Rating: 
Summary: almost 20 years of great music
Review: In January of 1983, the month I was born, Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, and Jack DeJohnette stepped into a Manhattan studio to record two albums of "standards." For these three musicians, so associated with the Modern Creative and Free movements in jazz, it was a return to the most basic jazz material for them. Yet, they didn't put the normal jazz spin on this classic stuff, but added their own perspective to the mix. Almost 20 years later, here they are, still touring (though not as much as they used to) and still creating fresh music. This awesome concert from 1993 must still rank at the top of their concerts in terms of vitality, creative spark, energy, and interplay. I know Peacock/DeJohnette don't "hate" Jarrett's "vocalizing," as a reviewer so tastelessly assumes below. If one hated playing with another, he wouldn't do it for nigh on 20 years. Other DVDs of this group can be found as Japanese imports, including "Standards," "Standards II," and the "Tokyo Concert" from 1996, most of which is memorialized on an ECM recording of the same name (DVD has the entire concert, however). This is probably the best of the DVDs by this group, but they are all worthy. This is, without a doubt, the best working band music has seen since 1983. No one can top them.
Rating:
Summary: almost 20 years of great music
Review: In January of 1983, the month I was born, Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, and Jack DeJohnette stepped into a Manhattan studio to record two albums of "standards." For these three musicians, so associated with the Modern Creative and Free movements in jazz, it was a return to the most basic jazz material for them. Yet, they didn't put the normal jazz spin on this classic stuff, but added their own perspective to the mix. Almost 20 years later, here they are, still touring (though not as much as they used to) and still creating fresh music. This awesome concert from 1993 must still rank at the top of their concerts in terms of vitality, creative spark, energy, and interplay. I know Peacock/DeJohnette don't "hate" Jarrett's "vocalizing," as a reviewer so tastelessly assumes below. If one hated playing with another, he wouldn't do it for nigh on 20 years. Other DVDs of this group can be found as Japanese imports, including "Standards," "Standards II," and the "Tokyo Concert" from 1996, most of which is memorialized on an ECM recording of the same name (DVD has the entire concert, however). This is probably the best of the DVDs by this group, but they are all worthy. This is, without a doubt, the best working band music has seen since 1983. No one can top them.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Opportunity
Review: Keith Jarrett Trio Live at Open Theater East is the next best thing to being there. The DVD release features an uncompressed PCM stereo soundtrack (in addition to the standard Dolby 5.1 surround) that is as crisp and clean as it gets. This is one of the best sounding DVD concert releases I have heard.The performance is stellar. Peacock, in particular, really shows how sympatico he is with Jarrett and DeJohnette, eliciting lots of smiles (and Jarrett's signature groans and hollers) from both. It's a very well put-together program, with the highlights being Solar, Oleo and Keith Jarrett's original, The Cure. Presented with no interruptions, it's pretty much like being there. The filming is simple, with good coverage of all trio members, without some of the quick cuts that I find irritating in some concert recordings. If you are a player, you'll get plenty of chances to watch the musician who interests you, without the others being sacrificed. Well worth the buy.
Rating:
Summary: magical; a keeper
Review: my first review on amazon, so here goes nothing. Keith unfortunately was in great *vocalizing* form, but the music is simply brilliant. the trio really burns on "Solar" and "Oleo", while "I Fall in Love Too Easily" gets a quiet, introspective reading with almost no humming! when Keith inserts a quote from "I Love You Porgy" into his solo on "I Thought About You," the last piece played, and the camera catches Jack grinning, it's priceless, like they say in those Visa commercials.
Rating: 
Summary: Ultimately Annoying
Review: Okay, first of all, I'll agree with the other reviewers: the musicianship of these three men is astounding, their musical choices interesting, the technical aspects of this recording exceptional. So why the two-star review? The annoying habits of one Keith Jarrett. The man makes noises that distract and detract from the performance. Imagine a Warner Brothers cartoon bee humming and buzzing through his nose for the whole concert - That's Jarrett. I'll be the first to admit that I found (find?) Glenn Gould's humming on all of his recordings more than a little charming. But Gould was always subtle, and in key - something that Jarrett cannot manage. I do agree with the other reviewers regarding the positive qualities. I do, however question their hearing (or systems) if they are not distracted by Jarrett's noise-making. it's as if one were invited to watch a master chef at work, only to see him pick his nose during the food's preparation.
