Customer Reviews

Jaco

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

.......Milkowski's book is an effort that should be applauded by all who pick up its pages. When I first looked at the intro to the book, I found it a fascinating look into the genius and tragedy of this landmark musician. Unlike others, who have stated that the book falls short in examining Jaco's psychological short comings and mental closet skeletons, I found the read not to be wanting in any area describing his life. Not only is it a book that is I feel is mandatory reading for any music lover.........it is a book that even the non musician can appreciate as well. The shock and saddness in which the stories unfold make the subject of Jaco as a performer simply a compelling story which the reader begins to empathize with Jaco but feels the same helplessness as those within the book while reading along to the inevitable conclusion. An easy read, and I've read that book at least 3 or 4 times and still pick it up to refer to some of the of profound statements and observation about not only Jaco's life........but the with human experience in all of us as well...Finally, this book (as a screenplay) would make an unbelievable movie ....Kudos to Bill...........RIP Jaco

There is no doubt that Jaco was the baddest cat ever to sling an electric bass around his shoulder. The proof is in the pudding: check out any of his recordings, and you will hear a master of the groove like no other. Dazzling technique, yet so darned FUNKY!

Having read biographies of Charlie Parker, I was struck by the similarities between the two who died far too young. Both lived to excess and died as a result of their debilitating addictions. And both turned the jazz world on its ear with their exhilharating innovations.

I found this book to be pretty inspirational, at least in terms of Jaco's virtuosity. It is also an interesting tale about how NOT to live. Nevertheless, I found Milkowski's style to be to more like a lengthy DownBeat article than what one might expect in a 200+ page biography. I wish that he had probed Jaco's psychological problems more, offering some more in-depth analysis on what led him to such a self-destructive lifestyle. Rather, he spends little time on the precursors of Jaco's mental illness, and prefers to give anecdotes and concrete examples of his drug and alcohol problems. True, he goes into some explicit detail about Jaco's binges, but says far too little about Jaco's severely pathological narcissism, which seems to have fueled his frustrations. What led to Jaco's grandiosity? Truly, he had a world class personality disorder, yet Milkowski pretty much ignores this.

Maybe I expect too much; Milkowski is a music writer, not a shrink, but when psychopathology is so extreme, I think a more analytical account is more than warranted. Maybe someone else will eventually tackle the psyche of who who Peter Erskine's psychiatrist father described to a fellow psychiatrist upon Jaco's stay at Bellevue, "the most challenging case you will ever see."

But all that aside, the book is a quick and enjoyable read, and anything about Jaco is probably worthwhile.

Mr. Milkowski did a marvelous job of telling the story of "The World's Greatest Bass Player". It made me sad to read, though.

I gave this review the title "Heartbreaking" because I knew Jaco. We were not close freinds, but I used to run into him often; we both lived in New York City. Now, everyone who lived in NYC at the time had a "Jaco Story"; some outrageous anecdote of his antics. But I'd like to share something a bit different.

One night Jaco and I were hanging out in the Village. He and I were talking, mostly about music. But in the midst of the conversation, he told me "You know, I tell people that I like to party and take chances; but the truth is I wish I could give up drinking and drugs. But I don't know how". I didn't know what to tell him, and I don't remember how I replied; nor can I say what prompted him to say this to me.

Four years later he left town and never returned.

Despite his demons and his sickness; in addition to Jaco being an astonishing musician, he was, when he was "himself", a really nice and likeable guy.

Jaco was the greatest bass player the world has ever known.

I met him when I got to NYU; he gave a friend bass lessions in the mid 1980's; we listen to him in the park between classes whenever he was plugged in; he played basketball in the neighborhood, and made collect calls to Paul Butterfield from the Red Lion to goof on him. He was the certainly the candle that burned brightest downtown. And when he jammed in at the Lone Star when it was on 5th avenue, it would burn your hair off!

The guy would jump from table to table with a wireless, fretless bass running riffs that were just the most remarkable thing you could ever hear (check him out on Joni Mitchel's Live album with Pat Metheney and M. Brecker).

He also got caught up in hard drugs, and it was sad to watch him around Washington Square between classes, as he was falling apart. And when my neighbor, a bar back at the Hard Rock at the time, came home to tell me who his new bass teacher was, I almost fell down. He'd use the small change to get fixed.

When he died, we were sick all day.

I am so glad this book was written, and with that title because it is certainly true. And I am the frustrated musician who would know! RIP Jaco-- GREAT Title!

