Double 180g audiophile vinyl release of Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden's 'Last Dance'.

 

Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden broaden the scope of their duo project to showcase jazz classics like Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight" and Bud Powell's sprightly "Dance of the Infidels". Love songs, however, are to the fore in this selection, with tender versions of "My Old Flame", "My Ship", "It Might As Well Be Spring", "Everything Happens To Me", and "Every Time We Say Goodbye" as well as alternate takes of "Where Can I Go Without You" and "Goodbye", every bit as touching as the renditions on their previous best-selling album Jasmine (released in 2010).

 

"When we play together it's like two people singing", said Keith Jarrett of his reunion with Haden. The intentions of the song are honoured, the shades of meaning in a melody or a lyric explored instrumentally. As Charlie Haden put it, "Keith really listens, and I listen.

 

That's the secret. It's about listening." The music of Last Dance was recorded at Keith Jarrett's home studio.

 

They don't overstate anything; the music provides meaning all on its own. They relax into its beauty playing toward one another as hints, suggestions, and references to popular music history bridge the space between. Last Dance is a necessary addendum to Jasmine; it fleshes out the confident, mature, amiable, and eloquent speech in the canonical language these two jazz masters share.

 

Personnel:

 

Keith Jarrett (piano)

Charlie Haden (double bass)

 

Press reactions to Jasmine:

 

"As a concept, these piano-and-bass explorations of eight classic American songs could not be simpler, but the poise and subtlety of both thought and execution make it a spell-binding experience." - Dave Gelly, The Observer

 

"An intimate, home-studio recording of love songs - deep, almost painfully heartfelt - and so good it will be sure to top most best-of-lists...If you buy only one album this year..." - Phil Johnson, Independent on Sunday

 

"A sublime collaboration." - Charles Waring, Record Collector