WEATHER REPORT (1982)

This was my first Weather Report purchase (just a couple of weeks ago actually), although I have heard some of their material in the past. Weather Report are most famous for their outstanding musicianship and arranging. The lineup on this album is probably the one Weather Report is most famous for. Most people would no what to expect when they see Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorious, Joe Zawinul, et al. It's obvious that this album is overflowing with some of the most famous names in modern American jazz and here they put together a solid effort.

The sound on this album is definitely different compared to their 70s material. Zawinul composes most of the tracks, so Pastorious doesn't really get a say in some of the albums material. The first track, "Volcano for Hire," is probably the best track on the album. It's full of freshness and very lively with excellent keyboard and saxophone arrangement in particular. After the uptempo funkiness of the first track, "Current Affairs" slows things down a little. Shorter's sax on this track is so smooth and laid back; it's a really great piece.

Next comes the "epic" of the album, a suite of music entitled "N.Y.C." Part One starts out with bustling sounds that mimic New York City. This bridges into the uptempo part, which is pretty much lively, uptempo straight-forward jazz-rock full of interesting keyboards and a solid bass line by Jaco. Part Two starts out a little calmer, but ends up like the previous part. Jaco's bass solo is a highlight of this track. Part Three continues where Two left off, still keeping the steady jazz-rock feel, only this time Shorter has a magnificent solo.

I find Side Two to not hold up as well as Side One, although it's still pretty good. "Dara Factor One" features a great keyboard/sax arrangement, keeping up with the same style as previous pieces. Zawinul and Shorter lead the way again on "When It Was Now," performed in an obvious smooth jazz style. "Speechless" is another slower track. The tempo stays very steady, while Zawinul plays at his various keyboards and creates some pretty interesting effects. The last track is "Dara Part Two," a continuation of Part One. Again, it's very up beat and keeps you interested. Zawinul and Shorter do their thing, while the rest of the band keep a steady tempo.

This album has made me much more interested in collecting more of the Weather Report discography. People may say that the band was "running out of steam," but they were at least trying too keep things fresh and lively with interesting arrangements. I think any fan of American fusion (not to mention Weather Report fans) will most likely be interested in hearing this album. It's not a masterpiece by any means, but is still a good, sold album. Three stars.

Another in my continuing I-don't-know-squat-about-jazz series. Although I "get" this album more than some of their other work (or think I do) because the fractured arrangements let me digest the songs in little pieces. I can isolate the bass, drums, keyboards and sax in my head, hear the effect they have pitted against one another, and see the whole thing as finely meshed gears in a big machine. Or maybe it's just that I've never understood horns, and you don't have to understand them to enjoy this album. Not that I prefer this album to their earlier work; it's just less intimidating because I can follow the conglomerated grooves of "Volcano For Hire," "When It Was Now" and Dara Factors One and Two. Bearing no title (and not to be confused with their first eponymous elpee), this album was the last to feature Jaco. As such, it marks the end of an era, though his role in these songs isn't as keenly felt as other outings. Instead, the album is Zawinul's, tightly composed and seeming to allow for little latitude from the other players. (Just my impression, carrying all the weight that my opening sentence confers.) Having grown fat on previous feasts, the entries from this Weather Report are only appetizing for an instant to me. It's interesting, not arresting (as was the case on albums past), with nothing that critics have sought to crown as a career-defining achievement. I've listened to this album dozens of times, largely because it was the first Weather Report album I ever owned. It didn't kindle a love affair with the band, though I did find the modern rock elements intriguing. Drummer Peter Erskine in particular is a force (especially if you like Chad Wackerman). I haven't seen a negative review of this album or any Weather Report album for that matter, such is the intimidation factor of the PSZ axis. But the startling range of past albums is missed, replaced with a by-the-numbers mathematical quirkiness that produces some eye-opening moments but nothing of lasting beauty.

Don't let the energetic and fun opener fool you: this is a very average jazz album. Weather Report seem to have a habit of teasing you by frontloading their best material, and then lulling you to sleep afterward. Weather Report (I'll call it version II), is no exception.

Highlights: Volcano for Hire shows what the band can bring to the table: awesome bass, catchy and varied rhythms, and infectious horns and keyboard licks to top it off. Unfortunately, they really only take this approach on the opener. It's a shame, because this song is so happy and engaging. Also, Pastorius makes himself known right away with a HUGE bass rip, and then settles into a killer groove to get the song going for good. I'll also classify NYC as a "highlight" because it does feature some nice interplay and improv, even though it loses momentum in the middle and is overlong.

Lowlights: If you like improv noodling with little resemblence of melody, then the Dara Factor songs (parts I and II) may be interesting. My opinion is that they are overly simplistic, even for improv--little actual fusion is achieved. The same goes for When It Was Now. The remaining tracks, Current Affairs and Speechless, are the mellow, slow tunes. These songs are so boring and generic that I'm surprised Weather Report keep churning them out. The only highlights are some nice fretless bass yawns, but even they are not nearly enough to hold up the songs.

Weather Report II features one solid (though by no means a masterpiece) song, and the rest is basically filler to my ears, excepting parts of NYC. I would only recommend this to fans of Weather Report and/or tame jazz.

"Weather Report" is the eponymously titled 10th full-length studio album by US jazz/fusion act Weather Report. The album was originally released through Columbia Records in February 1982. It's the second self-titled album in the group's discography as their debut full-length studio album, released in 1971, was also a self-titled affair. "Weather Report" is the last album to feature the rythm section of bassist Jaco Pastorius and drummer Peter Erskine.

The music on the album is unmistakably the sound of Weather Report. By now not as adventurous or cutting edge as was the case in the seventies, but still an interesting enough listen. The rythm section on the album, which in addition to Jaco Pastorius and Peter Erskine also includes percussionist Robert Thomas Jr. are tight and well playing, but as always it's the keyboard attack and saxophone playing of bandleaders Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter respectively, that define the band's sound. On this release it's especially Jaco Pastorius bass playing that I'm impressed by though.

The compositions are generally of decent quality and the album is packed in a nice organic sound production, but I don't really think there are many of the tracks that leave a lasting impression and sometimes (too often) the music is closer to complex muzak than jazz/fusion with depth. Listen to a track like "Current Affairs" for proof of that. It's pleasant enough background music, but it's not the kind of track I'd put on to listen to intriguing adventurous details. It's an issue I've had before with other albums/tracks by the band and "Weather Report" is another one to the collection of more standard quality output by Weather Report. Not really bad but not spectacular either. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.