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The second complete show to be issued from Keith Jarrett’s 2016 European tour - following on from the widely-acclaimed concert released as Munich 2016 - this double album documents the pianist’s solo performance at the Bela Bartok National Concert Hall in Budapest.
This version is on two LPs. Jarrett, whose family roots reach back to Hungary, viewed the Budapest concert as akin to a homecoming, and the context in- spired much creative improvisation.
Where Jarrett’s early solo concerts shaped a large arc of music over the course of an evening, the later concerts have generated suite-like structures, com- prised of independent “movements”, each of them a marvel of spontaneous resourcefulness.
Creative energy is applied also to familiar songs given as encores, “It’s A Lonesome Old Town” and “Answer Me”, transformed in the Budapest concert.
“I find it incredible that after all these years, and having listened to and enjoyed so many live recordings, that I can listen to a new release by the pianist and still be overcome with amazement. Budapest Concert is as inspirational as any of his solo outings, still sounding as fresh and spontaneous as if I had just been introduced to his music for the first time. There’s an energy, a power, a life-force that emanates out from the music itself, at times intensely beautiful, at times insanely dramatic, but always completely and genuinely incomparable.”
***** UK Vibe
“Challenging free jazz is gradually modified with songbook and stride influences and builds up to boogie-woogie...As usual with a Jarrett concert- and this is one of his best- the suggestion of something important being created masks its accessibility. Fun with audience flattery on top.”- **** The Times
“He returns with a delicate ballad/lullaby full of poise and grace; Part VI is a moment of magic- a shot of contrapuntal boogie-swing...fiendishly clever and joyous...His encores are a radiant Answer Me, My Love and a gorgeously mel- ancholic It’s a Lonesome Old Town that takes its time to build to an operatic intensity.”- LondonJazzNews
“Budapest Concert (ECM) spans the then 71-year-old’s spontaneous prowess from stalkingly dissonant improv to wry boogying with a headlong drive worthy of the best of his 21st century solo shows.”- The Guardian
Tracklist
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
Part VII
Part VIII
Part IX
Part X
Part XI
Part XII - Blues
It’s A Lonesome Old Town
Answer Me