Staircase (album)

Staircase is the fourth solo piano album released on ECM by jazz pianist Keith Jarrett. It features Jarrett performing four solo piano "suites" recorded in the studio in May 1976.[1]

Staircase
Studio album by
Keith Jarrett
Released1977, May [1]
Recorded1976, May
StudioDavout Studios, Paris (France)
Genresolo piano improvisations
Length74:27
LabelECM Records
[ECM 1090/91]
ProducerManfred Eicher
Keith Jarrett chronology
The Survivors' Suite
(1976)		 Staircase
(1977)		 Eyes of the Heart
(1976)
Keith Jarrett solo piano chronology
The Köln Concert
(1974)		 Staircase
(1976)		 Sun Bear Concerts
(1976)

Jarrett and producer Manfred Eicher had arrived at Studio Davout in Paris to record a soundtrack to Michèle Rosier's film Mon cœur est rouge (Paint My Heart Red).[2] Finishing early with several hours of studio time left and impressed by the quality of the studio's piano, they spontaneously decided to record this album.[3]

Reception

The Allmusic review by Richard S. Ginell awarded the album 4 stars, stating, "One can always admire Jarrett's lovely tone and flexible touch, yet when he gets stuck for ideas, the repetitions finally begin to grate. Maybe he really needs the stimulus of a live audience in order to get the creative and rhythmic juices flowing when flying solo.".[4]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[4]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz[5]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide[6]

Track listing
All compositions by Keith Jarrett

Staircase:

  1. "Part 1" - 6:57
  2. "Part 2" - 7:58
  3. "Part 3" - 1:25

Hourglass:

  1. "Part 1" - 4:42
  2. "Part 2" - 14:03

Sundial:

  1. "Part 1" - 8:57
  2. "Part 2" - 4:55
  3. "Part 3" - 6:27

Sand:

  1. "Part 1" - 6:54
  2. "Part 2" - 8:48
  3. "Part 3" - 3:21

Personnel

Technical Personnel
  • Roger Roche - Recording Engineer
  • Franco Fontana/IKS s.p.a., Modena - Photography
  • Barbara Wojirsch - Cover Design and Layout
  • Manfred Eicher - Production

References
  1. ECM Records Keith Jarrett: Staircase accessed May 2020
  2. Mon cœur est rouge at Internet Movie Database accessed March 28, 2016
  3. Ian Carr, Keith Jarrett: The Man and His Music page 93
  4. Ginell, R. Allmusic Review accessed September 16, 2011
  5. Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 768. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
  6. Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. pp. 112. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
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