Some very good and some a little raw acting pieces comprises the double album "Tribute" from a concert of the trio in Cologne in October 1989. The concept of the album to devote, individual standards-interpretations each a certain jazz great (as Jim Hall, Bill Evans , Miles Davis or other) is quite nice, but musically rather inconsequential. What's often criticize with live recordings of the trio that namely Gary Peacocks bass is pushed far into the background, does not apply to "Tribute", on the contrary: The bass is very present, not only in solos, and contributes more to the overall sound in than on other albums. The disc is a little hard to turn: Both the opening track "Lover Man" and the following "I Hear A Rhapsody" act a little bumpy and uncouth. It seems that the trio had at the beginning of the concert is not so found throughout. "Little Girl Blue" is the first of a series of certainly worth listening to slow, ballad-like pieces on "Tribute", in addition to "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" and "Ballad Of The Sad Young Men". Jarrett's piano and DeJohnette's broom harmonize pretty together. "Solar" by Miles Davis, one of the favorite numbers of Jarrett is, on the other hand played in a slightly non-circular, provided with a not quite as convincing drum solo version. Stark, however, the transition from "Solar" in the 14-minute, driving, vamp-like title "Sun Prayer", an original composition Jarrett. This is one of the strongest moments in "Tribute". On the second CD that is the extremely lively intro of "All The Things You Are" (which after this intro somewhat "melts") as well as the strong final number "U Dance", again an original composition of the Master with catchy theme and a groovy rhythm. It therefore can be found quite fantastic passages in "Tribute", but unfortunately also some half-baked. Overall, a good four Sterner!
