This Is This

Weather Report | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 2, 1989)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• Run Time: 45 minutes
• ASIN: B00000266B
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,838 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The problem with this disc . . ., September 14, 2007

By 

Jan P. Dennis "Longboard jazzer" (Monument, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: This Is This (Audio CD)

. . . is that it's almost impossible to encounter it objectively. That is, we approach it with all kind of expectations, none of which is likely to be met. Thus, the normal, and altogether understandably typical response, is a sort of shell-shocked denial--i.e., what the heck is going on here?

I admit, that was my first reaction.

For example (as other reviewers have pointed out), where's Wayne? Hardly present. How can you just sideline one of the most important composers/saxmen in the history of jazz? How come he's got no compositions? How come his sax is nearly non-existent (although it sneaks in, e.g., rather righteously, one must admit, on "I'll Never Forget You"--for me, a genuinely heartfelt and beautiful song--"Jungle Stuff, Part I," and a brief but brilliant foray on "Man With The Copper Fingers")?

The latter two, in my humble opinion, are entirely on board with classic Weather Report songs. Indeed, this whole disc fairly reeks of authentic WR vibes, even if it doesn't quite rise to the height of classic recordings such as Mysterious Traveler, Heavy Weather, and Black Market.

It's entirely understandable that reviewers typically relegate this disc to the dustbin of WR outings, in face of the impossibly high standards set by the greatest the bands' greatest recordings and the disconcertingly problematic features contained herein. But I'm coming to the opinion--reluctantly, it must be admitted, given my initial huge disappointment--that this disc is a whole lot better than it's generally given credit for being.

In fact, I'm almost tempted to give it a full five stars, as crazy as that might seem: I'm so taken by its rare, hypnotic, crazy groove.

Moreover, it's just fun, once you get rid of the overblown expectations.

Listen: it's OK to like--even love--this odd disc; I do, and I'm a top Amazon jazz reviewer. I'm giving you permission to go ahead and admit that you really dig this disc despite its weirdness and departure from WR norms.

OK? ****1/2, maybe even *****.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Farewell, May 15, 2003

By 

Mortrude Sluurp "Morty" (Poughkeepsie, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Is This (Audio CD)

While the knock on this CD is that it was put together solely to fulfill contractual obligations and so contains uninspired writing and playing, there is still much to enjoy, if one can look beyond expectations.

Wayne Shorter may be missing from most of the CD, but when he shows up, it is worth the wait. His short, intense solo on "Jungle Stuff Pt 1" is, as always, brilliant. The fact that you wish it were longer is testament to this fact. The tune itself is catchy, falling generally into the "World Music" category of WR tunes.

The other highlight is Carlos Santana. Guitar was never a key part of WR (Ralph Towner notwithstanding), but here Santana generates a lot of heat on the title track and contributes a great solo on "Man with Copper Fingers." The sound IS different than prior WR, but is that necessarily bad?

Try listening without the WR expectations and see....there is a LOT of music out there that is far, far worse than this.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars no no no, September 9, 2004

By 

M. Detko "detkoralph" (Scarborough, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: This Is This (Audio CD)

Wayne and Zawinul both wanted to end WR because they wanted to do solo work and WR took up lots of their time. Especially Zawinul, who usually had the most work putting together the material. This was a mutual finish to a beautiful legacy, and there are one or two outstanding cuts on this album. You may make it your last WR album, but don't pass it over.