Stylistic diversity

The first trio of Keith Jarrett with bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Paul Motian is a little less known than the other formations that allow the exceptional pianist has continuously written jazz history since the 1970s and continues to write. With the addition of saxophonist Dewey Redman Trio Jarrett became the first American Quartet, which set the modern jazz to 1976 several milestones. "Somewhere Before" is a contrast. Of the lesser-known three albums the trio and the only (official) live recording It stands out in contrast to the debut album "Life Between The Exit Signs" by a greater musical maturity and a wider variety of styles from. Two concerts in late August 1968 Shelly's Manne-Hole, a small jazz club in Hollywood, served the album as a basis - Nine titles were selected for "Somewhere Before", including seven compositions of Keith Jarrett.
The opener is a grandiose interpretation of Bob Dylan number, "My Back Pages", a piece that counted at the time the firm live repertoire of Jarrett. Overall, many different styles rows in the titles together: In addition to the bluesy title track "Somewhere Before" can be heard two ragtime numbers (for "Old Rag" you will feel transported back to a western saloon where a piano man on a detuned piano the soul from the body strums - very apart);! "Pretty Ballad", "A Moment For Tears" and "Dedicated To You" are slow, worn, more lyrical pieces, while "Moving Soon" extremely "free" and plenty of expressionistic comes (not convincing, in my opinion). "Pout's Over (And The Day's Not Through)" after all, is a melodic, groovy track, despite a slightly rippling middle part.
"Somewhere Before" is one of the most successful albums of the early works of Keith Jarrett, even if the class of the later solo work is not reached.