Jaco Pastorius Mov Version

If you listen to the scope of what he was doing on this album, technically and musically, and at the age he recorded it, it is impressive beyond belief. If you then consider the innovations he made on his physical instrument, the way it was played, and that he did all of this on a four-string bass, it is almost too much to fathom. If you then put this into the context of what was typical for the electric bass time at the time this album was recorded, and begin to understand the influence it had on every bassist to come after him -- directly or indirectly -- it is too much to fathom. In my opinion, this is one of the truly great albums ever recorded in modern American music. It is rare to find a recording this vibrant and eclectic which can flat-out melt your face upon your first listening, while continuing to delight you with rich and beautiful subtlety upon your hundredth.

I so looked forward to playing this album but, when I opened the (sealed) plastic and removed the album, I was horrified. The album had palm/finger prints and appeared scratched. What kind of QC is happening at the presser? I tried cleaning with a carbon fiber brush but there was a bit that wouldn’t pull up. Upon closer inspection, it was a tiny piece of paper that was glued to the vinyl...glued. See pictures. That will destroy a stylus. Also, the center spindle hole showed burrs from not being drilled out cleanly. Out of curiosity I tried to fit it on the turntable and it would not. This is unbelievable. I would recommend sourcing this purchase elsewhere. Amazon did the right thing and set up return/refund.

There is no easy way to say this, but unless you are a bass player or hard core jazz aficionado, steer clear of this record. It is the musical equivalent of a college textbook. This record begs to be studied, not just played in the background while you cook dinner or read a novel. Jaco was an incredible talent, as are all the musicians on this album. But they are all banging away, full tilt boogie. The tune about his girlfriend is about as low key as it gets. I may give this one away.

Jaco Pastorius' first solo LP is literally mindblowing. He starts by tugging on Charlie Parker's cape by covering Donna Lee, a Miles tune recorded by Bird when Miles was in his band. Then he brings in Sam and Dave to sing on an r&b number, Come On Come Over, in which the speed and precision of his 16th notes is remarkable. He starts "Continuum" with a triple-stop harmonic, just because he can, and Jaco wannabes (me included) have been playing this song continuously for the last 35 years. "A Portrait of Tracy" is a similar setpiece for bassists, a drop dead gorgeous piece (written for his first wife) which includes more harmonics than you thought were humanly possible. This CD and his other studio solo effort (Word of Mouth) are jaw droppers. Jaco died young so he didn't get to make much music, but his genius burned brightly (perhaps a little too brightly) for about 10 years. He gigged with Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, and Weather Report, which cut into the time he had to make his own records. Shamefully, Jaco's third solo album, Holiday for Pans, has never been released (though it has been bootlegged). Jaco's genius encompassed composition and arranging, and he produced a record which featured these two facets of his musicality-- but not a note of his bass playing. The suits thought he was nuts, but it wasn't madness. It was genius. "Jaco Pastorius" remains in Amazon's top 20 bestsellers for fusion jazz-- 35 years after it was released. Unfortunately Jaco did not get much of the financial reward. When he died his estate came to $600. In an ironic touch for a man who spent his last year homeless, living in a park in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale now has a park named after him, with two outsize wall murals of the great maestro. Jaco lives!

Very rich album. I think they could have worked the segues better if they'd tried. Lots of variety, which made that task difficult. In any case, a wonderful disk and I'm continuing to listen to it.

This is what I consider my favorite Jaco release... it is the one that dropped my jaw....Later on after his time with Weather Report his abilities were hampered by substances and imbalances that were beyond his control. All the later stuff are great releases but tainted by the fact that you can now in perspective, listen to them and understand how he was losing control of his faculties and how those issues were affecting the quality of his musicianship. He was suffering and if you know the history behind Jaco and his organic chemical imbalance it all makes sense now.

A great recording by one of the true musical geniuses of our time. I was struck not only by his virtuosity but by the feeling and expression that came through in these tunes.

Wow, but you already know this about Jaco's bass playing. This album, from Epic/Legacy features two bonus tracks and a nice booklet and essay. The songs mix genres and feature amazing musicians. Worth owning.

This album which is called simply Jaco Pastorius, is probably the best of Jaco (RIP) after his brilliance with Weather Report's best times alongside Zawinul, Wayne Shorter and Peter Erskine, which I think was the best WR formation, with all due respect for the others...It is IMO better than the other Jaco's project, Word of Mouth, and the jams recordings with Lagrene Bireli, and so forth. In here there is not only technical abilities and playing virtuoso on the instrument, but so many emotions are running here with "Continuum", "Portrait Of Tracy" and tracks where he is really throwing in the kitchen sink as "Cha-Cha" in 2 takes, 6/4 Jam.This is a special moment in my collection which always reminds me what a man John Francis Pastorius III aka Jaco was and how the "jazz" establishment treated him when he was alive, only to realize what a genius and they then all paid tribute like Pat Metheny which I always thought was his nemesis, musically I mean.

One of the best Bass Guitar Players ever.Alexis Korner introduced me to his music and he was in "Weather Report".If you want to put the music in a box it is probably Jazz but I just call it good music.If you like music you will like this as it is funky riff bassed tunes.....with emphasis on the bassed.The track with Sam & Dave singing is just such a classic but it is mainly instrumental.

Excellent debut album from one of the the great bass players. Tracks vary in tempo making an excellent listen. Recommended!

The late Jaco was a great bass player that explored the instrument and all genres of music with a great Jazz feel.

Of course extremely nice recording from the old times I was in the business.