I might be kicked off TB for this, but.....

[monsterthompson]

I was originally a guitarist. I was into players and their technique. As I've moved to bass, I've appreciated that I don't know dink about bassists outside of a few icons, and their styles and techniques mean little to me. I'm still concerned about technique but I don't attach it to specific players.

 

[Roxbororob]

The OP is entitled to his opinion,Jaco was a Beast of a player,and his style and technique was unorthodox but the music is something that you either love it or you hate it, I myself don't care for it either,but I wish I could play like him...

Now this folks is fair and respectful statement of opinion.

Edit: Big word this day and age that one...Respect...

 

[JackANSI]

Of course! I merely recommend that you try to sometime get a Jazz Bass plugged into the 360; so, you are INFORMED.

I don't get how hearing terrible tone in person is any better than hearing a recording of it... What am I missing in the recording?

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Also true of people that don't respect that not everyone shares the same opinions.

I will agree with you on that but only in the few instances people actually express an informed, respectable opinion on this forum.

As I said in my previous post (and I'm pretty sure something similar in another Jaco post to you), there is a difference between saying "I don't enjoy this" and "he has no groove." The former is a clear expression of an opinion but the latter is just a flat-out diss, this is done to stir the pot. The OP even knew this was his intention based off the thread title.

Jaco had groove, there is no discussion or opinion to have on the subject. As far as musical facts go, that is one. If you don't believe me (or any of the arms length list of professionals who worked with him) then you don't understand groove. Heck, go play "the Chicken" and see what happens. I bet it is rigid on your first few runs through, that song has a great pocket loaded with groove.

 

[bucephylus]

You're right. It's not really barky. It's all farty.

While I understand that Jaco was an influential player and I liked some of his stuff with Weather Report, he pretty much does nothing for me.

I think you have to be a little careful with your descriptors; which could be construed as trying to pick a fight.

When I first heard Jaco, I was still pretty deep into the Chris Squire and Stanley Clarke tone schools of super high def bass sounds. And, my initial reaction was kind of, "ok the virtuosity is fairly stunning, but, that tone doesn't make it." Some of that was not being hip to the R&B school tone that Jaco was coming from; but, also a good part of it was that the Jazz Bass/Acoustic 360 tone is fairly tough to capture on tracks. It really needs to be experienced to get the impact. FWIW

 

[rtslinger]

I liked what he brought to the bass world some very inspiring techniques and song ideas, but I have to be in the mood to listen to him, I come from a heavy metal back round but surely can appreciate his talent just listen to Chicken you can tell this guy loved to play bass that can not be denied. I am also a bBig fan of Tower of Power and Jaco stuff runs that vein as well

 

[jerry]

*sigh* has it been a month already?

 

[bucephylus]

I don't get how hearing terrible tone in person is any better than hearing a recording of it... What am I missing in the recording?

No, the recording unfortunately doesn't really get it. IMO/E.

 

[JackANSI]

No, the recording unfortunately doesn't really get it. IMO/E.

Then it should be describable. Go for it.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Yes.

Many of us do.

I think you'll find that John Taylor of Duran Duran has more universal appeal than Jaco

Jaco never did much for me. I disliked Duran Duran in the 80s, but now I very much appreciate Mr. Taylor's skills and creativity on bass.

 

[JackANSI]

I will agree with you on that but only in the few instances people actually express an informed opinion on this forum.

As I said in my previous post (and I'm pretty sure something similar in another Jaco post to you), there is a difference between saying "I don't enjoy this" and "he has no groove." The former is a clear expression of an opinion but the latter is just a flat-out diss, this is done to stir the pot. The OP even knew this was his intention based off the thread title.

Jaco had groove, there is no discussion or opinion to have on the subject. As far as musical facts go, that is one. If you don't believe me (or any of the arms length list of professionals who worked with him) then you don't understand groove. Heck, go play "the Chicken" and see what happens. I bet it is rigid on your first few runs through, that song has a great pocket loaded with groove.

There are a few tracks that he does strike what I call a real groove. A majority of the time I keep listening for a bassist to come in under him and keep it groovy while he goes off on a very not groovy tangent. If your tangents don't have a groove, you're not a very groovy player, or you dropped it. Thus, don't have a groove overall.

