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Jaco ?????????

M

mdsmith

Jan 31, 2008
139
2
#1
I know I'm going to get some negitive responses to this one, but here it goes. I'm pretty new to bass, and I've been trying to listen to some of the players whom I keep hearing about. One of them is Jaco. I have both the Jaco and Jaco Pastorius albums, and I just don't get it. I must be missing something , because I don't find them the least bit enjoyable to listen too. I can appreciate how hard it must be to play the stuff he's playing, but I can't even make it through a whole song. I feel like I'm really missing out, since I keep hearing how listening to Jaco is essential. I'm not much of a jazz fan to start out with so maybe that's it. :hmm: Anyone else feel like this ????
 
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#6
A talent as large and influential as Jaco doesn't need me to come to his defense, but ...

really? Portrait of Tracy didn't move you? You weren't knocked out by what he did with Donna Lee?

Perhaps if Jaco's solo albums don't excite you, you might try Pat Metheny's Bright Size Life, or his work on Joni Mitchell albums.

There are plenty of reasons that practically all the major bassists you can name, and many, many, major non-bassist jazz musicians look to Jaco as a musical hero. But there's not enough space to list 'em all here.

Not trying to be patronizing, but I'd suggest listening to Jaco more, and more closely. And for background reading/analysis, check out Bill Milkowski's excellent bio, titled Jaco.

mdsmith said:
I know I'm going to get some negitive responses to this one, but here it goes. I'm pretty new to bass, and I've been trying to listen to some of the players whom I keep hearing about. One of them is Jaco. I have both the Jaco and Jaco Pastorius albums, and I just don't get it. I must be missing something , because I don't find them the least bit enjoyable to listen too. I can appreciate how hard it must be to play the stuff he's playing, but I can't even make it through a whole song. I feel like I'm really missing out, since I keep hearing how listening to Jaco is essential. I'm not much of a jazz fan to start out with so maybe that's it. :hmm: Anyone else feel like this ????
Click to expand...
 
#7
mdsmith said:
Yea, I need to check him out. I've been listening to some Larry Grahm, Family Man Barrett and whoever plays for Earth Wind and Fire.
Click to expand...

Now you're talking:D The guy from EW&F is Verdine White BTW.

Jaco was a bass monster without doubt, but he doesn't float my particular boat either, different strokes for different folks. Strangely enough, a lot of my bass heroes cite Jaco as an influence but I like their stuff:confused:
 
#9
It sounds to me like your problem is more with the music than with Jaco's playing. While I'm a fan, I can certainly understand where you're coming from because alot of that 70's jazz fusion sounds really dated and is difficult to listen to if you're just jumping into it.

I would suggest that you listen to his playing with others, like with Joni Mitchell on Hejira to get into his playing more. And if you still don't "get it", don't worry about it - you shouldn't feel like you have to be into Jaco to be a bass player. There are plenty of other players with completely different styles out there to listen to!
 
#10
I do not worship at the altar of Jaco Pastorious either. I certainly can appreciate his talent and his influence on bass playing, but his music is not my cup of tea.

Still, I am familiar with his work. You have to be if you want to know where bass playing has been and why it's where it is today.
 
#12
i love jaco, he's one of the bigger influences on my playing style. that being said, some of what he did doesn't float my boat. i can respect the skill, but it can be weird to listen to. there are other times when i literally get chills from his playing. it's all good, learn from what moves you! :cool:
 
#13
Jaco is like considered the Beethoven of the bass guitar world. I respect him and his playing, however, I just don't enjoy them as much as Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Stanley Bailey, Les Claypool, etc. I can't really get through one song of his either. If someone asks you why did you start playing bass, the common answer that's sort of nailed into our heads is "Oh, because Jaco Pastorius inspired me". He's just so famous and well known, it's almost like saying "Well, why wouldn't you like Jaco's music?". Not sure if I got my point across, but I have some things in common with you, mdsmith, when it comes to Jaco's music.
 
#14
I'm a huge reggae fan and love soul, funk and all kinds of groovy music. When I heard Jaco I was blown away. It's just a different genre is all. I love Jaco, he inspired me to learn more and to do more with the bass. I made a song entirely on harmonics for my niece. I never would have done that without hearing "Portrait of Tracy." What about "The Chicken?" I mean that bassline is funky and fun.
 
#15
Exactly. Pretty much every bass player I like speaks very highly of Jaco . That's why I feel like I'm missing something. Like I said before though, I'm not into jazz in general. The one song Come On, Come Over was pretty cool, but that had more of a funk feel to it. For me it's R&B, funk and reggae that make me want to pick up the bass(not that I play any of them very well).
Ezbass said:
Now you're talking:D The guy from EW&F is Verdine White BTW.

Jaco was a bass monster without doubt, but he doesn't float my particular boat either, different strokes for different folks. Strangely enough, a lot of my bass heroes cite Jaco as an influence but I like their stuff:confused:
Click to expand...
 
#17
Jaco, and Weather Report, are not really the sit back and relax kinda music. You actually need to listen pretty actively to enjoy it. I could never have it going in the background, but if I really want to LISTEN to music, it's on my list.
 
#18
mdsmith said:
I know I'm going to get some negitive responses to this one, but here it goes. I'm pretty new to bass, and I've been trying to listen to some of the players whom I keep hearing about. One of them is Jaco. I have both the Jaco and Jaco Pastorius albums, and I just don't get it. I must be missing something , because I don't find them the least bit enjoyable to listen too. I can appreciate how hard it must be to play the stuff he's playing, but I can't even make it through a whole song. I feel like I'm really missing out, since I keep hearing how listening to Jaco is essential. I'm not much of a jazz fan to start out with so maybe that's it. :hmm: Anyone else feel like this ????
Click to expand...


Personally I love Jaco, but I can see where someone wouldn't get it. If you don't dig it, you don't dig it. Search out other players. There are plenty of amazing bassists to get into. Good luck
 
#19
Well, you've gotta understand WHAT Jaco did for the bass.
He was like Hendrix.
He came in, said "This is how I'M gonna do it!" and kicked down the wall.

In a few years, you'll come back to Jaco and it'll blow your mind even more.

Listen to his solo on "port of entry" from Night Passage.
Blows my mind...
 

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