Once Keith Jarrett gets into a concept, he likes to keep those tapes rolling. This two-disc live outpouring from a Standards Trio gig at Munich's Philharmonic Hall was the biggest offering from this group up to that time (it wouldn't hold that distinction for long) -- and once again, Jarrett treats his brace of pop and jazz standards with unpredictable, often eloquently melodic and structural originality. To cite a pair of highlights: "Autumn Leaves" always seems to bring out an endless flow of invention from Jarrett, and "The Song Is You" gets off to a rollicking start and maintains a nearly relentless energy level for 17 minutes, closing with a Spanish vamp. Again, the rapport with his onetime jazz-rock associate, drummer Jack DeJohnette, and bassist Gary Peacock is total; DeJohnette's mastery of shifting cymbal patterns while maintaining the pulse acts on the trio like a loose tether made of carbon steel. There is a considerable amount of Jarrett vocalizing, though; sometimes he sounds like a tortured animal. - Richard S. Ginell
Tracks
Disc-1
1. My Funny Valentine (Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers)
2. Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma/Johnny Mercer/Jacques Prévert)
3. When I Fall in Love (Edward Heyman/Victor Young)
4. The Song Is You (Oscar Hammerstein II/Jerome Kern)
Disc-2
1. Come Rain or Come Shine (Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer)
2. Late Lament (Paul Desmond)
3. You and the Night and the Music/Extension
4. Intro/Someday My Prince Will Come (Frank Churchill/Keith Jarrett/Larry Morey)
5. Billie's Bounce (Charlie Parker)
6. I Remember Clifford (Benny Golson)
KEITH JARRETT piano
GARY PEACOCK bass
JACK DeJOHNETTE drums
Recorded live, July 13, 1986 at Philharmonic Hall, Munich
ECM Records - ECM 1360/61