Mike Bear Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 I read the Jaco book about 6 months ago. Thought it was good. Not pristine in writing quality, but good stuff. I feel I learned a lot. Last week, I finally bought the Jaco S/T album on CD. Because well...... I don't listen to cassettes anymore. The remaster is very freaking good. Sometimes remasters can suck. So Pat Metheny writes the insert. In the closing he refers to a bad biography on Jaco. The book is the only one I can think of. Any people know why he would think this? I don't believe everything I read. I do know one thing. Pat wasn't painted in the best light as to his desire to work with Jaco in the long run. I understand his plight. But, I wonder if it's bitterness. Or if it really was B.S. Anybody here know what I'm talking about? Mike Bear Artisan-Vocals/Bass Instructor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddiePlaysBass Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 There has been some criticism on the Jaco bio. I don't know why really; some people say that the author (his name eludes me) rewrote part of Jaco's history... Personally, I think it came across as fairly objective. The guy was obviously an acquaintance, and maybe even a dear friend to Jaco. It will be interesting to see where this thread leads "I'm a work in progress." Micky Barnes The Ross Brown Shirt World Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edendude Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 I read and enjoyed the book this year, too. There has been a lot of criticism of that bio, however. Many feel it was sensationalized, and focused too much on the dark side of Jaco's life and his problems with mental illness, and not enough on the music and his beautiful creative spirit. There is an expanded edition of the book due out this year. Here's the link to the discussion thread that followed my review of the book, back in October... http://www.musicplayer.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=009916#000000 The ISBN is (087930426X), for anyone who may be interested. The author's name is 'Bill Milkowski', and the title is simply 'JACO'. My Last Band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bear Posted January 19, 2005 Author Share Posted January 19, 2005 Edendude, Thanks for the link to the other thread. Everyone who posts here should read that thread. I notice one thing about the author. He was more invovled in the story towards the end of Jaco's life. He's poised as a charactor in the book more frequently. Maybe that's what he knows first hand best. Mike Bear Artisan-Vocals/Bass Instructor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan South Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Originally posted by Edendude: There has been a lot of criticism of that bio, however. Many feel it was sensationalized, and focused too much on the dark side of Jaco's life and his problems with mental illness, and not enough on the music and his beautiful creative spirit. I thought that the book was dreadful for this very reason. It's like being asked to speak at someone's funeral and then trashing them for everything that they did wrong and never mentioning all of the things that they did wonderfully. On the rare occasion where the book talks about Jaco's bass playing, the author makes it sound like Jaco didn't have a unique idea in his life, that he stole all of his techniques from other bass players. Maybe he was influenced by others, but the fusion of techniques and the vision that he showed in their application were his own, not to mention BRILLIANT and LEGENDARY. There is an expanded edition of the book due out this year. Maybe the author will redeem himself. I don't know how the guy sleeps at night. The Black Knight always triumphs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Hoffman Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 I think the true biography lies within the music, no? "The world will still be turning when you've gone." - Black Sabbath Band site: www.finespunmusic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edendude Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Well said! My Last Band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddiePlaysBass Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Personally, I took the book for what it was : a good read. There's 3 sides to every story (if not more) and you'll always get different viewpoints and opinions. "I'm a work in progress." Micky Barnes The Ross Brown Shirt World Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edendude Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Yeah... I can see how opinions can go both ways on this book, but that certainly would not deter me from recommending it. I enjoyed it thoroughly. One of the best parts of the book, in my opinion, is the quotes section. With quotes and anecdotes from many of the musicians who worked with Jaco over the years. And the list is a long and auspicious one, to say the least. Joni Mitchell, Mike Stern, Peter Erskine, Don Alias, and dozens of others. My Last Band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsanders Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 I thought that it was a great read, I just finished it a few weeks ago. The best thing about it to me was reading where Jaco's playing originated. I loved everything mentioned about his early days in Fl. Good read! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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