Now we're back to the DVD, and it's a treat to behold the band in full flight. This is one of those infamous never before seen or released tapes that surface periodically of famous bands from vaults all around the world. It turns out this concert in Offenbach Germany is the only professionally videotaped concert footage of the band in existence.
In his notes on the concert and DVD Peter Erskin (drummer at the time) suggest there might have been one made by Belgrade Radio of Yugoslavia but it would have been destroyed during the NATO bombings during the horrors of the civil war after the fall of Tito. The music played at the Offenbach gig was an overview of the band's history to that point, so it provides you with the band's perspective of what they considered their most important work to date.
This means not only do you get studio version of some of the songs but live concert versions as well in a stripped down format. "Black Market," "Birdland," and "The Pursuit Of The Woman With The Feathered Hat" are the most notable overlaps and stand out as pieces to compare back again against the originals.
The icing on the cake of this package is the beautifully put together book that comes with it. Jazz writer Hal Miller provides us with a wonderful overview of the history of the band, using the three discs included in the package as points of reference: who played when, how it affected the music, and what they contributed to the band during their tenure.
Forecast: Tomorrow is a magnificent tribute to one of the seminal bands of the late twentieth century. Weather Report blazed so many trails musically that people still haven't started to walk them all yet to follow in their footsteps. Unfortunately, unless there is some radical change in the music industry, it is doubtful there will be any willing to take the types of chances required for this music to exist.
In the meantime we can just be grateful for what we have, and Forecast: Tomorrow is definitely something to be grateful for.
Article comments
1 - Pico
This sounds like one of those rare box sets that would work well for both the beginners and the long time fans. A pioneering band, indeed. Thanks for an informative write up.
-P
2 - M.K.
The video from the Beogradski Jazz Festival in 1980(if that is the one to which Peter Erskine is referring) does in fact exist. I have a copy, but the quality is not so great. The lineup includes Robert Thomas Jr. on percussion, however, so the author is correct that the Rockpalast is the only professional recording of the quartet band.
3 - Sam
I have been eagerly waiting for a WR Box and this looks like it. Picked it up yesterday. I'm pumped for hours of enjoyable listening. One down note: why weren't the tracks remastered? That would have made purchasing duplicade copies of many of these recordings somewhat worthwhile.
4 - meagan
This is a great site and you guys are great. thanks for everything your music is amazing and it helps me think in school.There is nothing else i listen to but this music
5 - Richard Marcus
M.K.
I don't know if you'll ever check back here again, but I received the following letter from the artistic director of the Belgrade Jazz festival and he would be very interested in obtaining a copy of the video tape you own, as they had assumed only an audio tape existed from that concert.
Here's a copy of the letter and his email address:
Mr. Marcus,
I am the artistic director of Belgrade Jazz festival (which had a 15 years
break, during wartime and started again, successfully, last year).
Radio Television Belgrade (National Broadcasting Company) was involved in the
festival from the beginning (1971-1990, and again this year), with recording
almost every concert from the main stage. But, sometimes, video footage was
not allowed - only audio.
Some tapes were lost long before wartime in Yugoslavia, because some TV
editors didn't feel the importance of keeping them in the archives, so they
used tapes for other purposes. (TV company was not rich to buy new tapes).
So... we do not actually know which shows are recorded and which are not.
There were very few concerts left in Belgrade TV archives now.
In fact, talking with lot of people which were involved in the festival in
1980 (both from Festival production team and Belgrade TV), it seems that
Weather Report concert WAS NOT FILMED but only recorded for radio purposes
(AUDIO). It seems that video footage was not allowed by the band management?
Audio tape exists, and - since I am working at the National radio too for many
years - I had a chance to play it on my radio show.
If TV tape exists too - which is the thing that Mr. M.K. is mentioning in his
comment - this information is of the HIGHEST IMPORTANCE for both the Belgrade
Jazz Festival (we try now to collect as much archives as possible), and
Belgrade TV (there is no such a tape now in their archives), and - last but
not least - me, because this was a REALLY FIRST SERIOUS JAZZ CONCERT that I
ever attended on the festival. I do believe all of those years that Weather
Report Belgrade Jazz Festival 1980 show was a turning point for me in starting
listening into jazz!
Therefore, I am curious to check if this tape which M.K. is mentioning is
trully from Belgrade Jazz festival, plus would like to get a copy of it for
our Festival archives, if this is possible.
I hope that you do understand the importance of having this in our archives
too and kindly ask if you have any idea how to reach Mr. M.K. by email.
Thanks,
Vojislav Pantic
Belgrade
[Personal contact info deleted]
cheers
Richard Marcus
6 - Derrick
I have a decent copy of the belgrade show! It is legendary, just simply amazing.!!!!
7 - vojislav
Oh, God, finally something new and promissing!
[Personal contact info deleted]
8 - Nenad Dinic
I have a great collection of Weather Report videos, and I am surprised with that Belgrade Jazz 1980 video. Never heard before. So Mr Pantic and Mr. Derrick, i would really love to contacat you and eventually get that famous concert. HOw we can do that?
9 - Derrick
This is Derrick everyone!!! I will send you a copy of the concert if we can contact each other by email. We can negotiate. I am interested in getting that master audio version from Marcus.
10 - vojislav
Mr Derrick, Mr. Dinic, others... is there any progress concerning exchanging this Weather Report video from Belgrade Jazz Festival 1980? How it is possible to make email contact? Mr. Dinic, are you living in Belgrade?
11 - Derrick
Yea it's Derrick, contact me by going to amazon's website and type in the weather report box set, fortcast tomorrow. Find my review comment and at the end of it the site gives you an opportunity to comment to my review and we can contact each other that way further.