Patitucci: Good Composer?

bassnutj · #1 12-05-2008, 09:13 PM

Not directed mainly at Janek, although please add your thoughts if you'd like Janek, but for those who visit this part of the forum that seem to be more in the know regarding jazz-fusion/etc instead of the other sub forums....
John has alot of albums out under his own name. Until 1998 or so, they were mostly electric oriented. Since then, they've been upright-oriented with a few electric cuts thrown in there.
So, John writes alot of tunes. Starting with his first album in 88 and all the way up until I think 2006. I think he's got a dozen or so under his name.
What do you all think of his writing? I'm not asking about his playing; I think we can all argue about our tastes regarding everything from his tone to his groove, but I'm sure we can all say he can play the bass. What about his writing?
He can obviously write a tune, but what do you all think about how his tunes make you feel? Are they good tunes? Do you listen to his albums for the music or the bass playing?
I'm not trying to make this a loaded question, just a discussion about a well known bassist's side that doesn't get talked about much.....

Phil Smith · #2 12-07-2008, 12:22 PM

This probably would get more traction in the BASSISTS forum.

bassnutj · #3 12-07-2008, 06:06 PM

Well, my thoughts were that the "Ask Janek" forum has alot of listeners of jazz/fusion, etc. so I would get more informed and mature responses instead of the Iron Maiden crowd....

Personally, I don't want to hear what the 13 year old that listens to Metallica has to say about John Patitucci's composition skills.......

Not that there's anything wrong with a 13 year old listening to Metallica.....it's just not the forum for what I want to hear.
Then again, seeing as there's been over 100 looks at this thread and not one response, maybe you're right.

janekbass · #4 12-08-2008, 11:57 AM

I don't think I listen to any album for the bass playing, always the music. I think John writes great, I love some of his albums, and the melodic content is super strong.

And as to the switch to more acoustic playing at a certain point had a lot to do with John moving from LA back to NYC as far as I know. And also from playing more acoustic music as a sideman with wayne shorter too.....

Easy,

Janek

p-rok · #5 01-14-2009, 07:51 PM

I'd have to say personally that I'm a huge fan of John's music in general. His solo albums definately don't get as much airtime on my itunes playlist as his playing with the electric band does. His improv in the eletric band is second to none, and his groove and musicality in general is at the top of the stack. His own stuff is strong, but definately not as catchy and doesn't immediately draw you in. You have to spend a bit of time listening to it to fully appreciate it. I often don't have the patience to let some music grow on me, and need a hook to draw me in. I find his soloing on almost any song immediately sucks you in and the melodic content is super strong. I think one of the reasons is his emphasis on transcribing sax players and not just other bassists. He plays alot of brecker and coltrane type lines which are so obviously different than the standard bassplayers approach, that it makes him stand alone amongst a sea of players playing "bass licks". The gap is definately closing though with the likes of Janek, Matt Garrison, Mike Pope and Gary Willis around.

brake · #6 01-19-2009, 03:23 PM

What should I check out by JP? I've got some Wayne Shorter albums that he's great on but wouldn't mind hearing some of his own music.

janekbass · #7 01-19-2009, 04:31 PM

one more angel, mistura fina, Now, sketchbook, on the corner.....

there are plenty of them out there....

Easy,

Janek

Sorax · #8 01-19-2009, 04:40 PM

I've got a copy of Songs, Stories, and Spirituals, which has some absolutely beautiful tunes and very tasty grooves, a lot of Brazilian inspired stuff.

bassnutj · #9 01-22-2009, 08:59 PM

I don't have all of John's album's, but I've got at least 6-7.
I like what he does with his writing; I sometimes just wish that his grooves were a little...I don't know....stronger? Busier? More old school funk?
The melodies are great; the changes hip; the band always great.
Solo? Unmatched.
I would just love for John to bring the groove more sometimes...ya know?

Also, while the CD's I have from John are generally great, I've noticed like most CD's there are at least 3-4 "filler" tracks on each...meaning, John had to put out a record and "hey, let's put this on there even though it could use some more time being cooked"...