Keith Jarrett's Hymns and Spheres Finally Reissued in Full

[Paul of London]

After having had given us, for no apparent reason, an extremely abbreviated version, it looks like ECM has finally decided to reissue on CD all of Keith Jarrett's Hymns and Spheres. It's been advertised on several websites, including Spin CDs, for release in a couple of day's time.

I've been looking forward for this album to be reissued in full, as I found that these pipe organ improvisations to be some of the most remarkable music I've ever heard.

[The elephant shrew]

the release date of "Hymns - Spheres" has now been put back until 14 January.

[jkelman]

Originally Posted by Paul of London

After having had given us, for no apparent reason, an extremely abbreviated version, it looks like ECM has finally decided to reissue on CD all of Keith Jarrett's Hymns and Spheres. It's been advertised on several websites, including Spin CDs, for release in a couple of day's time.

The reason was clear: like some other titles, they wanted to trim it down to a single cd as they didn't feel they could justify the cost of a double-disc set at a time when they were much more expensive. Now, with that edition OOP and the cost of double-disc sets more reasonable both to sell and to manufacture, they're righting a few wrongs.

Let's not forget Metheny's 80/81, Rypdal's Odyssey, Corea&Burton's live set were all released as single-disc editions initially.

Originally Posted by Paul of London

I've been looking forward for this album to be reissued in full, as I found that these pipe organ improvisations to be some of the most remarkable music I've ever heard.

Like you, I'm very happy about this, but we do have to remember that when ECM moved to CD, they had to make some business decisions about titles they felt they could sell..and Hymns/Spheres was not one of Jarrett's more popular titles.

[JETman]

Originally Posted by jkelman

The reason was clear: like some other titles, they wanted to trim it down to a single cd as they didn't feel they could justify the cost of a double-disc set at a time when they were much more expensive. Now, with that edition OOP and the cost of double-disc sets more reasonable both to sell and to manufacture, they're righting a few wrongs.

Let's not forget Metheny's 80/81, Rypdal's Odyssey, Corea&Burton's live set were all released as single-disc editions initially.


Like you, I'm very happy about this, but we do have to remember that when ECM moved to CD, they had to make some business decisions about titles they felt they could sell..and Hymns/Spheres was not one of Jarrett's more popular titles.

I have a 2 disc version of 80/81 from the early 90s (fatboy case). Was not aware it was ever released as a single disc.

[jkelman]

Originally Posted by JETman

I have a 2 disc version of 80/81 from the early 90s (fatboy case). Was not aware it was ever released as a single disc.

That came later (I have it too); first, a single disc with two tracks omitted. But that one they realized would sell as a two-cd set, given Metheny's popularity and the success of this disc.

Hymns/Spheres, not so much

[brijazz123]

Originally Posted by jkelman

The reason was clear: like some other titles, they wanted to trim it down to a single cd as they didn't feel they could justify the cost of a double-disc set at a time when they were much more expensive.

You have to admit this was one of the strangest and butchered of the trimmed down titles. It's only got four tracks and about 40 minutes of music on it! I suppose this was done for some kind of artistic reason, but seems like a dubious decision to have lopped off so much. Oh well, rectified at last.

[jkelman]

Originally Posted by brijazz123

You have to admit this was one of the strangest and butchered of the trimmed down titles. It's only got four tracks and about 40 minutes of music on it! I suppose this was done for some kind of artist reason, but seems like a dubious decision to have lopped off so much. Oh well, rectified at last.

True..but I suspect (without actually knowing) that you are absolutely correct when you say:

...some kind of artist reason...

[Music997]

This is great. When I heard it the first time, it was awesome.

Glad to see this is going to happen.

[Paul of London]

I've just been listening to this re-release, and have submitted this following review to Amazon, as I am sadly disappointed with the production.

++++++++++++++++

It is very good that ECM has finally re-released in full Keith Jarrett's pipe-organ improvisations. The music is some of the most remarkable I have ever heard, and for me it is certainly one of Jarrett's most inspired works.

However, something has gone very wrong with the production. For a start, the recording level is incredibly low, and, worse, even when the volume of my amplifier is turned way up, much higher than with any other CD I have ever played, the music sounds peculiarly boxed-in, deadened, for want of a better description. The music is brilliant, worthy of five stars; but the production has made me reduce it to three stars.

Perhaps my memory is at fault, but I'm sure that the LPs of this release that I used to own gave a much deeper and wider sound than this. ECM is noted for its clear sounding productions. What on earth has happened here?

[JETman]

Originally Posted by Paul of London

I've just been listening to this re-release, and have submitted this following review to Amazon, as I am sadly disappointed with the production.

++++++++++++++++

It is very good that ECM has finally re-released in full Keith Jarrett's pipe-organ improvisations. The music is some of the most remarkable I have ever heard, and for me it is certainly one of Jarrett's most inspired works.

However, something has gone very wrong with the production. For a start, the recording level is incredibly low, and, worse, even when the volume of my amplifier is turned way up, much higher than with any other CD I have ever played, the music sounds peculiarly boxed-in, deadened, for want of a better description. The music is brilliant, worthy of five stars; but the production has made me reduce it to three stars.

Perhaps my memory is at fault, but I'm sure that the LPs of this release that I used to own gave a much deeper and wider sound than this. ECM is noted for its clear sounding productions. What on earth has happened here?

Is it possible you could have gotten a defective copy? No way for anyone in the States to confirm since it hasn't been released here yet. I believe it's coming out here this Tuesday.

Not sure I'll pick this up. I listened to the single disc version exactly once before filing it away on the shelves forever. I'll have to take another listen before deciding, I guess.

[jkelman]

I sure didn't notice any sound issues. Quiet I can get because ECM does not go for the "loud is better" mastering that so many do. But boxed in and deadened? Sounded full and rich to me....

Review coming this Thursday.
Best!
John
PS: The full version makes a lot more sense than the truncated one, which grabbed four disconnected pieces.

[brijazz123]

I noticed this is now on HDTRACKS as well, in high rez (96/24) for anyone into that.

The comments on audio quality of the CD above are a bit worrisome, but seem completely atypical of ECM.