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Is it wrong?

B

BellBottomBlues

Feb 21, 2007
1,853
7
New York
Disclosures
Endorser:Fender User:Rotosound, LaBella, Ashdown, Lindy Fralin
#1
...to hate Jaco Pastorius?

I can't stand his music and I don't really see what the big deal was aside from him basically inventing fretless electric bass. Listening to his stuff from Weather Report I feel as if I'm bored to tears.

I understand he influenced a lot of people, but he basically a glorified jazz fusion player who was pompous enough to claim he was the greatest bassist of all time.

I can safely say I'm not influenced by him, and I don't think any of my influences can cite being influenced by him because I dig more of the old school players like Willie Dixon etc...

Does anyone think there is a better player than Jaco? I think I can name a couple.


**Please note this is not a flame or an attempt at trolling, its just my opinion and I'm trying to see if I'm alone or not.
 
#5
I don't feel that it's a good thing to "hate" anyone!

There are many excellent bassplayers in the world. It is unrealistic to believe that everyone will like (or dislike) a particular player.

I also think that it doesn't benefit us as musicians to catgorically reject a style of music or specific players. Because I believe that there are valuable insights into our instrument that we would be denying ourselves if we do.

If you have really listened to a particular player and found nothing of value to yourself, then by all means move on. But there is no reason to "hate" or denigrate that player.


After all, it's all just vibrations in the air. :)
 
#8
I'm a huge Jaco fan, but I know exactly how you feel. I don't get what the big deal is about Jimi Hendrix.

I think, in both cases, it is important to try and remember the context in which they made their musical statements. When Jaco dropped his solo album in 1976, no one had ever done anything like "Donna Lee" on a bass before. And "Portrait of Tracy"? Far beyond what anyone else was doing. Now, are there guys today who are doing things that are way beyond those examples? Absolutely. But there is something to be said for being first, for seeing your instrument in a way no one else ever has. So, while I continue to change the station every time a Hendrix tune comes on, I absolutely respect his contribution.
 
#9
BellBottomBlues said:
Does anyone think there is a better player than Jaco? I think I can name a couple.
Click to expand...

We're a bit overdue for one of these threads, aren't we?

How do you measure if someone is a better player than another? Speed? More notes? Slapping? There is not a registry containing the ranking of all the bass players in the world.

According to your profile, it looks like you prefer more Rock-style players. Nothing wrong with that, but as you get older, you might want to at least develop an appreciation for other styles of music. I eat, breathe and sleep Jazz. I don't listen to Death Metal, but I recognize Alex Webster and Steve DiGiorgio as talented players and respect what they do.

The first time I heard Jaco, I thought he had a lot of chops but didn't understand what was going on in the music. I put the album away for a few years and then went back to it. It really spoke to me.

To this day, I don't understand what people see in The Grateful Dead, but I try to listen to them once a year to see if there's something I'm missing (BTW, haven't found it yet;) ).
 
#10
IMO, i can enjoy jaco with Weather Raport.

but, my general opinions of all out solo bassist irritates me as hell, im pretty sure its not anything with their music, more the fact that everybody and their mother try half assed attempts on their songs, yet fail to make a good bassline.
 
#11
Have you heard Pat Methenys "Bright Size Life" or the Joni Mitchell stuff with Jaco, like "Shadows and Light"? I think these are his best recordings, besides his solo stuff.

The thing to remember is there was bass before Jaco, and bass after Jaco. For better or for worse. Most guys nowadays don't even realize they are influenced by him. It has become part of the bass vocabulary.
 
#12
Alan Vorse said:
To this day, I don't understand what people see in The Grateful Dead, but I try to listen to them once a year to see if there's something I'm missing (BTW, haven't found it yet;) ).
Click to expand...

Im with ya. Ive had numerous friends on different occasions show me many different songs by them...it just never clicks. And I feel that i have an eclectic choice in music, everything from Bach to Tool, Beatles to Psyopus, Jaco to Squarepusher.

Anyway, back to the original question...Do what you feel. I "hate" plenty of people. no problem, its not like im making any actions toward them. But i still give them a chance before i make any decision. And if i dont like what they do, i normally find something i can respect them for. Sixty percent of the time, it works everytime.
I love listening to Jaco. and despite what I have read on TB over and over, I LOOOVE his tone.
 
#13
Its music! Don't let anyone make you do something you don't want to. If you don't like Jaco thats cool, I like his tunes but I can't stand to listen to them forever. Do what you like, play the bass you like, listen to what you like, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I feel music is a freedom of expression that is supposed to be fun, if listening to Jaco isn't fun for you then don't do it!
 
#16
beggar98 said:
I'm a huge Jaco fan, but I know exactly how you feel. I don't get what the big deal is about Jimi Hendrix.

I think, in both cases, it is important to try and remember the context in which they made their musical statements. When Jaco dropped his solo album in 1976, no one had ever done anything like "Donna Lee" on a bass before. And "Portrait of Tracy"? Far beyond what anyone else was doing. Now, are there guys today who are doing things that are way beyond those examples? Absolutely. But there is something to be said for being first, for seeing your instrument in a way no one else ever has. So, while I continue to change the station every time a Hendrix tune comes on, I absolutely respect his contribution.
Click to expand...

This says it perfectly. Neither do anything for me... but the first time I ever heard Cliff Burton's Anethesia, my jaw dropped, it changed my life.
 
#19
giantrobot_69 said:
Most guys nowadays don't even realize they are influenced by him. It has become part of the bass vocabulary.
Click to expand...
TBH it's very arrogant to say that.
I can safely say that I am not in any way inspired or influenced by Jaco, and by your statement I'm actually a bit offended (if only just a teeny tiny bit).

Imagine a Christian walking into a mosque and going all "Hey guys. I just dropped in to say that your belief is wrong, and christianity is superior. You just haven't realised it yet."
Do you see what I'm trying to get across?

I understand that Jaco brought bass out there to the public, and I acknowledge that he was a great player. He just hasn't done anything for me.

I agree 100% with your statement that there was bass both before and after Jaco.

As for disliking Paul McCartney... well sign me up. I hate him.
 
#20
BellBottomBlues said:
...to hate Jaco Pastorius?

I can't stand his music and I don't really see what the big deal was aside from him basically inventing fretless electric bass. Listening to his stuff from Weather Report I feel as if I'm bored to tears.

I understand he influenced a lot of people, but he basically a glorified jazz fusion player who was pompous enough to claim he was the greatest bassist of all time.

I can safely say I'm not influenced by him, and I don't think any of my influences can cite being influenced by him because I dig more of the old school players like Willie Dixon etc...

Does anyone think there is a better player than Jaco? I think I can name a couple.


**Please note this is not a flame or an attempt at trolling, its just my opinion and I'm trying to see if I'm alone or not.
Click to expand...


AMEN BROTHER, I'M RIGHT THERE WITH YA!!!!! however, how does anyone measure whos better than who. i'm just one of these people who feels that it is impossible to rate any art form especially music. to me, i cant stand jaco. i think rick price [georgia satellites] is the greatest bassist ever, because he made me want to become a bassist. but to the thousands of people out there who dont tknow who he is, this statement means nothing. i think that kyle henderson would rate in at #2, but then..........
i agree with the jaco comment however. are there "better players" out there? who knows. maybe you are!!!!! maybe i am!!!!
 

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