Verve Last Dance (180g Vinyl) [VINYL]

Product Description 'Last Dance', the final duo album by Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden, is released on audiophile 180g vinyl, three months after the CD version. The title of the album - and also that of its ultimate track - regrettably rings true as the legendary bassist Charlie Haden died on 11 July 2014. Recorded at Keith Jarrett's home studio during the same sessions that produced the best-selling 'Jasmine', released in 2010, it has turned out to be the last time these great artists made music together. With 'Last Dance', Jarrett and Haden broadened the scope of their duo project to showcase jazz classics like Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight" and Bud Powell's sprightly "Dance Of The Infidels". Love songs, however, are to the fore, with tender versions of "My Old Flame", "My Ship", "It Might As Well Be Spring", "Everything Happens To Me", and "Every Time We Say Goodbye" as well as alternate takes of "Where Can I Go Without You" and "Goodbye", every bit as touching as their renditions on 'Jasmine'. "When we play together it's like two people singing", said Keith Jarrett of his reunion with Haden. The intentions of the song are honoured, the shades of meaning in a melody or a lyric explored instrumentally. As Charlie Haden put it, "Keith really listens, and I listen. That's the secret. It's about listening." The music of Last Dance was recorded at Keith Jarrett's home studio. Personnel: Keith Jarrett (piano), Charlie Haden (double bass) Press reactions to Jasmine: "As a concept, these piano-and-bass explorations of eight classic American songs could not be simpler, but the poise and subtlety of both thought and execution make it a spell-binding experience." - Dave Gelly, The Observer "An intimate, home-studio recording of love songs - deep, almost painfully heartfelt - and so good it will be sure to top most best-of-lists...If you buy only one album this year..." - Phil Johnson, Independent on Sunday "A sublime collaboration." - Charles Waring, Record Collector Review (4 stars) Jarrett's timing and sense of space, plus Haden's spontaneous countermelodies, continue to provide low-lit delights...It's just as good as Jasmine, and hopefully not a Last Dance for this partnership. --The Guardian, (John Fordham), June 13, 2014 (4 stars) Has the same fresh, newly minted feel that made Jasmine so compelling - but with a slight difference...here the performances seem inclined towards a looser, more spontaneous feel. --Jazzwise, (Stuart Nicholson), July 2014 (4 stars) Jarrett's piano and Haden's bass take an affectionate, inquisitive tour through a set of jazz classics and old ballads, revealing fresh beauties at every turn. --The Observer, (Dave Gelly), June 22, 2014 (5 stars) The duets never become formulaic since both musicians possess that key quality of being able to listener closely to one another and correspondingly play off one another. In general, the duets are surprisingly long in length with several over the nine minute mark, yet the test of genius is that the time flies by for the listener and that speaks volumes of the quality of music on display here. --UK Vibe, (Tim Stenhouse), June 28, 2014 (4 stars) Has the warmth and focus of two close friends reminiscing late in life. Haden, unhurried, harmonically precise and sounding gorgeous, is the perfect foil for Jarrett's fluency and mass of detail. --Financial Times, (Mike Hobart), June 28, 2014 There is a chemistry between the two players that seems to shed all tension, leaving simply effortless, relaxed music with all the freedom that brings. Jarrett can play chorus after chorus adding new insights on every cycle, bringing endless harmonic and melodic variation to tunes we all thought we knew so well; Haden brings that warmth and melodic directness so unmistakeable whether in support or leading in a solo. --The Jazz Breakfast, (Peter Bacon), June 21, 2014 An absolute gem!...a true meeting of equals who complement and support each other. Haden's choice of notes are sublime, blending with Jarrett's like the tonic does to the gin. --Bebop Spoken Here, (Lance Liddle), June 10, 2014 Jarrett seems energised (if that's the right word) by Haden's presence. He manages to wring something new out of a hoary old chestnut like Round Midnight and even uncovers a delicate lyricism in the banal, rinky tink melody of Everything Happens To Me. Similarly the luxurious swirl of My Romance (a Jarrett favourite) is luminously beautiful. --LondonJazzNews, (Peter Marsh), June 23, 2014 An absolute gem!...a true meeting of equals who complement and support each other. Haden's choice of notes are sublime, blending with Jarrett's like the tonic does to the gin. --Bebop Spoken Here, (Lance Liddle), June 10, 2014