I was at a guitarist friend's home last night and got an opportunity to see his WR DVD. Before I go any further into this post, I'll admit up front that I've been slack about studying both WR with or without Jaco and Jaco period. I bought a cassette years ago of Continuum and was very impressed, but never followed up with purchases of other releases.
I'm posting here because what I saw in that DVD put to lie every post I've ever read on this site that questioned Jaco's use of his style to fit into an ensemble. His playing that evening was a magnificent blend of virtuosity and support, roots, chords, harmonics, and -despite what his detractors would like to think- impeccable taste. There was never, ever a question of what instrument he was playing, nor was there any about his ability to improvise and adapt to the on-the-spur ideas his bandmates (Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Alex Acuna, and Manolo Badrena- it was incredible, like watching a "stunt men at their greatest- do NOT attempt this at home" performance) were coming up with. In short, if this one DVD is any example of his contribution to music in general and bass in particular, he was everything he's been made out to be and more.
I'm sure I'm not the only one here who's seen this concert. Always interested in feedback
from others who have seen it as well.
