Bass Guitar Magazine UK, Jan/Feb 2004

			More press: Bass Guitar UK, Jan/Feb 2004 Bass Player, Oct. 2003 Jazziz, Apr. 2003 Adlib, Apr. 2003 Bassics, Dec. 2002 Adlib, Sept. 2002 Jazz Magazine, July 2002 Guitar Club, Apr. 2002 JazzTimes, Apr. 2002 Vibrations, Mar. 2002 Bass Magazine, Mar. 2002 JazzTimes Preview JazzTimes, Feb. 2002 Bass Player, Jan. 2002 Bass Player, Sept. 1997

The January/February issue of Bass Guitar Magazine UK, is one of the most elaborate magazine spreads on Jaco to date. Prominently featured on the cover, and spanning some eighteen pages, it addresses Jaco's entire career and brings various perspectives on Jaco's playing and music from a variety of musicians, writers, and family members. The most notable piece in my opinion is an article written by guitarist Dann Glenn. Here Dann shares his feelings about Jaco's playing past and present, he assesses Jaco's contributions to music, and he expresses grave concerns about how his legacy is being mistreated.

Aside from the obvious fact that he praises POJ, including props to the producer, I think it's a great article. Check it out »

Storm Chasers, Bootleggers & The World's Greatest Anthology
by Dann Glenn

Strip away the high-tech gear and antennas crammed into and jutting from their vehicles, and you've got a common denominator that is above and beyond the noble quest for knowledge. That would be an addiction to danger, and a fascination with tragedy. Personally I've grown weary of the journalistic storm chasers, especially those who have focused ever so tightly on, ultimately enhancing the darker troubled times of one of the greatest musicians the world will ever know, the late great Jaco Pastorius. Unfortunately the later years of Jaco's life, though still terribly misunderstood, have served the storm chasers well, but in reality, those later years are relatively insignificant in reference to the brilliant and revolutionary contributions Jaco's life has made to the world of music. I'm no more into revisionist history than I am censorship, yet I'm much more attracted to warm spring rains, gorgeous sunsets, and gazing at the stars than I am to tornados. In other words there is a much more beautiful picture and meaningful time during which John Francis Pastorius III was developing as a person, virtuoso, composer, and ultimately an icon that would forever change the face of music.

Since Jaco's untimely death the market, and yes black market, has been glutted with countless live recordings that supposedly provide the last opportunities to hear great performances by a legendary musician. However, these substandard bootlegs capture nothing more than the fading light of a once proud champion in his decline. Usually restricted to collectors and traders these kinds of recordings exist in every legends subculture, but what's really disappointing is that somehow these mono cassette jam sessions are somehow finding their way into Jaco's essential releases in music stores. I have been overwhelmed with sadness at times when contemplating this phenomenon; a runaway train with no engineer. It seems that Jaco's legacy is becoming the cake in McArthur's Park with all the sweet green icing flowing down. What should be a beautiful commemorative coin is being reduced down into nothing more than a token right before our eyes. What about all of the good times? What about all of the creative years leading up to and during Jaco's wonderful, and revolutionary impact on not just bass, but modern music? At this time I'm happy to say, not just as a player/composer, or even as a friend of Jaco's, but as a true admirer of his gift, that finally there exists the definitive anthology that Jaco Pastorius' legacy truly deserves; the audio biography, "Portrait of Jaco - the Early Years."

Just like the Cavalry showing up at the last possible moment of a losing battle, POJ has arrived with all the strength and courage of the 101st. Who knew such a documentation existed, or was even possible? I for one was caught totally by surprise, blind-sided! Even though I had heard about some recordings of Jaco's early years, I was in no way prepared for what I was about to experience; an absolutely wonderful and refreshing story conveyed with incredible new music. In my opinion, never has there been a more fulfilling, or historically important release dedicated to the life and times of any musical legend. Hopefully now Jaco's legacy will find its proper perspective and flourish unboundedly.

