Keith Jarrett's SOMEWHERE

Listening to Jazz Pianist Keith Jarrett' interview on npr news. He had been interviewed on the launch of his album of six standards called somewhere which was recorded in 2009 when he performed live in Switzerland along with the bassist Gary Peacock and the drummer Jack Dejohnette. After four long years of the live show they revisited the track and launched as an album.

Reason being the terrible hall, ineffective in fact horrible sound arrangement and some other loads of unpleasant experiences, they kept on delaying. The three had a disastrous experience while performing live. They realized  that the hall was too congested that Keith's wife viewed the show standing behind the spotlight, whereas Gary was not happy with the sound. Ultimately they all were vexed with the situation, especially Gary being the most adamant and particular in having perfect circumstances, was in hell. Mostly, Jarrett says the hardest part was convincing Peacock that the recording was good.

 One great fact is discovered through Keith's statement  when he tells, "I tried not to manipulate anything,  I like the raw tapes. I like it just as it's handed to me the night that it happens. I want the imperfections to remain because, to tell the truth, the way I play in a given space is because of the space. So if we start to change that and I listen to it, then I don't even like it at all." The fact is music is all about perceptions. On one hand, somewhere it doesn't matter in what situation you are, you just need to relish playing music accommodating with the different external stimulus, which is true. On the other hand, it is pretty not possible to enjoy performing when you are already upset with the arrangements, because music is all about feel good factor and one cannot make the audience feel good when he himself is in a bad shape, which is equally true. So basically there is no criteria for good or bad especially in arts.

This is the reason I liked the statement by Keith, "I want the imperfections to remain." Imperfections should exist to keep us grounded and to make us realize that we need to go for further improvements in that field as well as in our attitude.