Jaco did in fact play BASS, or What I learned from a Weather Report DVD

RBrownBass · #1 04-14-2008, 09:02 AM

Copied from the Recordings forum- wasn't getting enough replies there, and since it's more about a player than a recording, I started it here.

I was at a guitarist friend's home last night and got an opportunity to see his Weather Report Live Montreux 1976 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.

Grooove · #2 04-14-2008, 02:44 PM

Jaco was a true GENIUS!!! Not only a bass player, a real complete musician! He wrote so great compositions! And he revolutionized the bass playing! Jaco was a main influence for generations of Top bass players - and is until today!

Grooove

bassbrad · #3 04-14-2008, 03:24 PM

I love that dvd and the onein the WR Forecast Tomorrow box set from a Berlin concert. I was fortunate to see WR on both of those tours.
We need more Jaco on DVD.

bassman mike · #4 04-14-2008, 04:22 PM

Listen to Trio of Doom. There's something I'd like to see on DVD, even though it's less than thirty minutes long.

jerry · #5 04-14-2008, 04:23 PM

Jaco was very subdued on that first tour he did with Weather Report, no baby powder on the floor and James Brown dance moves or jumping off the amps.

jsingles · #6 04-14-2008, 04:25 PM

Lesfunk · #7 04-14-2008, 05:36 PM

Jaco was the baddest!

Especially the Early Years, before he fried himself.

JimK · #8 04-15-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

Jaco was very subdued on that first tour he did with Weather Report, no baby powder on the floor and James Brown dance moves or jumping off the amps.

No doubt.

jerry · #9 04-15-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

No doubt.

I sometimes feel maybe Jaco thought he opened a can of worms he couldn't close by becoming such a showman. Like Hendrix, people started expecting him to be a flamboyant performer at the shows, and it did make the crowds larger. It might have been one of the many demons that plagued him, I don't know....just throwing that out there.

RBrownBass · #10 04-15-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

Jaco was very subdued on that first tour he did with Weather Report, no baby powder on the floor and James Brown dance moves or jumping off the amps.

Did his playing change as his illness issues grew worse? By this I don't mean "did he have more off days?" (I'm certain of that), but did he start doing more of the sort of things that might make unambitious bassists shun his talent?

mntngrown · #11 04-15-2008, 09:17 PM

I'm a rock and blues fan, just a simple groove man! But I always try to expand my horizons, not to mention neural synapses, and go to see jazz, and buy jazz. I have that dvd and it knocks me out!
All those artists are great! What I love about great music is that you can approach it, expecting to be thrilled by your interest, (in my case bass and guitar), and be blown away by the unexpected.
I was trying my best to learn from Jaco, and the song where Joe Zawinul switched to the grand? piano for me was the most magical moment on the disc. Great artists makin it happen. It's cool to see Jaco diggin on the two percussionists on their duo too. R I P.

BassieMike · #12 04-15-2008, 11:31 PM

I was fortunate enough to see Jaco on Weather Report's Heavy Weather tour at the Rainbow Theater in London. Must have been about 1978. Before Jaco there was Stanley Clarke, Alphonso Johnson, Miroslav Vitous, and a few other heavy duty fusion bassists. There were also rock guys like John Entwhisle, Chris Squire and a few others.
Jaco stood the collective bass playing world on it's ear. Jaco played like no one else before him. He was the Jimi Hendrix of the bass and more. The first time I heard him play Donna Lee my jaw about hit the floor.
Today his influence can be heard in so many players. Just like Jimi and the guitar. A bright star who burned out way too soon. Bi-polar disorder combined with substance abuse never has a good ending.
RIP

-m

BuffaloBass · #13 04-17-2008, 09:46 AM

I never do like hearing people's opinions of the man, I just like hearing the man.

jerry · #14 04-17-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auriaprottu

Did his playing change as his illness issues grew worse? By this I don't mean "did he have more off days?" (I'm certain of that), but did he start doing more of the sort of things that might make unambitious bassists shun his talent?

I left the NYC area before his decline, in the four years I was able to see Jaco, he was peaking in ability. It broke my heart when friends would call or write out here telling me stories of running into him on the street.