“The Melody at Night, with You” by Keith Jarrett is one of the most phenomenal jazz albums of its time. It contains songs that leave a lasting impression in the hearts of its listeners. The tunes are heavenly, exquisite, and disarming.
You will get a melancholic tingling as the music pierces your soul. The man behind this work of art, American pianist Kieth Jarrett, is most popularly known for his record-breaking Köln Concert recording, which is still one of the best-selling piano recordings ever.
His 1999 “The Melody At Night, With You” opened new frontiers of success for him. Read on and learn everything you need to know about the album.
The Inspiration Behind the Album
Keith Jarrett is a renowned and talented Jazz pianist with a reputation as notable as John Coltrane. He has played with George Benson, Charlie Haden, Miles Davis, and Dewey Redman. Before the composition and launch of “The Melody at Night, with You,” Jarrett had fibromyalgia.
This medical condition affected his nervous system, leaving him with chronic tiredness. He could not play the piano or record any music for a while.
In December 1997, his love for his then-wife, Rose Anne, inspired him to record “The Melody at Night, with You.” From December 1997 to 1998, he recorded the album in his New Jersey home studio and released it on ECM in October 1999.
Compared to his previous releases, “The Melody at Night, with You” featured clear and direct interpretations of ballads.
Overview of the Songs in the Album and its Production
- My Wild Irish Rose
- Blame It on My Youth/Meditation
- Something to Remember You By
- Be My Love
- Shenandoah
- I Loves You Porgy
- I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good
- Don’t Ever Leave Me
- Someone to Watch Over Me
- I’m Through With Love
Three songs that stood out on the album are “I Loves You, Porgy,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” and “Blame It on My Youth.” These songs took their inspiration from operas and jazz ballads written in the 1920s and 1930s. They portrayed emotional honesty, resilience, healing power, and a deep level of intimacy.
Of course, Keith Jarrett did not record and release the album alone. He had help from some technical personnel, which included:
- Daniela Nowitzki (cover photographer)
- Manfred Eicher (producer)
- Rose Anne Jarrett (liner photographer)
- Sascha Kleis (designer)
Public Reception of the Album
“The Melody at Night, with You” received positive and negative reviews from its listeners. Nevertheless, this album was one of the most popular jazz albums of the early 21st century.
Some fans loved the album’s passion, while others criticized its plainness. “I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good” received a nomination in the 2001 Grammy Award ceremony.
The characters behind “The Penguin Guide to Jazz” rated the album four stars out of 4, and “Entertainment Weekly” gave it an excellent rating. On the flip side, the AllMusic platform gave it 2.5 stars out of 5.
Final Thoughts
“The Melody at Night, with You” is more than an album in the world of jazz; it is a deep dive into a man’s emotional sojourn. This set of tracks from Keith Jarrett further confirms the power of music as a healing tool. Every strike on the piano depicts a musician in harmony with his piano, pushing through his adversity. If you want a touch of newness in your soul, listen to “The Melody at Night, with You.”.