This is part one of a trilogy of albums recorded in January 1983 by Jarrett, Peacock and DeJohnette – the others being Standards, Vol. 2 and Changes. They comprise the opening chapter of what would become known as Jarrett’s ‘Standards Trio’ that presaged a series of exceptional albums until the group ceased touring in 2014. The trio approached the standards repertoire with serious intent, acknowledging that much of the American Popular Song repertoire by the likes of Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rogers, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern represented great – if unacknowledged – art, which they approached from a contemporary improvisational perspective. Without prior consultation on arrangements, key or tempo, the trio just played and very quickly established an enduring creative chemistry based on mutual respect and trust that stood the test of time. On this album there are riveting versions of ‘Meaning of the Blues’, ‘All the Things You Are’, ‘It Never Entered My Mind’ and ‘God Bless the Child’ that still retain their freshness, immediacy and vibrancy, even though they were recorded 36 years ago.