Footprints: The Life and Music of Wayne Shorter [Original recording remastered]

Wayne Shorter | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 16, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0006A9G72
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,639 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great compliation, but read the new biography, March 1, 2005

By 

SoundandFury (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Footprints: The Life and Music of Wayne Shorter (Audio CD)

We're accustomed to compilations such as this falling short, but this one actually does give you a sense of the depth and breadth of Wayne Shorter's career. Columbia made a sincere effort toward complete representation of his musical journey and scored a real licensing coup with "Aja"--though it's probably just a sign of how beloved Wayne is among musicians that even Steely Dan gave up its closely guarded material for him. I wonder if this compliation's connection to the new biography has anything to do with its success. Like a previous reviewer, I'd recommend checking it out: The Life and Work of Wayne Shorter, by Michelle Mercer. Mercer gets way inside Wayne S's far out imagination and explains how his music is the product of an original and questing mind. The book is highly entertaining and moving.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice introduction to a great talent, January 14, 2005

By 

It's Me, "Really" (Houston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Footprints: The Life and Music of Wayne Shorter (Audio CD)

One could make a case for Wayne Shorter as the best jazz composer of the post-bop eras. If not the greatest, he certainly makes the short list. Shorter has not previously been well-served by compilations since his best songs are spread out across several labels and different groups (solo projects, the Miles Davis Quintet, and Weather Report). This collection includes the highlights of all those eras plus some of his key sideman dates with Steely Dan and Joni Mitchell. I'm especially happy that his marvelous "Three Marias" song from the 1980's is included as it should be a standard. Shorter has so many years of great music that he would be better served by a comprehensive box set. However, since he is now in his 70's and still making great music, it might be preferable to wait a few more years before making one available. I've taken one star off due to overly bright mastering (to my ears). It's very apparent, especially on "Aja" and "Dry-Cleaner From Des Moines." Read the recently-released "Footprints" biography, which sheds light on the creation of all this beautiful music.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I Need A Box-Set! Please!!, January 8, 2005

By 

A. Davis "astandavis" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Footprints: The Life and Music of Wayne Shorter (Audio CD)

When I first heard that this compilation was coming out, I worried that the effort might come up short if the music was not packaged correctly to do justice to the complete artistry of Wayne Shorter. Mr. Shorter has earned the right to be packaged and presented as a "Jewel of Jazz". This two-disc presentation almost misses an opportunity to truly capture his genius and contributions to both global music and modern Jazz.

Like the "Portrait of Jaco" compilation of bassist Jaco Pastorious, I asked the question - Where is the third disc? Wayne has made so many different contributions to music, that a two-disc compilation might sell him short. This music could have easily been presented as a three dics package with each disc covering a unique prospective of Wayne's career. Disc One would cover the early Art Blakey & Solo Blue Note period. Disc Two would cover the Miles Davis and early Weather Report period. Disc three would cover Weather Report, Wayne's Brazillian recordings ,his solo projects of the 1980's and his contributions to other artist's work - like Joni Mitchell, Bill Laswell, Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan, Manhatten Project, Gil Evans, JJ Johnson, Santana and VSOP. And if there was a bonus fouth disc - it would cover the current quartet along with the selections from his last three recordings. I guess a four-disc box set would be required to do Wayne justice.

"Footprints" gives us a brief sampling of Wayne Shorter's contribution to our vast and diverse musical world. I can listen to this timeless music repeatedly, without ever tiring of its' depth and beauty. Wayne Shorter writes music that is stimulating & alive, and he always manages to stay fresh and ahead of current musical trends. His contributions to the growth and evolution of Jazz will be significant for years to come. I just wish that "Footprints" could have offered just a little more for first-time listeners. This artist deserves to be heard more, but this will due for now. Please check out Wayne's previous recordings - you will not be disappointed. His Blue Note and Columbia recording are worth adding to your collections. "Footprints" represents the tip of a very significant iceberg. Enjoy!!!