Steve Wyzard A CRYING SHAME (LITERALLY)

This is a good Gary Peacock album, but not a great album generally speaking. After the opening track, the excellent "Vignette", all of the others are buried beneath Keith Jarrett's moaning and screeching. And I don't mean for short periods or occasional intervals but for LONG stretches of time. Jarrett's vocalizations appear on most of his albums, but this is his only ECM recording I've heard where it becomes a major distraction. Whenever there is any discussion about this album, EVERYBODY mentions the unintentional histrionics, unless they pre-determine to not mention it out of respect for Jarrett.

It's really too bad that Gary Peacock's performances and compositions are not given their due, because with exception of the experimental "Tone Field", this would be a great jazz piano trio album. Peacock's playing on "Trilogy II" is especially outstanding. Jack DeJohnette plays with his usual brilliance, although from time to time he seems perplexed by the discordant directions the material sometimes takes. The group's headlong rush to the finish of "Trilogy III" is a true highlight on an album that doesn't provide as many as the all-star line-up might promise. This trio would go on to perform mostly standards for 30+ years, so to hear them play newly-composed material is greatly appreciated. Be forewarned about Jarrett's singing, however.

snobb Acoustic bassist Gary Peacock's "Tales Of Another" album is significant in many senses. First of all, it's his first ever album as leader released in Western world(two previous Peacock releases come from Japan where they were recorded with local artists in early 70s). Than,it is first ever recorded evidence of his trio with pianist Keith Jarrett and drummer Jack DeJohnette (what later will become known as "Jarrett Standards trio" - his second best band after "American quartet").

"Tales Of Another" is Peacock's debut on ECM, the beginning of his long lasting collaboration with world's most prestigious jazz label and one of representative example of what is known as legendary "ECM sound".

Six Peacock originals are played by trio of equal greats,each has enough space and freedom for his improvisations. Peacock already played with DeJohnette and Jarrett before,and it's obvious how good communication have all three of them. Musically album contains characteristic for early ECM sophisticated mix of (still) groovy tuneful straight jazz,free improvisations and European chamber aesthetics. It doesn't sound as Jarrett American quartet raw recordings from early 70s, but has much more life and groove comparing with his European quartet music (and many other recordings of North European artists on ECM of that time). Peacock and DeJohnette are generally quite muscular rhythm section and Jarrett still doesn't sound as arrogant and formal as on series of his later albums(he "sings" a lot here though what can destroy good impression from this music for some his "singing" haters).

For Peacock,who didn't record lot as a leader,this album is probably one of his best works ever. For Jarrett-Peacock-DeJohnette trio it was a start of long-lasting successful career which still continues. ECM improved their once-found stylistic exclusivity exploring (and over-exploring) once-found formula for decades to come.For jazz fans interested in early (still advanced) label's music it is a good example that ECM hasn't always been the home of safest jazz in the world.