CD Review: Keith Jarrett - No End

Jarrett (Electric Guitars, Electric Bass,Drums, Tabla, Percussion, Voice, Recorder, Piano).

(Review by Steve H.)  

Keith Jarrett is one of the finest musicians to ever have graced this earth.

However, this double CD is a strange one. It appears to be an extended jam session, though not a one the Women’s Institute would be likely to hold. Stranger still is that, despite a vast array of instruments played, there is only performer -  Keith Jarrett.

No End was recorded in 1986 in Jarrett’s home studio  with 2 Tandberg Cassette recorders and used over-dubbing to layer all the instruments. It's fairly ambient electro jazz rock driven largely by electric guitar and drums (2 of Jarrett’s self confessed true loves). The tracks are very imaginatively named. CD1 contains tunes I-X and CD2 XI-XX. My own particular favourite is track XII which reminded me of Miles Davis’s In a Silent Way.

Definitely a curious offering and for those expecting to hear the great piano albums that  Jarrett is famous for (e.g.  Koln Concert, Standards Trio) you may be disappointed.  Nevertheless, fans of the great man (of which I must admit to being) will find it reflective , interesting and enjoyable.
Available this month on ECM.

Steve H.