I've recently become really interested in Keith Jarrett's solo recordings and the development they have taken over time. Thus I thought I would spend some time looking at them.

Keith Jarrett Solo Part I: Facing You

Recorded at the age of 26, Facing You was Keith Jarrett's first solo recording. While more free and modern than early solo piano recordings (Tatum, Peterson), but more 'inside' than the solo performances of Cecil Taylor (which had only a few years earlier become popular), this date remains a milestone. One aspect that makes this date different from almost every other Jarrett solo record is that the songs seem to have been somewhat thought of beforehand. Some tracks, such as the opener "In Front" , seem to be based just on sketches of ideas: the song begins with a recurring motif but seems to develop quite freely. Others, however, such as "Lalene" and "Starbright" seem more like actual pre-written songs. An online transcription of "Starbright" even paints it as a traditional form. Some tracks, such as "My Lady; My Child", are rather aimless, and it seems as though the preemptive aspect of this recording took away some of the fire that would eventually find its way into future solo recordings.

While this album definitely stands out as a premature solo effort, there is certainly a fair amount of classic Jarrett to hear. "In Front" (perhaps a foreshadowing of outspoken Keith Jarrett fan Jason Moran's "Out Front"?) contains a long bluesy-vamp, very reminiscent of many later solo concert moments. "Ritooria" is ripe with the space and air that makes so many of Jarrett's later solo efforts so powerful. But what holds this recording back from standing as one of his best is perhaps the overall lack of patience. Like a young Brad Mehldau, many of Jarrett's early recordings show expositions of technique and flair that can only be called anxious; this record is no different. Take, perhaps, the solo section of "Starbright" where Jarrett plays a stride accompaniment in his left hand with lightning fast lines in his right. Flawless and incredible as it is, the result lacks the poignancy and seriousness of what was yet to come.

In an interesting twist, Facing You was released one year prior to Paul Bley's Open, To Love. Bley is one of the few pianists that Keith Jarrett has openly admitted to being influenced by, and many early recordings strongly reflect this. Open, To Love is now considered one of the most influential jazz solo piano recordings of all time, and bears a lot stronger resemblance to Jarrett's later solo efforts than Facing You. Perhaps the influence was mutual?

All in all, Facing You's value comes mainly as a portrait of an artist as a young man and as a vantage point from which to reflect upon Jarrett's later and more substantial solo works.

Rating: 6/10

Standout tracks: "Lalene", "Ritooria"