Keith Jarrett: The Old Country

MUSIC
Editor
Dec 17, 2025

The Deer Head Inn is situated the Delaware Water Gap close to the border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey and seems an unlikely place to find a famous jazz venue, it wouldn’t be so well known if it weren’t for a Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock and Paul Motian performance in 1992. It was the first place where Jarrett played his first gig as a leader in 1961 at the unlikely age of 16, such is the way of the prodigal. At the Deer Head Inn was up until now the only performance released by this particular trio, and according to Jarrett “Not only had I not played piano at the Deer Head for 30 years, but I hadn’t played with Paul Motian for 16 years. So, it was like a reunion and a jam session at the same time”.

In this era, the majority of Jarrett’s performances were with the so-called Standards trio with Gary Peacock on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums. Still, for reasons unmentioned, Paul Motian stood in on this occasion. Motian, you may recall, played with Bill Evans’ most celebrated trio alongside Scott LaFaro and was in Jarrett’s American quartet with Dewey Redman. Motian brings a different flavour to the table, which must, in part, be why this was such a successful date.

The Old Country – More from the Deer Head Inn is, as the title suggests, a second volume of performances from this September 1992 date and takes its title from a rarely heard Nat Adderley tune. All the titles on this release are standards, albeit some are more familiar than others; it’s not hard to hear why the set opens with Cole Porter’s ‘Everything I Love’. The playing is inspired in its verve, and the musicians are clearly having a whale of a time. Not least Jarrett, who soon lets rip with brilliant improvisation that is full of joy. The energy and excitement are infectious, and you can’t help but be carried away.

Jule Styne’s ‘I Fall in Love Too Easily’ follows with a beautiful solo piano intro that brings intimacy to the fore; it’s interesting to contrast this sound with that on the recent Tord Gustavsen Trio release Seeing, which is naturally a much more pristine studio recording. Yet, the quiet playing here is somehow enhanced by its live nature, which gives it more poignancy and charm.

Monk’s trademark tune ‘Straight No Chaser’ follows with high energy and a great live sound that can’t quite disguise Jarrett’s ‘yodelling’, he clearly can’t stop himself from joining in when a tune is swinging so fluently. Once again, he illustrates the piece precisely before following his heart and digging deep into the groove. Unlike some of the more navel-gazing players, Jarrett takes the listener with him, and soon the ‘vocals’ become irrelevant because the spirit of the piece is so well communicated. There is a bass solo on this number, and thanks to Peacock’s skill and the positivity radiated throughout the piece, it fits right in.

‘All of You’ is another Cole Porter number, which has a gentler feel and a sweetness that suits the title. It’s a piece that could all too easily become schmaltzy, but this trio stay on the right side of the divide and reveals its inner soul. The title track is a clear standout among a robust selection of eight pieces. It features some beautiful piano and fabulous accompaniment, but it’s the quiet middle eight that really grabs you.

‘Golden Earrings’ is a down-tempo tune where there’s space for the atmosphere in the room to reinforce the live feel and likewise to hear the nuances of Peacock’s double bass playing. It’s one of those tracks that makes you appreciate just how good these musicians are at listening to one another. There is a rare synergy, yet the rhythm players here were relatively unknown to each other. This tune draws you into its intricacies rather than having your feet dancing, and this makes for a good contrast to the earlier numbers.

The Old Country – More from the Deer Head Inn is an excellent performance, superbly captured and sounding remarkably fresh considering its vintage. Jarrett is clearly in his element and sharing the love with both his bandmates and the small audience. It’s not hard to hear why the venue was so full and that people were standing outside the building to get an aural glimpse of greatness in action.

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