Until Birthday Concert came along, this was the solely decent alive recording of the large band that Jaco assembled for a earth tour inwards 1982, after taking a permanent intermission from Weather Report. The solely large holler large band formed inwards the 1980s, its inclusion of non-traditional instruments shows the influence of Gil Evans' bands (and the exclusion of pianoforte together with guitar is actually refreshing). This recording nearly masks the fact that Jaco was sinking deeply into manic depression, together with losing closed to of his edge. Still, you lot larn to hear a rare together with first-class functioning of Elegant People (not available on the truncated American liberate Invitation), together with an interesting bass solo inwards the monumental Reza. Also included are alive versions of Liberty City, Three Views, Okonkole, together with Continuum, all notable for their scheme together with presentation past times a real fine band. But Twins, named for his latterly born twin boys, is thence much banging together with clanging. Entirely also much fourth dimension is given to Toots Theilemans (assuming a harmonica is warranted for such a band, Jaco would receive got been ameliorate served past times a gutbucket somebody man). The recording suffers a chip from the polite Japanese audience, dutifully applauding, where whatsoever other audience would receive got screamed approval. The band collapsed after this tour, weighed downwardly past times expense together with Jaco's mounting emotional difficulties. If you lot collect recordings past times Jaco, this would live a skilful i to buy, after Jaco Pastorius together with Word of Mouth.
I virtually rated this recording a four because of the 20+ twelvemonth one-time recording technology. But thence I listened to a greater extent than seriously together with was genuinely taken dorsum amongst the fun roller coaster ride that Jaco together with his xx slice band took me on. With players similar Don Alias on Percussion, Randy Brecker on Trumpet, Peter Erskine playing smoking drums together with also many other heavyweights to cite I was taken to a actually skilful place. From Jaco's incredible playing to Erskine, Brecker, french horns, tuba etc. this album goes where real few become fifty-fifty today. All I tin tell is purchase it together with concur on to your seat!
I receive got Jaco's studio recordings together with I similar them a lot, simply these alive renditions discover an fifty-fifty greater depth to Jaco's abilities equally a author together with arranger of large band music. It's hard to believe he was on the verge of consummate breakdown when this music was beingness made.
Jaco's Genius for Modern Big Band is on total display inwards this forthwith classic early on 80s recording. Interesting that it has been repackaged equally the Jaco Pastorius Big Band when inwards fact it was called the Word of Mouth Big Band (or Orchestra). H5N1 truthful all-star matter that Jaco was rightfully proud of. Big Band funk? "You got it." Among his many contributions to contemporary music together with jazz, his large band arrangements are fresh together with glowing amongst vitality. One tin solely wonder how far together with how high he mightiness receive got climbed equally he breathed novel life into a cast that had non seen much motion inwards decades. ANYONE who loves Jaco, or is a large band fan (on the modern tip) volition live thrilled past times these performances. Only i other authorized recording showcases this item side of his genius: The Birthday Concert on WB records. Fortunately for all of us, that unforgettable flush (Jaco threw a birthday concert for himself inwards Ft. Lauderdale together with brought the entire Word of Mouth Big Band inwards for the occasion) was recorded together with move released.
Bassist Jaco Pastorius formed this large band for a 1982 earth tour, which had closed to magical performances together with incredible frustrations away from the stage.
The band ultimately imploded due to the deteriorating wellness of Pastorius - who threw his bass into Hiroshima Bay, along amongst exhibiting other signs of self-destructive behavior. But these thirteen selections released inwards Nihon inwards 1983 - together with inwards a condensed the U.S. of A. version, entitled, Invitation - highlights the triumph earlier the drapery abruptly roughshod on Jaco's remarkable career.
The textured layers of instruments - the Word of Mouth Big Band lineup of Don Alias (per), Randy Brecker (tr), Peter Erskine (d), Bobby Mintzer (sax), Othello Molineaux (steel dr), Toots Thielemans (har), along amongst fourteen invitee musicians appearing inwards the ii September shows - compliments Jaco's tenacious leadership through his rapid, melodic bass runs.
Liberty City is a gem, amongst other top-flight cuts inwards the mix; Three Views of a Secret, Reza/Giant Steps/Reza together with Pac-Man Blues (Fannie Mae). The music is fifty-fifty to a greater extent than electrifying together with fresh closed to 25-plus years afterwards through the digitally-remastering, which utilizes 24-bit technology. This is genuinely a jewel that deserves to move live heard inwards its entirety.
Track listing:
1 Amerika 1:10
2 Okonkole’ Y Trompa 7:00
3 Reza / Giant Steps / Reza 14:39
4 Elegant People 12:40
5 Twins 6:03
6 Pac-Man Blues (Fannie Mae) 3:00
7 Eleven 0:27
Personnel:
Jaco Pastorius: Electric Bass
Don Alias: Percussion
Randy Brecker: Trumpet
Peter Erskine: Drums, Timpani
Bobby Mintzer: Tenor & Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
Othello Molineaux: Steel Drums
Toots Thielemans: Harmonica
Jon Faddis: Lead Trumpet
Elmer Brown: Trumpet
Forrest Buchtel: Trumpet
Ron Tooley: Trumpet
Wayne Andre: Lead Trombone
David Bargeron: Trombone, Tuba
Peter Graves: Bass Trombone, Co-Conductor
Bill Reichenbach: Bass Trombone
Mario Cruz: Tenor & Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Alto Flute
Randy Emerick: Baritone Sax, Clarinet, Alto Flute
Alex Foster: Tenor, Alto & Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Piccolo
Paul McCandliss: Tenor Sax, Oboe, English linguistic communication Horn
Peter Gordon: French Horn
Brad Warnaar: French Horn
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