Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette

With the notable exception of Charo, mellowness generally comes with age. This adage helps explain why the latest CDs by Jarrett, Peacock and DeJohnette, who played with Miles Davis during his most electric period, and Haden, the bassist on Ornette Coleman's early skronkfests, walk on the quiet side. Yet the...

By Michael Roberts

October 14, 2004

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With the notable exception of Charo, mellowness generally comes with age. This adage helps explain why the latest CDs by Jarrett, Peacock and DeJohnette, who played with Miles Davis during his most electric period, and Haden, the bassist on Ornette Coleman's early skronkfests, walk on the quiet side. Yet the subtle complexity of their artistry reveals a musical intelligence that's as fierce as ever.

Although The Out-of-Towners is dominated by standards such as "It's All in the Game," the title trio is hardly bound by tradition. For proof, check the Jarrett-penned title cut, which swings through a plethora of post-bop moods over the course of nearly twenty minutes. Haden, for his part, uses a lithe ten-piece band anchored by pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba to survey the music of Mexico. Tunes such as "De Siempre (Forever)" display a lush, semi-orchestral melancholy that's simultaneously contemporary and timeless.

The listening on these discs isn't as easy as it seems at first blush. And they're all the better for it.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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