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Jaco Pastorius & Miles Davis

#23
New York City said:
I just had someone say that’s the best they ever heard Jaco playing this style, referring to the playing on this. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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Disagree. Jaco played his best when he wasn't in and out of hospitals. Unfortunately as it was. He was always great but you should read the Jaco book
Jaco: The Extraordinary and the Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius, the World's Greatest Bass Player by Bill Milkowski
Do you have his first record or the weather report records? Even the live weather reports. Again Jaco was always a great bassist. In his latter years there were times he was heard to be like the beginning years but that was not always the case. But its hard to say a basset like jaco who was a genius ever play bad. I just feel his best playing was when he didn't abuse alcohol or drugs. Even then he was still an innovator.
 
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#25
Bassist30 said:
Disagree. Jaco played his best when he wasn't in and out of hospitals. Unfortunately as it was. He was always great but you should read the Jaco book
Jaco: The Extraordinary and the Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius, the World's Greatest Bass Player by Bill Milkowski
Do you have his first record or the weather report records? Even the live weather reports. Again Jaco was always a great bassist. In his latter years there were times he was heard to be like the beginning years but that was not always the case. But its hard to say a basset like jaco who was a genius ever play bad. I just feel his best playing was when he didn't abuse alcohol or drugs. Even then he was still an innovator.
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Thanx for the book info!
 
#33
JimK said:
I bought some early single episodes off Prime...buyer beware, though, because sometimes the musical guest performances are not included.
Do you know the Year/Season The Meters were on?
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If I remember correctly, it was after Art Neville left to join his brothers, so I figure 77-78.
 
#36
I came to that Jaco with Ornette question when listening Jamaalaaden's Boss of The Bass album and happened to check some Prime Time live. I admit that I am too much a jazz guy to care about Ornette's non-swinging doings and usually place them into the contemporary classical bin. Maybe Prime Time would have not been Jaco's stuff either, though Crisis goes nearby.

Happily years with Ornette didn't kill Jamaalaaden's funky instincts and here he is the boss of the bass.

 
#37
New York City said:
This is a new side of Jaco’s playing imo. Playing straight but spot on, then the Jaco fills. & 84? Hadn’t he gone off the deep end in 81? This is some incredible bass playing, particularly if he was indeed in bad shape?
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Jaco had increasing behavioral issues and confrontation with Zawinul. His contributions to Weather Report after the Heavy Weather album were significantly less. Some of that was Jacos desire to move on to his Word of Mouth project, some of it was Joe Zawinul writing material that marginalized his contribution. Remember Mr. Gone?

Jacob's initial slide was gradual while in Weather Report although I heard first hand accounts of awful live performances.

In 1982, Jaco was formally diagnosed with mental health issues and prescribed medications which hampered his playing. He couldn't stay on the meds and his cocaine and alcohol issues became even bigger as a result. In 1985, he was living on the street. The slide is documented elsewhere. Jaco Pastorius: Live in New York City, Volume 7 - JazzTimes

As far as Miles and Jaco, I dont think it would have lasted more than a few minutes when Miles returned in 1982 because Jacos mental state would have torpedoed any competitive music effort. Jacos playing was technically skilled to the end, but his ideas post 1982 were hit and miss, mostly retreads or increasingly bizarre couples with self destructive behavior. He tossed his bass into Tokyo Bay on the Word of Mouth tour. Remember the 1979 Bay of Gigs with John McLaughlin.

Miles, trying to reel in his substance abuse issues, and a recognized jazz immortal probably would not have worked well with the "Worlds Greatest Bass Player".

FYI, Miles was hot to get Jimi Hendrix in his band, but claimed Jimi had an affair with his wife which put that on hold until Jimi's death shortly afterwards. Jimi was doing some creative stuff live solo wise, although he couldn't get it together in the studio. Jimi was also the highest paid musical performer in the world at the time of his death. I am sure that influenced Miles as well.
 
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#39
Bought & just watched...fast forwarded to The Meters (about 1HR in)...they do "My Name In Lights". Ziggy Modeliste sings lead (not listed as lead vocals on the album; Cyril Neville is).
On SNL, they're a 4-tet with the SNL horn section. Wish they had played more.
 

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