Truth is, Weather Report founders Wayne Shorter and especially Joe Zawinul had put swing into almost everything they played. Much of that swing may be masked by contemporary instruments and heavy African-based percussion, but when you deconstruct their songs, you can find it. A band that began life as a direct extension of the early fusion epics of former boss Miles Davis became a world fusion version of Count Basie by the time Pastorius joined the band in 1976 and immediately gave the group "Barbary Coast."
Upon revisiting this song and within this context, it becomes clear how much
Jaco Pastorius fit the vision of the group's principals even as he revolutionized the electric bass guitar. Just imagine how much he could have revolutionized jazz music as a whole if he had more time devoted toward writing. "Teen Town" and "Punk Jazz" hints at the unrealized potential... but so does "Barbary Coast."
Listen: Jaco Pastorius Big Band "Barbary Coast"
"One Track Mind" is a more-or-less weekly drool over a single song selected on a whim and a short thesis on why you should be drooling over it, too.
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Nice Review....I love the re-introduction stage to music that was once misunderstood. I like how you captured the epiphany with words.
*Here I go again*
...How come no Manring? They should've slatted a spot for him right there with Mr. Wooten. Especially, considering he was Mr. Pastorius' student. Sorry, I am quite the fanboy...
2 - Pico
Thanks for the comment, Brian. Yeah, the album has a lot of great moments but is far from perfect. Wooten's take on "Teen Town" really disappointed me, he was hot doggin' it too much. Jaco would not have been pleased, I suspect. Manring would most likely have done it better.