Keith Jarrett - My Song -2015- -flac 24-192- File

Keith Jarrett’s "My Song" (2015 Remaster): A Deep Dive into the 24-Bit, 192kHz FLAC Experience

In the pantheon of modern jazz, few live recordings have achieved the ethereal balance of intimacy, lyricism, and telepathic interplay found on Keith Jarrett’s My Song. Released originally in 1978, the album marked the definitive arrival of Jarrett’s European Quartet featuring saxophonist Jan Garbarek, bassist Palle Danielsson, and drummer Jon Christensen. But for the digital audiophile, the 2015 reissue—specifically the FLAC 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution transfer—is not merely a listening session; it is an archeological excavation of a singular night in Oslo, Norway.

This article explores why the 2015 high-resolution remaster of My Song stands as a benchmark for ECM’s legendary engineering, what the 24-192 format reveals about the performance, and how to optimize your system for this specific master.

What the 24-192 FLAC Reveals (That Lower Res Hides)

Listening to a standard 16/44.1 FLAC of My Song is satisfying. Listening to the 2015 24-192 version is revelatory. Here is what the high-resolution transfer uncovers: Keith Jarrett - My Song -2015- -FLAC 24-192-

Listening Notes

  • “My Song” (title track) – The piano’s sustain pedal harmonics are transparent; Garbarek’s tenor floats with spatial depth behind Jarrett’s left-hand comping.
  • “Belonging” – Christensen’s snare brushwork and the bass’s wooden attack are distinctly separate yet cohesive.
  • “The Journey Home” – The crescendos feel unconstrained—no digital brickwalling.

The 2015 Reissue: A Digital Restoration

In 2015, ECM began a ground-up remastering program for their back catalog, moving from 16-bit/44.1kHz CD standards to high-resolution PCM. The 2015 FLAC 24-192 version of My Song is the result of re-transferring the original analog master tapes (likely 30 ips, 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch) through a state-of-the-art analog-to-digital converter.

Why 24-bit/192kHz? While the audible range for humans caps at roughly 20kHz, the 192kHz sampling rate captures ultrasonic frequencies and, more importantly, allows for flawless impulse response and phase coherency in the audible band. For My Song, this is critical. The 24-bit depth provides a theoretical dynamic range of 144 dB—far exceeding the original tape’s 70-75 dB. This means the noise floor is pushed so low that the room’s actual ambient silence becomes audible. Keith Jarrett’s "My Song" (2015 Remaster): A Deep

3. Palle Danielsson’s String Resonance

Bass is often the victim of D/A conversion. In 16/44.1, the bass can feel "thuddy" or indistinct. In 24-192, Danielsson’s acoustic bass on “Country” reveals the woody resonance of the body. You can hear the difference between a plucked string (attack) and the finger sliding on the winding (release). The 24-bit depth ensures that the quietest pianissimo pizzicato has no digital gating—it simply fades into natural silence.

1. Album Overview: My Song (1977)

Artist: Keith Jarrett (European Quartet) Label: ECM Records Musicians: Keith Jarrett (piano), Jan Garbarek (saxophones), Palle Danielsson (bass), Jon Christensen (drums) “My Song” (title track) – The piano’s sustain

My Song is widely considered one of the supreme achievements of Jarrett's "European Quartet." Unlike his famous American Trio (with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette), this group focused on a distinct blend of Nordic folk influences, lyrical minimalism, and atmospheric improvisation.

Key Tracks:

  • "Questar": Opening with a haunting saxophone motif by Jan Garbarek, this track sets the tone for the album's introspective mood.
  • "My Song": The title track is a melancholic, simple ballad that stands as one of Jarrett’s most beautiful compositions.
  • "Mandala": A faster-paced, more percussive piece that showcases the quartet's ability to navigate complex rhythms while maintaining a light touch.

Album Review: Keith Jarrett’s My Song – A Masterpiece in High-Resolution (2015, FLAC 24/192)

Artist: Keith Jarrett (piano, soprano saxophone? No – here piano)
With: Jan Garbarek (soprano and tenor saxophones), Palle Danielsson (double bass), Jon Christensen (drums)
Original Release: 1978 (ECM Records)
This Release: 2015, digital download/streaming in FLAC 24-bit/192kHz