Scooter Chronicles

Weather Report - “Black Market”

Tracks:

1. Black Market
2. Cannon Ball
3. Gibraltar
4. Elegant People
5. Three Clowns
6. Barbary Coast
7. Herandnu

I know that most Weather Report fans, or even just fans of fusion, would probably pick “Heavy Weather” over this one. But I had this one long before I had heard “HW”. And it has just stuck with me over the years.

The picture below was featured on the back side of the album cover. Alphonso Johnson had actually started recording the album as the band’s bass player. After a break for the Christmas holidays while recording, Johnson decided to leave. Jaco only played on “Cannon Ball” and “Barbary Coast”.

(From left): Wayne Shorter (sax), Alejandro “Alex” Acuña (percussion), Jaco Pastorius (bass), Joe Zawinul (keys), and Chester Thompson (drums).

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that Weather Report was the only fusion band, during the heyday of the genre, that didn’t have a guitarist. I love guitar, but I think this fact set them above even the likes of others. Plus Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul (the key members) seemed to have kept the band closer to jazz then to rock.

Another plus is the trio of bass players that were a part of Weather Report. Miroslav Vitous, Johnson, and Pastorius were arguably the best in the business. Of course, Jaco is probably the best electric bass player the world has ever seen. He is quite possibly the most popular, too. OK, maybe second to Paul McCartney.

The album opener is the title track. It starts off so slow and quiet that you are turning up the volume to hear the intricacies that are going on. Before you know it, they reach a huge crescendo (and you are turning down the volume). It is just awesome! Then it all settles back down and ends about as quietly as it began, and with fireworks nonetheless. As great as all the tracks are, it is my favorite track on the album.

The album has great dynamics throughout. The constant up and down sends you through all kinds of musical emotions. It also has some funk. And we all know that’s always a good thing. It is such a fun album to listen to. I dare anyone to listen to “Gibraltar” and not want to start moving and dancing around, or even just tapping their foot. There are plenty of different rhythms and sounds, and some Latino flair as well. I all adds up to some great music.