Artist: Keith Jarrett (European Quartet) Label: ECM Records Musicians: Keith Jarrett (piano), Jan Garbarek (saxophones), Palle Danielsson (bass), Jon Christensen (drums)
My Song is widely considered one of the supreme achievements of Jarrett's "European Quartet." Unlike his famous American Trio (with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette), this group focused on a distinct blend of Nordic folk influences, lyrical minimalism, and atmospheric improvisation.
Key Tracks:
Musically: An essential, 5-star ECM classic – warm, lyrical, and deeply atmospheric. One of the most approachable yet profound jazz albums of the 1970s.
As a 24/192 Download: Buy it if you are an audiophile with high-resolution playback gear and a love for transparent, unfiltered transfers of analog masters. Skip it if you listen casually on earbuds, car stereos, or standard Bluetooth speakers – the CD or even good MP3 will serve you just as well for musical enjoyment.
Final Score (Music + Audio): 4.5/5
Deducting half a star only because the 24/192 resolution is technically overkill for the source tape, but what’s there is beautifully rendered.
Recommended for: Jazz lovers, ECM collectors, audiophiles seeking a natural, non-hyped “master tape” sound.
The 2015 high-resolution remaster of Keith Jarrett's My Song in FLAC 24-bit/192kHz represents a pinnacle of the "ECM sound," offering listeners the most transparent window yet into one of the most beloved jazz recordings of the 1970s. Originally recorded in November 1977 at Talent Studio in Oslo, Norway, the album remains the definitive statement of Jarrett's "European Quartet". The Context: The European Quartet
While Keith Jarrett was concurrently leading his "American Quartet" (featuring Dewey Redman and Charlie Haden), he formed a contrasting ensemble with three Scandinavian masters that would become known as the European Quartet: Keith Jarrett: Piano and percussion. Jan Garbarek: Tenor and soprano saxophones. Palle Danielsson: Double bass. Jon Christensen: Drums.
My Song is their second studio outing, following 1974’s Belonging. It is widely considered their most rewarding collaboration, noted for its "sublime simplicity" and haunting melodic directness. Unlike the more restless or "swinging" nature of other Jarrett projects, My Song is defined by a relaxed, introspective mood that still carries a deep, underlying tension. The 2015 Remaster: FLAC 24-bit/192kHz
For audiophiles and jazz devotees, the 2015 remaster is significant for its technical fidelity. Keith Jarrett - My Song -2015- -FLAC 24-192-
Technical Quality: The 24-bit/192kHz FLAC format captures the extreme nuances of Jan Erik Kongshaug's original engineering. Kongshaug was a "recording magician" known for creating the pristine, "airy" space associated with the ECM Records aesthetic.
Listening Experience: Reviewers describe the sound as "astounding," making it difficult to believe the recording is nearly 50 years old. The high-resolution file allows for better separation between Danielsson's lyrical bass and Christensen's textured percussion, while Garbarek’s soprano saxophone on the title track exhibits a "transcendent," wrenching emotion. Track-by-Track Breakdown
Jarrett composed all six original tracks, which blend elements of jazz, European folk, gospel, and classical music.
Keith Jarrett's My Song – I Really Shouldn't Be Liking This Album
2015 high-resolution remaster of Keith Jarrett’s 1978 album
is widely regarded by audiophiles for its astounding clarity, often described as sounding much younger than its nearly 50-year-old origin. musicophilesblog.com The 2015 Remaster (FLAC 24-bit/192 kHz) Technical Quality:
The 24-bit/192 kHz FLAC release preserves the "tubey magical midrange" of the original analog recordings produced at Talent Studio in Oslo Audio Fidelity:
Critics note that this specific hi-res version offers a significantly greater dynamic range
and a more natural sound compared to compressed 16-bit/44.1 kHz CD versions. Engineering: The recording was originally engineered by Jan Erik Kongshaug
, often cited as a "recording magician" for his work with ECM Records. Musical Content and Context The Ensemble: This is the second album by Jarrett’s "European Quartet" Artist: Keith Jarrett (European Quartet) Label: ECM Records
, featuring Jan Garbarek (saxophones), Palle Danielsson (bass), and Jon Christensen (drums). Composition Style:
The album is characterized by a relaxed, introspective mood filled with "inner tension". It blends gospel-tinged lyricism (as seen in "Country") with more dissonant, rhythmic pieces like "Mandala". Key Tracks: "Questar":
A melodic opener that sets the tone for the quartet's synergy. "My Song":
The title track is noted for its "mournful but majestic" invocation and lyrical saxophone work by Garbarek. "The Journey Home":
A 10-minute closer that moves from short melodic bursts into a fluid Latin beat. Between Sound and Space: ECM Records and Beyond Critical Analysis Resources Structural Breakdown:
You can find formal musical analyses and transcriptions, such as the chord notations and structure of the title track on Historical Significance:
Some critics consider this the most rewarding collaboration between Jarrett and Garbarek, bridging the gap between his solo piano improvisations and standard jazz quartet formats. technical comparisons
between the 24-bit/96 kHz and 24-bit/192 kHz versions, or are you looking for a deeper musicological analysis of specific tracks?
The album "My Song" by Keith Jarrett , specifically the 2015 High-Resolution (FLAC 24-bit/192 kHz) reissue, represents a landmark high-fidelity release of one of jazz's most celebrated recordings. Originally released in June 1978 on the ECM Records label, it is the second studio effort by Jarrett’s renowned "European Quartet". Album Overview and Personnel
Recorded at Talent Studio in Oslo, Norway, in late 1977, the album features a lineup of world-class musicians often referred to as the "European Quartet": Keith Jarrett: Piano and percussion Jan Garbarek: Tenor and soprano saxophones Palle Danielsson: Double bass Jon Christensen: Drums Technical Details:
The production was helmed by ECM founder Manfred Eicher, with legendary recording engineer Jan Erik Kongshaug, whose work is widely praised for its clarity and spatial "magic". The 2015 High-Resolution Reissue
The 2015 remaster was released in FLAC 24-bit/192 kHz and 24-bit/96 kHz formats to provide audiophiles with a listening experience as close to the original studio master tapes as possible.
Keith Jarrett's My Song – I Really Shouldn't Be Liking This Album
Keith Jarrett - My Song (2015) - Hi-Res FLAC 24bit/192kHz
This album, "My Song", is a timeless jazz classic, re-released in 2015 with stunning high-resolution audio quality. Recorded in 1977, the album features Keith Jarrett, the renowned American jazz pianist and composer, performing with his esteemed trio consisting of Jan Garbarek on saxophone and flute, and Palle Danielsson on bass.
The music on "My Song" is characterized by Jarrett's lyrical and introspective playing style, which weaves a narrative that is both personal and universal. The album's title track, "My Song", is a beautiful, melancholic ballad that showcases Jarrett's mastery of melody and harmony.
The 2015 re-release of "My Song" on FLAC 24bit/192kHz offers an unparalleled listening experience, with crystal-clear sound and nuanced dynamics that transport listeners directly into the heart of the music. This high-resolution audio remastering brings out the intricate textures of Jarrett's piano playing, the soaring lines of Garbarek's saxophone, and the subtle underpinning of Danielsson's bass.
Tracklist:
Technical Details:
This re-release of "My Song" is a must-have for jazz enthusiasts and audiophiles alike, offering a deeply moving and sonically stunning listening experience that will leave listeners spellbound.
For fans of high-fidelity audio, the 24-192 version of My Song is significant for the following reasons: