Low Blow

Victor Bailey | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 28, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lightyear
• ASIN: B00001SICG
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #243,549 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Lowblow

2. Sweet Tooth

3. City Living

4. Do You Know Who/Continuum

5. Knee-Jerk Reaction

6. She Left Me

7. Grahan Cracker

8. Babytalk

9. Feels Like A Hug

10. Brain Teaser

Editorial Reviews

From Jazziz

Remember way back in 1981, when skinny, Berklee-trained chopsmeister Victor Bailey took on the unenviable task of following the mighty Jaco Pastorius into Weather Report? The Philly-born musician - deeply influenced by Jaco, Stanley Clarke, and funk master Larry Graham - duly played like a mofo rising. Too bad Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul shifted into cruise control for the fusion band's final four records.

Nearly two decades later, and after countless mundane big-money gigs (i.e., Madonna, Mary J. Blige, the smooth-jazz brigade), the bassist gets his biggest artistic boost from the still effervescent spirit of Jaco, who died in 1987. Case in point: "Do You Know Who/Continuum," the soulful, haunting centerpiece of Bailey's first solo album since 1989's Bottom's Up. Bailey transcribed this Pastorius tune at age 16 and here retrofits its curious zigs and zags with lyrics that handily convey the impact of his early encounter with Jaco. "I've got to admit I was blown away / by the sound of his heart," Bailey sings, above his own four-string and overdubbed keyboards and the drumming of former Weather Report cohort Omar Hakim. "And it tore me apart / yet it gave me a brand-new start." It's a risky move that results in one of the smartest, sweetest, most moving of all tributes to the fallen genius.

Jaco also lurks in the grooves and moves of the title track, a chattering piece of fretboard frenzy, with Hakim and guitarist Wayne Krantz, that might have been inspired by "Teen Town." "Graham Cracker," a slap-and-tickle salute to the Graham Central Station dynamo, benefits from Kenny Garrett's righteous soprano sax. And "Baby Talk," a leisurely ballad, has the leader taking a straightahead stroll with drummer Dennis Chambers and pianist Jim Beard. Bailey, on the slow-funk turn "Feels Like a Hug" and practically everywhere else, blows like you knew he could and you hoped he would.

--Philip Booth, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bass Master, May 20, 2003

By 

Steve B. (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Low Blow (Audio CD)

I'm getting back into playing bass after many years and I've been listening to lots of CD's featuring bass players. This one is one of the best. Great groove playing, with an excellent band. Also the bass is up front in the mix without being overbearing so it makes listening to and stealing Victor's lines easy. This CD belongs in every bass player collection.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Victor, you hit me with a mean "Low Blow!", February 24, 2003

By 

Horace Morris (Wash., DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Low Blow (Audio CD)

After a ten year wait, Victor Bailey, bassist for the post-Jaco Weather Report and Zawinul Syndicate, is back with his second solo effort, "Low Blow."

Bailey isn't doing anything unique, laying down funky background grooves or extended soloing, it's his fluidity switching between the two styles that exudes an almost matchless confidence and virtuosity.

"Low Blow" is also a showcase for drummers Omar Hakim and Dennis Chambers. Hakim's flowing drum technique and precise cymbal work are evident on the title track, and "Sweet Tooth."

Chambers exhibits a relentless attack on what amounts to a 5:00 drum solo on "Brain Teaser." Hakim and Chambers remind me of two drummers who ruled Jazz/Fusion during its glory days in the seventies, Lenny White and Billy Cobham.

Hakim's style complements Bailey as he finds the pocket with a funky groove, Chambers' style fits Bailey when he takes off on an aggressive solo.

Bailey also pays tribute to two of his heroes, Jaco Pastorius and Larry Graham, with the tracks "Continuum" (lyrics and vocals by Bailey) and "Graham Cracker."

Bailey's debut album, "Bottoms Up", is also worth a listen.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I agree, February 16, 2006

By 

John Jackson (los angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Low Blow (Audio CD)

I more or less agree with alot of the previous reviews.

The music is ok, the musicianship is incredible.

First 3 tunes are excellent. Omar's drum solo on song 2 is incredible. He is one of the "cleanest" drummers out there. Song 3 is probably my favorite. The outro solo by Wayne Krantz is very tasty. Most of Krantz' material floating around out there is crazy over-the-top fusion with not much melody, so it's super cool to hear him jam over something a little more ear-friendly. He would just tear it up in a funk band.

Then the album goes downhill, WAY downhill. The Jaco song is just horrible. Very smooith jazz. The tunes are pretty much lackluster from then until the scorching finale.

The fusiony Latin tune has great bass solo, great guitar riffing and then Dennis doing what only he can do.

To reiterate what a previous review said, if you're a musician you'll probably love this album (at least half of it), otherwise probably not.

Victor, how's about a funk band with you, Omar, Wayne Krantz and Herbie? Just an idea...one that I'd love to see.