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Does anyone not enjoy Jaco?
- Thread starter TristanFunky
- Start date
Amen !!!Anyone who doesn't like Jaco should listen to his playing with Joni.
Anyone who doesn't like Joni should hang their head in shame
Stumbled on an older but pretty interesting topic, thought Id chime in as Im trying to expand my current knowledge and opinion (appreciation) for this artist and generational spirit loved and revered by musicians and listeners alike.
I like to start of by saying , if someone asked me name those who influenced me, or who do I identify with, or who inspires me as a musician or bassist; Id overlook Jaco, he wouldn't be one of the immediate bassists or musicians I would mention outright.
That said, I mostly appreciate how much inspiration for music has generated and continues to generate. His musical vocabulary was boundless, his devotion was undeniable and his passion, fearlessness set him worlds and galaxies apart from even the most highly regarded artists. He was so musically free, he transcended beyond music.
I rarely listen to Jaco, mainly because I gravitate to different styles of music. I'm sure to some degree, my limited abilities or my connection to bass is less in the realm of a soloist, is at play. Plain and simple: I got enough to learn here as it is, keeping or inventing the groove, mastering being in the pocket and forming a rythymn section with my drummer, or riffing the shag out with my guitarist.
I like to start of by saying , if someone asked me name those who influenced me, or who do I identify with, or who inspires me as a musician or bassist; Id overlook Jaco, he wouldn't be one of the immediate bassists or musicians I would mention outright.
That said, I mostly appreciate how much inspiration for music has generated and continues to generate. His musical vocabulary was boundless, his devotion was undeniable and his passion, fearlessness set him worlds and galaxies apart from even the most highly regarded artists. He was so musically free, he transcended beyond music.
I rarely listen to Jaco, mainly because I gravitate to different styles of music. I'm sure to some degree, my limited abilities or my connection to bass is less in the realm of a soloist, is at play. Plain and simple: I got enough to learn here as it is, keeping or inventing the groove, mastering being in the pocket and forming a rythymn section with my drummer, or riffing the shag out with my guitarist.
Before I read this ^ post and listened to his work with Joni Mitchell, specifically the live Shadows and Light, my honest answer was full appreciaion, fleeting deep dives watching brilliance, but I never connected deeply with Jaco to say I truly enjoy him until I listened to this.Anyone who doesn't like Jaco should listen to his playing with Joni.
Anyone who doesn't like Joni should hang their head in shame
But I would wager that some (many? most?) of the players who influenced you, or who influenced the players that you do identify with, would cite Jaco Pastorius as one of their influences.
That's one of the most important facets of Jaco's legacy imho: It's not necessarily any one particular thing he played on bass, or one particular technique or style or approach. It's that all of those things in combination acted like a sea-change in how bassists perceived What Was Possible On The Instrument, and so his impact was pervasive and ubiquitous.
It's very easy to find one bassist who will say "I never listened to Jaco" or "I was never influenced by Jaco."
But if you filled a room with two dozen bassists, you couldn't throw a rock without hitting several bassists who will admit "I was influenced by Jaco"
...or at least "the bassist(s) who influenced me were influenced by Jaco."
@Bob_Ross I 100000% agree. That was actually the point I was trying to make, that's what I admire & appreciate most. His influence, inspiration and impact he had and still has on music, not just bass. To add, I am influenced by him, even though I never realized it or attempted to emulate him. Artists such as Jaco encouraged me (and us all to be free, be yourself, be honest play with passion, work at it, and be a bandmate playing music together as a group.
This thread helped me realize just how much I am influenced by him - make sense?
I respect the talent, influence, and legacy, but he's not for me.
"Does anyone not enjoy Jaco?"
Me.
Objectively, he was an incredible, influential musician. Subjectively, I don't enjoy listening to him.
I can appreciate the skill and talent and still not enjoy it. Two completely different things.
Me.
Objectively, he was an incredible, influential musician. Subjectively, I don't enjoy listening to him.
I can appreciate the skill and talent and still not enjoy it. Two completely different things.
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Usually don't like Jaco's bass sound or playing for that matter. I do understand how he changed the way bassists play. He was a trendsetter and deserves all the credit for that. BUT... check out his sound and playing when he was in Trio Of Doom. Especially on the studio version of Continuum. Maybe it was the engineering but his bass sounds full and large. The best I have ever heard his bass sound. It is worth a listen.
