There is a thread like this at least once a month!!
Difficult music requires more than one listening, but it also depends what it was - Jaco made some poor music later in his life due to decline in his mental condition exacerbated by drugs - but no doubt his best stuff is up there with the very best.
But it's not all meant to be "Easy Listening"!!!
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“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.” Charles Mingus
Endorsing Artist: Ashdown Amps and Sandberg Basses.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: South Africa
I First heard Jaco a few years ago and tried to force myself to like him because I thought I had to, to be a real bassist. I was 17 and it was a name dropping thing but no matter how I tried I just couldn't relate to it. I'm now 31 and over those issues, and it's only recently that I'm beginning to appreciate him. I was first exposed to him at 17 through someone giving me his instructional video which is what really got me into serious study of what the bass is capable of plus it ignited the desire to learn about theory. I still prefer him in a sideman capacity e.g Joni Mitchell's Shadows and Light but I've been listening to Continuum a lot lately and A Remark You Made can give me some serious goosebumps. I've drifted away from listening to bassists and am now into listening to the songs which has made me appreciate bassists even more in the context of the music that they play.
In the end though, it's up to you decide what you like based on what your ears tell you, not what bass lore tells you(I apologize if that sounds patronizing). I'm not going to recommend anything because I've only seen the tip of the iceberg as far as his music is concerned but I will say that his music is as diverse as his influences and there is bound to be something that will move you.
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"I ate fiberglass insulation. It wasn't cotton-candy like that guy said. My tummy itches" - Brick Tamland
Last edited by Eminentbass : 12-01-2006 at 10:43 PM.
personally i love most (not all) of jaco's work. I also have a friend who plays bass who is like "oh, he's a really good musician but that's it..."
but yah, different strokes for different folks i guess.
I know, shocking that it's taken me this long. 
