Now here’s something interesting and amazing. Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo has put together a documentary about the life of the intensely amazing bass wunderkind Jaco Pastorius. The soundtrack rounds up some of Jaco’s best work with some new interpretations by artists as various as Rodrigo y Gabriela and rapper Tech N9ne.
This collection really works as a showcase for just how amazing a bassist and composer Jaco was, gathering up some of Jaco’s greatest hits including “Come On, Come Over” from his debut solo album, some of his session work with the likes of Ian Hunter and Joni Mitchell, as well as his time with Weather Report,
Some of Jaco’s most well-loved compositions – such as “Teen Town” and “Portrait Of Tracy” – are here. The latter is a stunningly beautiful solo piece that defies all the rules of what a bass player can do! The ferocious intensity of “Crisis” is really something to behold and marvel at. I mean, the things going on inside Jaco’s head were probably more than any normal man could handle. “Liberty City” is a full-on big band assault with some of the mellowest bass playing heard on a track. The combination of steel pans and harmonica only add to the overall eccentricity of the track. But that was one Jaco’s best strengths: taking completely different instruments and making them work as part of an ensemble. The world beat and very moody and relaxing “Okonkole y Trompa” is one of those songs that will calm you down after a stressful and hectic work week.
The soothing voice of Jaco’s oldest child Mary really brings to life her beautiful original song “Longing,” one of the best newer tracks present here. Unfortunately, the rest of the originals/interpretations are kind of weak. Though Tech N9ne’s track does sample a Jaco original, his flow and everything else about the track are so uninspired that they bring the rest of the record down.
It’s impossible to bring Jaco back from the afterlife, but the documentary and the accompanying soundtrack do their best to represent his spirit and the amazing musical legacy he left behind. There had never been a bassist like Jaco before and it’s doubtful there will ever be another…