originally posted by Dan South: I'm just the guy who doesn't GET Keith Jarrett. It came across as an unfocused stream of consciousness. And that's exactly what it was! LOL! Hey I don't care whether you like Jarrett or not. I was just trying to explain the significance of what he was doing from MY pov. Does not matter. Taste vary and no one can be wrong when it comes to taste. His album "Hyms and Spheres" for example - anyway I THINK that's the one that has organ, I personally think is total crap. LOL. Listen from another pov he's a pretentious prick. Sometimes he's more than a bit too precious and thinks he's gods gift to music. So far be it for me to be critical of someone who doesn't think he is. On the other hand when I listen to track 3, he begins with boring drivel. Sounds lost or not particularly interested or inspired. Suddenly around 6:30 he finds a theme; a little half step 8th note figure. Modulates repeatedly. Finds another theme and keeps the first going. Then around 11:00 changes again. Then at 11:20 a beautiful song happens out of no where, just for a moment. But I loved, especially upon first listening, creating it with him. 'Where's he going with this?', kind of thing. Like any good jazz solo. But yes, it's ALL stream of conciousness. There's no form particularly. And yes I have no doubt a lot of people could have done it. I don't happen to believe Jarrett is gods gift to music. But no one else had the audacity to step up to the plate. Sometimes that's all greatness is. To have the audacity to do something. Now I'm not going to attempt to convince you of Jarrett. I despise Elvis. I don't know how many unfortunate people have wasted their and my time trying to convince me of the greatness of The King. They'll play me records from the Sun Sessions and play/discuss this and that till everyone's blue in the face. It ain't gonna happen. All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangefunk Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Originally posted by henryrobinett: Originally posted by Dan South: [qb] On the other hand when I listen to track 3, he begins with boring drivel. Sounds lost or not particularly interested or inspired. Suddenly around 6:30 he finds a theme; a little half step 8th note figure. Modulates repeatedly. Finds another theme and keeps the first going. Then around 11:00 changes again. Then at 11:20 a beautiful song happens out of no where, just for a moment. But I loved, especially upon first listening, creating it with him. 'Where's he going with this?', kind of thing. Like any good jazz solo. I think all of track 3 (is that Part IIb?) is just awesome... I love that repetition the minimalist system type thing hes got going on at the start to 6mins... so I guess I'm different again.. What he does after that is something else though... One thing I think is a detraction about the recording is the piano sound... its the only thing I think spoils it... very bright and yet distant with tons of reverb... reminds me of someone playing a Cp70 at times.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcohol Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 I too found the Koln concert boring. I don't care if the music is improvised or composed, I expect to hear a narrative, in the form of melody and development. I expect my attention to be kept. There's too much good music to be wasted on indulging mediocrity. Emotion by and of itself is not enought for me. An artist has standards to live up to, and an artist's ability to emote is just one part of the creative challenge. "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality." [Dante Alighieri] (1265-1321) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 Alcohol, that's fine, but the whole deal about that record is precisely it's melodicism. There is development. Boring fine. All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcohol Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 henry, I'm going to see if I still have it and give it a listen. If not, I'll see if it's available from iTunes. "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality." [Dante Alighieri] (1265-1321) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Tyler Posted October 1, 2003 Author Share Posted October 1, 2003 "To each his/her own" or "What makes the world go round". Eggs and mustard. The Honda "Element". "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Shaved???? Or smooth like a Buick. You know the score, guys. Different strokes. It's all good to love what affects YOU and your soul. ---Lee Joe Pine (60's talk show host who sported a wooden leg) to Frank Zappa -- "So, with your long hair, I guess that makes you a woman." Frank Zappa's response -- "So, with your wooden leg, I guess that makes you a table." http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=2001&alid=-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeebus Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 Originally posted by alcohol: henry, I'm going to see if I still have it and give it a listen. If not, I'll see if it's available from iTunes.If not, try Kazaa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcohol Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 I found it and listened to it. It certainly has melodic improvisation and development. "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality." [Dante Alighieri] (1265-1321) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alby Posted October 4, 2003 Share Posted October 4, 2003 The koln concert was amazing the first time I heard it. This was at university, and I was playing this form of improvised music where you made everything up, chords, melodies etc. This was because I had no background in jazz or any jazz theory behind me. It sounded ok sometimes, boring at other times. I found it very hard to keep any level of consistancy of quality from performance to performance. Of course, I had no idea what I was doing. Then I heard the Koln concert, and I was both inspired and depressed at the same time. To me, this was the Nirvana of totally improvised music. The ideas and melodies, and rhythmic counterpoints were so beautiful and rich in character. It really was wonderful to listen to. Twenty years later, I bought the CD again. It still sounds great, but didn't have the same impact as when I first was listening to it at University. Strange... I wonder if I bumped into any of the my old flames from my university days, it would be the same effect? Alby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petros Posted October 4, 2003 Share Posted October 4, 2003 The Koln Concert is truly a masterpiece, an artist searching and finding episodes of beauty and emotion. I remember at that time many narrow minded jazz snobs, my well known teacher for example, put it down and called it boring. (snob: : one who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded as inferior b : one who has an offensive air of superiority in matters of knowledge or taste ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petros Posted October 4, 2003 Share Posted October 4, 2003 I think the CD release does not have the dynamic sound quality of the original vinyl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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