'The Legendary Live Tapes: 1978-1981' proves that Weather Report owned late '70s fusion
In these never before heard recordings, Weather Report demonstrates an artisan crafting of the music that defined an era.
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? The early 1970s emergence of fusion was a polarizing paradigm shift in the jazz world, and Weather Report was at the forefront of the movement. Combining the energy of rock with the improvisation of free Jazz and the melodic sensibility of bebop, fusion was both adored and reviled by fans and performers. In these incredible and never before heard recordings, Weather Report demonstrates an artisan crafting of the music that defined the era. Recorded onto cassette during several tours, the collection captures the band free of overdubs and studio manipulation, just as the audience heard it.
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? ?? Main members keyboardist Joe Zawinul (Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis), Wayne Shorter on sax (Miles Davis, Art Blakey), bass player Jaco Pastorius (Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, etc.) and drummer Peter Erskine (Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson) each brought a wealth of experience and talent to the combo. With secondary percussionist Robert Thomas Jr., the concerts were showcases of both solo and combined virtuosity. Each performer has a few moments in the spotlight, and Pastorius’ bass pieces particularly stand out. Whether tearing into a frantic improve on “Gibraltar” or exploring the gentle enticing melody of Zawinul’s synthesizer opus “A Remark You Made”, Weather Report consistently proves that the group owned fusion in that era. With four discs and over four hours of complex, beautiful, and sometimes challenging music, The Legendary Live Tapes is a bit much to digest in one continuous listen, but like a fine whisky, it is best savored over time.
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? ★★★★☆