Rating:
Summary: Zeppelin Bob is not a Keith fan...
Review: Okay, I think all KJ fans (at least those worth their salt) have already gotten to the point where the moaning and gesticulations no longer detract from the music. There might have been like 2 or 3 days in there (before the light of divine intervention shone down upon me from musical heaven) where I thought the sounds were strange, but that's it. Bottom line, the concert is AMAZING, and if you can't get past the intermittent noises, you ain't a fan of Keith Jarrett
Rating:
Summary: Ultimately Annoying
Review: Okay. Let me get the contradiction started. I love the artists, the selections are interesting, and the performances top-notch. So why am I giving the DVD two stars? Keith Jarrett's annoying habits. Jarrett accompanies his own piano-playing by humming and snorting his improvisations. Imagine a Warner Brothers cartoon version of a bee humming a song, and you get the idea. I'll be the first to admit that I found (find?)the late Glenn Gould's audible humming on all his recordings more than a little charming. But Glenn was more subtle - and in key, something Jarrett cannot quite accomplish. All the positive things the other reviewers have said are on the money. There is a lot that is good about this performance/DVD. But I question whether their hearing (or system) is up to par if they can ignore this serious shortcoming. I've tried several times since I received my copy in the mail to sit down and enjoy this recording. But this annoyance is too much to bear.
Rating:
Summary: my 2 cents
Review: The musicianship and the quality of the filming and audio recording are simply outstanding, and it seems there is general agreement on this. The controversy concerns Mr. Jarrett's vocalizations. Here's my 2 cents: I've been a Jarrett fan since the early 70's, own most of his recordings, and have seen him live both solo and with the trio numerous times, so I am very familiar with his vocalizations. I break them into two categories - hoops/hollers/moans/groans and "singing" along with the melody he is playing. The hoops/hollers/moans/groans don't bother me at all...it simply shows how into the music he is, and for me it doesn't detract from the music. The "singing", as others have stated, you can learn to ignore. And frankly, in most of the recordings that I am familiar with, Mr. Jarrett's vocalizations are low enough in the mix to allow one to ignore them. However, I must admit that with this DVD, the vocalizations are exceptionally loud (perhaps because of the excellent recording quality), grossly off and out of tune (more so than on any other recording that I own), and frankly on some pieces incredibly, and sadly, distracting. Should you buy it? Folks, there are moments of sheer brilliance on this recording, and for the music sans vocalizations, this is a 5 star recording. I have played the DVD constantly since purchasing it, as I just love these guys. But in my view, the vocalizations are much more pronounced and annoying on this DVD that on the other Jarrett DVDs. Thus, I rate this DVD 4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: my 2 cents
Review: The musicianship and the quality of the filming and audio recording are simply outstanding, and it seems there is general agreement on this. The controversy concerns Mr. Jarrett's vocalizations. Here's my 2 cents: I've been a Jarrett fan since the early 70's, own most of his recordings, and have seen him live both solo and with the trio numerous times, so I am very familiar with his vocalizations. I break them into two categories - hoops/hollers/moans/groans and "singing" along with the melody he is playing. The hoops/hollers/moans/groans don't bother me at all...it simply shows how into the music he is, and for me it doesn't detract from the music. The "singing", as others have stated, you can learn to ignore. And frankly, in most of the recordings that I am familiar with, Mr. Jarrett's vocalizations are low enough in the mix to allow one to ignore them. However, I must admit that with this DVD, the vocalizations are exceptionally loud (perhaps because of the excellent recording quality), grossly off and out of tune (more so than on any other recording that I own), and frankly on some pieces incredibly, and sadly, distracting. Should you buy it? Folks, there are moments of sheer brilliance on this recording, and for the music sans vocalizations, this is a 5 star recording. I have played the DVD constantly since purchasing it, as I just love these guys. But in my view, the vocalizations are much more pronounced and annoying on this DVD that on the other Jarrett DVDs. Thus, I rate this DVD 4 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Concert distractions !
Review: The sound of this DVD is excellent ! The picture quality is excellent. The camera work is very good. But if I had to rate the musical performance I would say it is average. That's why I feel it deserves a three star rating. Nothing more(or nothing less) . Is it worth purchasing ? I would say so if you really enjoy straight ahead jazz.
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