Before Jaco, the electric bass guitar was perceived sonically as kind of an extension of the bass drum that produced a pitch. It was more or less felt, not really heard. Then suddenly there was a musician on the scene who not only played the bass with jaw-dropping technique, but with the deepest humanity that reached up out of music and touched the very soul. When Jaco played you could feel his heart beating and sense the blood running through his veins. How do you walk in the night? You become the night. How do you play the bass? You become the bass, and this Jaco seemed to have achieved. The bass guitar in his hands was like an extension of his own being with musical ideas flowing effortlessly, continuously, and spiritually. His concentration was focused like some kind of transcendental beam that was taking information in from the other side; information no one else was privy to no matter how hard they tried, or how well they listened. Jaco was indeed one of a kind, and the way the separate components of his genius fit together created a completely original and never before known stream of consciousness that inspired us all. Yes, his unbridled abandon was what knocked down the wall thus giving bass players forever more permission and sanction if you will, to view and play the bass in a completely new light. As a direct result of Jaco's presence the electric bass was destined to grow into a much more versatile and stylistic instrument. Basses with five, six, and even more strings being added to the mix, was an inevitable side-effect of the "big bang" that Jaco's appearance on the international music scene produced. Sonically - technically - artistically, everything changed almost overnight, and for a millennium into the future his impact will be felt throughout music. As Pat Metheny has said, "Jaco significantly changed the course of music in the last quarter of the 20th Century, thus altering the musical landscape forever." In short, he single-handedly began a sub harmonic revolution. I'm convinced though, as are many, that Jaco would have risen to greatness regardless of his chosen instrument.

During the early years portrayed in the POJ anthology, you'll find Jaco venturing throughout South Florida like some kind of musical bee, taking in nectar from a wide variety of flowers, carefully choosing and eventually accumulating an enormous amount of exotic pollen. All who were artistically involved with him during this period played their part in his evolution and could not help from being challenged, if not bettered by his presence. He brought out the best in all those he played with, and touched each and every one of their lives in his own special way. It's quite evident from hearing his earliest recordings that there was a common thread connecting Jaco's awareness and command of rhythm, harmony, arranging, and orchestration. Though I am blessed to have known Jaco, and consider myself relatively well versed in his history, after listening to POJ I found myself walking away not only with an uplifted spirit and fresh perspective, I actually learned many things I never knew about Jaco. I feel strongly this wonderfully produced anthology will teach those first learning of Mr. Pastorius, about the man, his life, and his music, allowing them to come to their own conclusion that Jaco is a legend rather than coming to know him through the over-romanticized myth full of half-truths, darkness, and innuendo. Those of us that know about Jaco, or perhaps based on my own experience thought we knew about Jaco, will also come away from POJ with a strong feeling of sentimental pride because of our devout appreciation for his music. This release will undoubtedly serve as a cure all for everything negative that has been lingering around since Jaco's untimely death. Strong medicine for an ailing legacy.

Many, many years after my generation is on the other side, "Portrait of Jaco - The Early Years" will remain a meaningful and factual account of the life and times of John Francis Pastorius' III. This is real history drenched in inertia, class, truth, unbiased observations, and ultimately the undeniable extrapolation of just how special Jaco Pastorius was. Although POJ contains extremely rare and never-before-heard recordings of Jaco during his early years, its real charm comes through the endearing spoken-word reflections by Jaco's family, friends, colleagues, and the great musical icons he played with. We also hear from the man himself. How I loved hearing his voice again. This brilliantly crafted audio biography is awe-inspiring on multiple levels and I'm confident that it will quickly and forever become the standard for all things Jaco. I now realize that Jaco's life-long friend Bob Bobbing, was the only person on this planet who could have achieved such a triumph; a labor of love mission well done. All in all, "Portrait of Jaco - The Early Years" highlights Jaco Pastorius' contributions to the Arts and humanity and is an undeniable affirmation of his musical genius.

Yeah, this is the real deal we've all been waiting for...whether we knew it or not.

Dann Glenn / 2003