Pianist Keith Jarrett goes it alone on The Melody at Night, With You. No stranger to solo recitals, here Jarrett tackles familiar standards along with a few traditional pieces and as we come to expect, the performances are near flawless. Part of the beauty and majesty of it all lies within Jarrett's penchant for understatement and ebullience while possessing an astounding sense of depth and range. Throughout this recording, Jarrett has seemingly decided to forego any semblance of dramatics as he vividly sets the scenario for the listener along with the partner of his or her choice as they may sit in front of a soft burning fire under dim lights.
On The Melody at Night, With You Jarrett shares these precious and at times blissful and somber moments with the listener which is evident from the opening moments of the Gershwin/Heyward classic, "I Loves You Porgy." Here, Jarrett performs with such sincerity, innocence and breadth while on Kern/Hammerstein's "Don't Ever Leave Me," Jarrett employs an ever so soft, delicate touch along with passionate phrasing as the pianist evokes imagery of perhaps a small group of folks sipping expensive cognac while hovering around the master's piano in intimate environs.
Jarrett's simply stated elegance on "My Wild Irish Rose" proposes quietude and inner beauty, as you may find yourself humming along with Jarrett's deft voicings and graceful interpretation of the familiar melody lines. Timbre and resonance come to the forefront on the Brodsky/Kahn composition, "Be My Love" while Jarrett's somewhat spiritual rendering of the American traditional piece, "Shenandoah" comprises eloquently executed block chords and temporal passages. Here, Jarrett is a master at utilizing space via variances in pitch and tonal balance.
Keith Jarrett's remarkable and multidimensional talents surface once again on The Melody at Night, With You. Nothing flashy or exorbitant here as Jarrett captures the essence of the moment while honoring traditionalism in a magnificent and outwardly personal fashion.
Personnel: Keith Jarrett: piano.
