manuscriptreplica
11-16-2003, 07:00 PM
I love this guy, and thought I may as well give it a shot to review the CD that made him famous. Who would of thought looking at the CD cover of 'Jaco Pastorius' with Jaco's black and white face on the grey background that it is possibly the greatest and most influential jazz album ever? Definately for the 4-string instrument they call the bass guitar. Featuring two of the songs that changed bass playing forever, 'Continuum' and 'Portrait of Tracy', and such jazz greats like Herbie Hancock and David Sanborn, this is a must have for every bass player's CD collection.
Song List:
1. Donna Lee (Parker)
2. Come On, Come Over (Pastorius/Herzog)
3. Continuum (Pastorius)
4. Kuru/Speak Like a Child (Pastorius/Hancock)
5. Portrait of Tracy (Pastorius)
6. Opus Pocus (Pastorius)
7. Okonkole Y Trompa (Pastorius/Alias)
8. (Used to be a) Cha-Cha (Pastorius)
9. Forgotten Love (Pastorius)
10. (Used to be a) Cha-Cha (alternate take)
11. 6/4 Jam (Pastorius)
Donna Lee (2:27)
You will be blown away by this track. Jaco's immense skill is perfectly displayed in Charlie Parker's classic. I think, at least, this is up around 260 bpm, which is exceedingly quick for quavers. A simple bongo is accompanied to keep time, as if Jaco would need it. The solo is excellent, one of the best on the album, still keeping with the 260 bpm and doing it with perfection.
Continuum (4:32)
The piece that defined how the fretless bass was played. Jaco abuses his bass in this absolute mastery. Again, only using simple accompaniment, piano and cymbals, Jaco shows his mastery of the bass. He uses the chorus effect to full use, giving a certain aura about the song. Again, the solo is amazing, I especially liked the octave phrases. The improvised head out is outstanding it is one of my favourite things to play on my bass.
Kuru/Speak Like a Child (7:41)
The best funk-ish song on the album by far, it definately leaves 'Come on, come over' in the dust. Again, an insanely fast bass line by Jaco, showing that he is not only a soloist, he can make great bass lines, and keep the time as well. Surprisingly no solo from Jaco, you can't have everything now, can you?
Portrait of Tracy (2:22)
Ah, my all time favourite bass solo. There is only one word to describe this piece - unbelievable. Possibly the first song, and still the best, to be based on harmonics. The phrasing on the piece is simply outstanding - words fail me. Though it is not a very aurally pleasing song to the untrained ear (i.e. my sister 'That song's crap') to the bass ear it is a masterpiece. It is also very hard to play - such strectches like the 2+6 and the 9+13 harmonics make your hands ache after playing it, but it is all worth it. The intro is one you are sure not to forget.
(Used to be a) Cha-Cha (8:57)
This is my favourite song on the album for reason only - possibly the most insane bass solo ever in contained in it. Another very quick song (about 240bpm) when the time reached 1:22, be sure to triple the volume on the stereo. This solo is unbelievable, i've said this many times and I will say it again: I will die happy if I can play this. When the time reaches 2:46, you can probably switch it to the next track, but if you want to listen, again he shows his mastery of keeping time in quick songs with great bass lines - there is also a flute (or something) solo which is quite enjoyable.
Trust me if i could give this 6/5 i would, but i'll give it 5/5. Bass players, please, if you think Metallica's 'Orion' or Queens of the Stone Ages' 'No One Knows' bass solos are good, please check out this album.
Song List:
1. Donna Lee (Parker)
2. Come On, Come Over (Pastorius/Herzog)
3. Continuum (Pastorius)
4. Kuru/Speak Like a Child (Pastorius/Hancock)
5. Portrait of Tracy (Pastorius)
6. Opus Pocus (Pastorius)
7. Okonkole Y Trompa (Pastorius/Alias)
8. (Used to be a) Cha-Cha (Pastorius)
9. Forgotten Love (Pastorius)
10. (Used to be a) Cha-Cha (alternate take)
11. 6/4 Jam (Pastorius)
Donna Lee (2:27)
You will be blown away by this track. Jaco's immense skill is perfectly displayed in Charlie Parker's classic. I think, at least, this is up around 260 bpm, which is exceedingly quick for quavers. A simple bongo is accompanied to keep time, as if Jaco would need it. The solo is excellent, one of the best on the album, still keeping with the 260 bpm and doing it with perfection.
Continuum (4:32)
The piece that defined how the fretless bass was played. Jaco abuses his bass in this absolute mastery. Again, only using simple accompaniment, piano and cymbals, Jaco shows his mastery of the bass. He uses the chorus effect to full use, giving a certain aura about the song. Again, the solo is amazing, I especially liked the octave phrases. The improvised head out is outstanding it is one of my favourite things to play on my bass.
Kuru/Speak Like a Child (7:41)
The best funk-ish song on the album by far, it definately leaves 'Come on, come over' in the dust. Again, an insanely fast bass line by Jaco, showing that he is not only a soloist, he can make great bass lines, and keep the time as well. Surprisingly no solo from Jaco, you can't have everything now, can you?
Portrait of Tracy (2:22)
Ah, my all time favourite bass solo. There is only one word to describe this piece - unbelievable. Possibly the first song, and still the best, to be based on harmonics. The phrasing on the piece is simply outstanding - words fail me. Though it is not a very aurally pleasing song to the untrained ear (i.e. my sister 'That song's crap') to the bass ear it is a masterpiece. It is also very hard to play - such strectches like the 2+6 and the 9+13 harmonics make your hands ache after playing it, but it is all worth it. The intro is one you are sure not to forget.
(Used to be a) Cha-Cha (8:57)
This is my favourite song on the album for reason only - possibly the most insane bass solo ever in contained in it. Another very quick song (about 240bpm) when the time reached 1:22, be sure to triple the volume on the stereo. This solo is unbelievable, i've said this many times and I will say it again: I will die happy if I can play this. When the time reaches 2:46, you can probably switch it to the next track, but if you want to listen, again he shows his mastery of keeping time in quick songs with great bass lines - there is also a flute (or something) solo which is quite enjoyable.
Trust me if i could give this 6/5 i would, but i'll give it 5/5. Bass players, please, if you think Metallica's 'Orion' or Queens of the Stone Ages' 'No One Knows' bass solos are good, please check out this album.