 

[bucephylus]

Then it should be describable. Go for it.

No, I won't get it; but, that combination captures the deep, almost cavernous "clank" that the Jazz Bass has as it's signature sound. Kind of same way that the SVT enhances the roar of the P Bass. With the 360, there is a definition to the tone that usually does not translate to the recordings. And, its way deep. Best I can relate, though it falls way short.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I respect Jaco's playing and contribution to the instrument, but it's not something that I say "Hey, I want to hear..."

 

[JackANSI]

No, I won't get it; but, that combination captures the deep, almost cavernous "clank" that the Jazz Bass has as it's signature sound. Kind of same way that the SVT enhances the roar of the P Bass. With the 360, there is a definition to the tone that usually does not translate to the recordings. And, its way deep. Best I can relate, though it falls way short.

If I ever come across someone that still has a working 360, I will give it a try. I'm open to that if the recordings really don't capture it. (edit: Checked two studios I've worked in before and neither have a 360 on their equipment lists...)

(I kinda doubt any "modern recordings" exist with the combination of playing style, bass, and amp, huh?).

 

[peledog]

How original.

 

[jerry]

The bass on Jaco's first solo album was direct, he didn't use the 360. IIRC

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Yep. Jaco was a visionary. He redefined the role of the instrument.

I'd suggest mostly bass is still a supporting instrument in rock and pop not hugely changed from the early 1970s, except mostly synth-bass heavy pop and dance music. It's role hasn't changed that much, but there have been a number of other pioneers of different bass sounds, roles and techniques, before, during, and after Jaco. If anything I'd say the somewhat more prominent role that bass sometimes does take on pop and rock has probably been driven by dance music, R&B (in the new sense) and reggae bleeding into the mainstream.

 

[vmabus]

I saw him twice, met him once. Heck of a nice guy. But I fail to see the appeal of a two-hour bass solo, no matter the technical expertise. His ensemble playing, yes; protracted solos, no.

 

[SodPen]

I'm not reading every response to this post to see if this has been covered. I'll just quickly say...

Not everything or everybody is for everyone. It's one of the issues I have when people ask something in the vein of "Who is the best..." or "What is the best..."

"Best" is a completely ambiguous and subjective term. It in no way conveys any sense of what criteria is used to determine the answer, and it certainly does not take into account any sense of personal individuality in regards to taste and preference. It's like asking, "What is the best tool in your toolshed?" Well, for what? For inserting a nail into a piece of wood, or for digging a hole? Do you like spade shovels or flat shovels? Etc etc.

Who is to say that Jaco is a "better" or "worse" bassist than Steve Harris? Or James Jamerson? Or Flea? Or anybody?

It should be clear to each of us that popularity does not equate to talent or skill in any meaningful or measurable way. That's painfully apparent looking at the lineup of prime time television or turning on any local terrestrial radio station. Jaco, like every musician who plays any instrument of any genre, appeals to some people while not appealing to others. If you don't find yourself on team Jaco, that's fine. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. You have an individual ear and an individual sense of what appeals to you that he doesn't fall within. Perfectly okay. Don't go trying to figure out why his round peg isn't fitting in your square hole just because a bunch of other folks have Jaco-shaped holes in their ears. Trying to figure out why others like X when you don't like X is futile. Some people like anchovies on their pizza, others don't. It's just personal taste, and nobody is more right or wrong than anybody else.

Personally, I loathe the Beatles. Simply cannot stand Sir Paul. Yet, like you, I cannot ignore the impact he had on the music scene and contemporary rock bassists, and I acknowledge his influence openly. It just isn't my personal cup o' tea.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I'd suggest mostly bass is still a supporting instrument in rock and pop not hugely changed from the early 1970s, except mostly synth-bass heavy pop and dance music. It's role hasn't changed that much, but there have been a number of other pioneers of different bass sounds, roles and techniques, before, during, and after Jaco. If anything I'd say the somewhat more prominent role that bass sometimes does take on pop and rock has probably been driven by dance music, R&B (in the new sense) and reggae bleeding into the mainstream.

P.S. It's not an attack on Jaco's ability - he was brilliant, just that it's not what is popular in the mainstream.