Should You Stop Listening to Jaco? | EP36 | The SBL Podcast

172 | EP36 | Should You Stop Listening to Jaco?
Jaco Pastorius is arguably the most ground-breaking electric bassist in history, and at some point we’ve all been propelled to chase down a way to get that sound! But have you ever worried about becoming just another Jaco-alike bass player? In today’s episode Ian and Scott discuss whether it’s time to stop listening to the greatest bass player who has ever lived.
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[@admarhermans1]

I really love Jaco’s work as a sideman the most. Like on ‘Bright size life’ with Pat Metheny and all the Joni Mitchell albums (I used to watch the live VHS of ‘Shadow and Light’ in full every morning before I went to school, 😂!)

[@shelleyberry188]

We still have our Jaco elementary bass lesson booklet. "Stop listening to Jaco"? There can be only one answer to that question - hell no! 🎸🎸💗💗💪🏽💪🏽

[@andrewpinner3181]

Thanks guys for another great video. I'm a bit late on this one, just looking back over some earlier stuff l missed.

[@bassnsax]

For me, I think what helped me latch on to Jaco was getting into some fusion bands - like Spyro Gyra - before listening to Jaco. Some pretty great fretless playing on their albums. I love Jaco and his playing, but I'm not chasing his tone with my fretless J-bass.

[@ebensf]

Scott if you do listen to Dillinger Escape Plan please check out the track ‘Panasonic Youth’. It’s a great example of what you guys discussed about getting a visceral reaction. Great podcast. Cheers!

[@teresaravenshaw5477]

I just listened to Donna Lee for the first time and now I'm done listening to Jaco, and I'm older than Scott and Ian. If I want to listen to a fretless player, I'll go put on some Bauhaus or Japan, both sound more musical.

[@Simon-C]

I’m glad you like Yorkshire Folk , Scott. I’m one of those. It is probably an advantage, nay pre-requisite , for living in Leeds.

[@brandonmalone1893]

I thought it was noise too until I got older...then I really heard it the better my ears got. Now it's one of the most amazing songs I've heard

[@juanbassist31]

Minute 9. I think it was Alain Caron who said that, not GW. Great content!!

[@rowdyroddy519]

I did a similar thing.... I listened to Jaco plenty and learned several tunes..... but then I resisted learning any more Jaco material for maybe 10 years. I still listened to it... I just purposely didn't learn more of it, for that exact same reason. Didn't want to be thought of as a Jaco clone. Then, when I felt I could learn more tunes. without it influencing my own voice, I learned more of his material. I felt I appreciated it more, as I understood jazz harmony better, and it wasn't just about his technique, but also about Jaco's composing, and arranging talent.

[@ruffian1868]

Congas fellas.......Congas ! ;) It was Jeff Berlin who resisted listening to Jaco. Incidentally Mick Karn copped a lot of flak for supposedly ripping Jaco off ? Mick didn't listen to Jaco until much later in his life. He is still my favourite fretless player (he to me sounded like no one else). Great work guys :)

[@MrAKbass]

Exactly, the late Mick Karn wasn't influenced by Jaco at all (hence his authentic voice on the instrument)

[@luismandlate2763]

Awesome, fun and eclectic podcast. Keep up the good work guys 🙏

[@JAK0449]

with the Clash I dared start music and bass at 17 and play gigs 2 months after in front of all my high school, Jaco help me to get to another level and intend a jazz school to really start to evolve musically...So , everything is good, tastes are just conditionnings....judgents are just ego..no matter the music it is what you feel and do with it...Reggae is so cool too!! for me, all the music between 1955 and 1995 is absolutely the best!!

[@manlioyllades]

In the 80's I was playing with a band alternating with another. Once the bass player told me "Man! You sound like Stanley Clarke!". You know what I did? I stopped listening to Stan for years. But to answer the question the answer is "No".

[@blueconfluence7851]

Punk has a lot of great basslines, e.g. check the older stuff by „Bad Religion“ from the album Against the grain, Suffer or No Control. I’m pritty sure you will like it y lot, maybe you made a video or interview which the bassplayer named Jay Bentley it’s a great dude 🤘🎸⚡️

[@BrentODell]

My only complaint/concern with Jaco is when people say something along the lines of 'greatest bassist who will ever live'. It always sounds so defeatist and limiting to me.

[@PARAMONARIOS]

I still haven’t listened to Jaco

[@JAK0449]

I love Jaco and I love tha Clash!!!

[@kmrumedy]

On the Jaco fast. I think Gary said he learned Jaco then put it aside and moved on. Something to that effect. I believe it was in your Jeff Berlin interview where Jeff said he didn't learn Jaco's stuff.

[@dantelamusta]

Fuck yeah with the Dillinger Escape Plan name drop! Still one of the most incredible heavy bands in the world! They constantly on repeat in my car. Scott, if you like melody, the vocalist went solo after Dillinger broke up and his album, Mirrorcell is great! Also highly recommend new Black MIDI for newer prog rock and Idles for punk!

[@teresaravenshaw5477]

I'm happy if I can play in the vein of the players I listen to, with my own twist. I don't listen to jazz, that's fine, it's actually not essential to being a bassist.

[@peter_king]

Scott! Where’s your wild shirt?

[@stefano21022]

Could it have been Michael Manring?

[@aristidescavalcante3516]

Congas, not bongos. 😇

[@genegleckner2732]

Looney tunes even made a character after Jocko named wacko just like him with a beanie on his head and everything

[@maliwilliams7262]

YESSSSSS!!! (Or You'll be like Everyone ELSE!!!)

[@tonymartin6199]

Yes. He innovated totally but wasnt perfect either and there are other players stronger in things like groove and taste. Listen to them all n dont worship jus learn. :)

[@cameronbradley9828]

ANGELA

[@Shira2]

Theres no other instrument where you are told to avoid someone like Jaco. As a saxophonist its known that you copy until you make it your own. The Bass world has this stupid notion that if you copy Jaco you are going to sound like him. In my opinion your an ignoramus if you dont cooy Jaco, Dunn, Jamerson,Ray Brown and who ever else. You will always be yourself and since music is an oral language copying emulating is a part of gaining facility and your language. Copy Jaco, take licks make them your own. Nobody told Jaco hey man stop copying charlie parker and trane. Bassist have a weird inferiority complex. Learn the language lift and cooy you will always end up sounding like yourself. I personally love hearing people copy jaco it takes skill and if you can execute it musically in the right context it siunds amazing like Trane and Parker licks on saxophone or trumpet players coping Gillespie, Farmer, Miles etc. play what you like, absorb it until it becomes your own.

[@narupickles7982]

dont really get all the giggling in the beginning. like you make a statement then start giggling where there is literally no comedic context

[@tobiulm5540]

I can't understand it. I'm a bassist for 28 years (at least i try to be) and I can't stand Pastorius and I can't get it that this should be the goat. It's so subjective. And notes, harmonics and theory are great, but when it's not grooving you missed something as a bassist. And this is what I hear when i listen to Jaco. No groove.

[@stanls265]

Jaco had some of the greatest and funkiest grooves! "Come On, Come Over"

[@paulrodberg]

The chicken?

[@craigs19721972]

You have no ears.