Bill Milkowski's admirable attempt to chronicle the life (and death) of Jaco Pastorius, arguably the world's greatest electric bass player, captures the early years in Jaco's development extremely well. As the young bass prodigy grows into manhood, one cannot help but to look ahead to the day when talent of such magnitude is rewarded with due respect and admiration. Unfortunately, such accolades prove not to be enough to keep Jaco from -- and perhaps even contribute to -- a decade-long decline of alcohol, drugs, and worst of all, manic depression. Milkowski rightfully deplores the abandonment which Jaco faced in his most difficult times, yet honestly notes the lengths to which many of Jaco's friends go in order to give him opportunity after opportunity to straighten out. These middle chapters constitute a sad progression from bad to worse, during which Milkowski reports so many one-step forward, two-steps-back incidents that the redundancy plays like a two-chord ditty. Only Jaco's death from a nightclub beating, and the resulting aftershock it leaves in the jazz world, sober the reader into appreciating the full extent of the tragedy. In addition, throughout the book Milkowski makes brief references to a sort of death wish on Jaco's part, which serves to make the tale only more agonizing. Ironically, however, it is this martyrdom that contributes most significantly to the immortality of his musical legacy. In one incident, a strange parallel to the death of Christ, Jaco tells Carlos Santana, "I'm dead." Eleven years later, thanks in part to Milkowski, nothing could be further from the truth.

I finished this book thinking that Bill Milkowski was just way too close to his subject to do a true biography - at times, particularly towards the end, it becomes "my life with Jaco". However, that closeness does give Milkowski some insights into Jaco's personality that another author probably wouldn't have. Milkowski correctly recognizes that one of Jaco's greatest problems was the people surrounding him. One striking thing about the book was how many people close to Jaco blamed the "system" for failing Jaco (the author included), yet amazingly, how his family allowed a total stranger to convince a judge to release him under his own recognizance, 4 days before he received the fatal beating at the Midnight Bottle Club. However, unlike the treatment of John Belushi in Wired or Jim Morrison in No One Here Gets Out Alive, Milkowski avoids mythologyzing. Milkowski recognizes that when a supremely talented person destroyes himself, it's not heroic, it's tragic.

I was first turned on to Jaco while listening to some live Weather Report tracks. It wasn't his note choice, or speed that initially impressed me, but his ability to lock into Peter Erskine's groove and move the song by dropping a couple beats here and speeding up a little there. Jaco always played for the song, which led to me to look into his life.

His childhood is interesting to see how gifted he was. It is apparent by the interviews of his brother and friends that he certainly had a god given knack for music. He would learn songs by ear very quickly and practiced the bass hours a day when he began. Arguably, the most forgotten portion of his life was his early days on tour where he honed his skills on the road. Jaco would later get gigs with the greatest fusion players in the world, but his personal life is highlited throughout the book showing how he could not cope with reality while in severe bouts of depression and it ultimately led to his tragic demise at the hands of a bouncer.

This book is strongly recommended for any fan of music, but this book is absolutely essential for any bassist the life of Jaco is like the life of Jesus to Christians. His life will enlighten and sadden you while gaining knowledge of some of the most amazing music Americans have produced.

This is THE book to read if you want know anything or everything about Jaco Pastorius. I have read it three times. It features a very well-presented and good period-covered story that will catch your attention immediately. At the end of the book there's a list of all official recordings Jaco did as a sideman and as a leader, and a 24-page epilogue where everyone from Dr. John and Carlos Santana to Joe Zawinul and Rashied Ali tell their own stories and thoughts about Jaco.
A suitable amount of rare pictures and a TON of stories told by musicians, friends and family are included throughout the book. This is information you are not likely to find anywhere else. If you think you know everything about Jaco and haven't read this book you either knew him very well or you're way off.
The book is easy to read and easy to understand for die-hard Jaco fans as well as for people who are just being introduced to the genius.
In my edition (released in 1996,) a CD with 3 tracks from the Birthday Concert is included, but I don't know if the CD is included in newer editions...
Anyway...don't hesitate...it's $10!

Jaco Pastorius was one of the greatest jazz bassists that ever lived. his rise to stardom with WEATHER REPORT and WORD OF MOUTH asssured his mark in history. Yet, this book, excellently written by Mr. Bill Milkowski shows how pressures in personal and professional life can change a person into a shell of what they once had been. Mr. Milkowski has written this book in a format that is very personable; it is like you know Jaco Pastorius. As a musician myself, I do feel that this book can be difficult for those who have no knowlege of jazz or music to catch on to the theory and jargon that is within the text. But, it is certainly vital for those who wish to learn more about Jaco the artist and Jaco the man.

I was blown away by this book. It was soooo detailed. It went in-depth in every decade of his life. From his childhood to clubbin' to road gigs to fame even to very personal stuff. There are a lot of great photographs too. Being the HUGE Jaco fan I am I will read this book probably a few 100 times before I die. It keeps you interested in every chapter. I really like how Milkowski got so many bandmates and friends to come in and talk for the book. This is easily the best source out there for any Jaco seekers. Absolutely a masterpiece. We all love you and miss greatly Jaco!!!!! You live with us forever man!!!!!