What are Your Favoritie Keith Jarrett Impulse Albums?

[AndrewHill]

I originally was going to start a thread seeking opinions of 'Death and the Flower' since I have an opportunity to pick it up for $8 at a used cd store, but then I was thinking that I really want to wrap my ears around Jarrett's entire Impulse catalogue, so I want to know what everyone's opinions are of everything he did for the label as leader. I have 'Treasure Island' and 'Mysteries' and I enjoy both of these a great deal. I have never heard 'Bop-Be' and 'Byablue' but I believe these were issued domestically as 'Silence' so I left that off the poll to cut down on redundency. So tell me what you think!

[jlhoots]

I have & like all of them.

I voted for Fort Yawuh.

BTW I'd certainly pick up Death & The Flower for that price.

Edited September 29, 2007 by jlhoots

[randyhersom]

Much love for Death and the Flower here. The deeply felt, meditative Prayer features just Jarrett and Haden. A Great Bird is propulsive and melodically memorable. The title track unfolds slowly and has moments of great beauty. What a band.

[RDK]

Bop-Be for sentimental reasons, but really all of them are very good.

[fkimbrough]

My favorite is the one that's not on the list - "Shades". When Dewey begins his solo on the title cut, I get a chill, even after 30 years! On the LP version, "Shades" makes an amazing segue into "Southern Smiles". On the Impulse boxed set, "Mysteries", the segue's not there - it was an edit, but a damn good one. "Backhand" is another good one, also not on the list. I would suggest saving the pennies and getting both Impulse boxed sets. I think that was one of the greatest bands of its time. Everyone sounded great, both live and in the studio.

[Guy Berger]

I'm surprised you didn't include Shades or Backhand on the list -- they are among the group's best albums.

I voted for Fort Yawuh.

IMHO BopBe is one of the group's weakest albums.

Guy

[AndrewHill]

I'm surprised you didn't include Shades or Backhand on the list -- they are among the group's best albums.

Guy

Honestly I didn't know about these titles until you just brought them up otherwise I certianly would've.

Edited September 30, 2007 by Holy Ghost

[JSngry]

Had to vote for Bop-Be, just for Dewey's contributions, especially on "Gotta Get Some Sleep".

Entirely personal choice, btw.

[analogak]

dump the impulses, grab "el juice".

[Guy Berger]

or do you have "the survivors suite"? even better...i am just suggesting these because it's the same band but better music, imo.

I disagree -- I would pick at least 4 or 5 of the Impulse albums before the Survivor's Suite. But SS is easily worth it just for Dewey's playing during the last 5 or 6 minutes.

Guy

[AndrewHill]

BTW I'd certainly pick up Death & The Flower for that price.

Ok, so I pulled the trigger and picked it up today. I have to say that my first impression so far is really good. Haden's bass on the first track is haunting and mysterious. I haven't listened to the rest of the cd yet, because I've had too many interuptions from my kids and so forth. But so far, I'm very happy I got it. Great sound too.

For those in the know: has 'Shades' or 'Backhand' ever been released on cd? I did a cursory search with no results.

[Guy Berger]

BTW I'd certainly pick up Death & The Flower for that price.

Ok, so I pulled the trigger and picked it up today. I have to say that my first impression so far is really good. Haden's bass on the first track is haunting and mysterious. I haven't listened to the rest of the cd yet, because I've had too many interuptions from my kids and so forth. But so far, I'm very happy I got it. Great sound too.

For those in the know: has 'Shades' or 'Backhand' ever been released on cd? I did a cursory search with no results.

Just pick up the blue box set. It has a bunch of music that has never been released elsewhere and probably never will be. Unfortunately for Shades you will either have to pay for an expensive import or (if you want the great bonus tracks) Itunes.

Guy

[skeith]

I have both of those Jarrett american quartet Impulse boxes and love 'em both.

[Hot Ptah]

Fort Yawuh and Treasure Island are almost like collections of singles. The songs are short and catchy.

For long, extended blowing, my favorite is Backhand.

[Guy Berger]

Fort Yawuh and Treasure Island are almost like collections of singles. The songs are short and catchy.

Are you sure you're thinking of Fort Yawuh? Aside from "Still Life, Still Life", all the songs are upwards of 12 minutes in length.

Guy

[Hot Ptah]

Fort Yawuh and Treasure Island are almost like collections of singles. The songs are short and catchy.

Are you sure you're thinking of Fort Yawuh? Aside from "Still Life, Still Life", all the songs are upwards of 12 minutes in length.

Guy

You are correct. I am wrong.

[AndrewHill]

Listened to Death and the Flower all the way through today, and I like it A LOT! I only have Mysteries and Treasure Island and this one is my fav so far. Can't wait to hear more.

[montg]

I recently picked up one of those Jarrett 'impulse story' samplers for a buck, my first Jarrett CD actually. Pleasantly surprised, especially Dewey Redman--I found myself waiting sometimes for KJ to stop noodling so that Dewey could come in.