Miroslav Vitous on youtube

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by bruce malcolm

referring to universal syncopations as a "refreshing variety of jazz, blues, folk & classical", and questioning the label "fake jazz", seem to be appropriate, because this cd is really not jazz...it's a variety of interesting, different & very good music (as i stated earlier), written, arranged & orchestrated by a master bassist & happens to be played by 5 premier musicians, who are definitely considered jazz musicians.

it's a wonderful thing when you think about it & i respect your opinions...but in many cases, i don't care about..."what is jazz" criteria or "who wins" or "how a cd is sold / marketed". if it's miro & these 4 other musicians, i will research & buy it, no matter how it's marketed, no matter how it's "labeled".

- Yes, but it is still boring. I don't go to Vitous for introspective composition or understated playing. His strong points are playing sh** out of the bass and improvising.

[bruce malcolm]

picked up miro's new dvd "live in vienna". it's just him &
an apple computer for the various samples he uses.
very creative version of "milestones" by miro, along
with "my foolish heart" & "alice in wonderland". the rest is
a mix of jazz/classical/improv...some of the samples...ehhh, but no matter, he plays & sounds like miro...pretty amazing bassist to watch too.

[milomo]

Originally Posted by Throckmorten

What ever the relationship with Jaco might have been, Zawinul pretty well dis'd Vitous in his memior a few years ago, basically saying "too many notes, Mozart ..."

Maybe too much head and not enough gut for old Joe?
Whatever.

There was very bad blood between the two of them over the direction Weather Report's music eventually took, and in the way Miroslav was kicked out of the band. About the music he said "Number one, I couldn't play the black funk, and number two, I was not supposed to. I am an innovator and a pioneer and an advanced musician, and I am right in the edge of developing new music. How can you put me in a black funk band trying to make some money?". Jesus, what an ego. And as far as his being fired, since Miroslav was a co-owner of the name "Weather Report", Joe and Wayne had to pay him off to keep him from suing them. I'm sure Joe and his massive ego didn't enjoy that very much.

[damonsmith]

I really like his new ECM cd. It is much more creative than the last one, plus he playing his incredible solos and the compositions are really adventurous.
Even some of his electronics sound great.

[bruce malcolm]

i just got his new cd, "universal syncopations II" & need to check it out more. my 1st impression is...the compositions, arrangements, orchestration, musicians, level of muscianship,
sound, dynamics, etc...reminds me of weather report...post
miroslav, more so.