The thirteen
tracks on ‘Word of Mouth Revisited’ cover, as a tribute, much of Jaco
Pastorius’ prolific and diverse career that began in the 1970s, when
he made his solo debut, through to the late 80s. Along the way he
worked with Peter Graves, Pat Metheney, Joni Mitchell and Weather
Report and other well known names. A five-year stint with the Peter
Graves Orchestra gave him an opportunity to write, arrange and otherwise
expand the role and potential of the electric bass. As Christian McBride
says, ‘If you play the electric bass you have come through Jaco. He
made innovations on the instrument that had never been made before
him, if you want to make a true statement. Nobody has ever innovated
on that instrument like Jaco Pastorius.’
Pastorius died
in September, 1987. ‘Word of Mouth Revisited,’ recorded earlier this
year is a tribute recorded to his legacy featuring the ‘re-christened’
Jaco Pastorius Big Band. The fourteen-piece ensemble is under the
direction of Pastorius’ old friend Peter Graves and features guest
appearances by nine of the most talented electric bass players on
the contemporary jazz scene – Victor Bailey, Richard Bona, Jeff Carswell,
Jimmy Haslip, Christain McBride, Marcus Miller, David Pastorius, Gerald
Veasley and Victor Wooten. Pastorius is featured here on Herbie Hancock’s
‘Wiggle Waggle’ – his bass part being extracted from a live concert
recorded several years ago. Other early recordings were also extracted
to make up the eight ‘Jaco Speaks’ tracks.
The pre-release
publicity described this album as, ‘Inspired by the music and spirit
of Jaco Pastorius, ‘Word of Mouth Revisited’ is possibly the most
impressive line-up of bass virtuosity ever assembled to date.’ I certainly
agree and not only that the standard of the accompanying musicians
is of the highest calibre.
Jack Ashby
CD Reviews
HUCD3078
