WEATHER REPORT

With the recent passing of Wayne Shorter (March 2^nd of this year) the iconic Jazz Fusion Band Weather Report has lost the third of it’s core and most influential members. First there was the untimely passing of Jaco Pastorious ( Sept. 1987) followed next within days of exactly  twenty  years later by his fellow Joe Zawinul (Sept. 2007.) These three seminal musicians, each were individually profound as well as collectively. Each musician a ground breaker for their chosen instrument and in their collaborative achievements when they came together as Weather Report. Mr. Shorter for saxophone, Mr. Pastorious, electric bass and thirdly Mr. Zawinul, key boardest. They mastered music and created sounds and thematic themes comparable to the world’s greatest music. They  crossed, mixed and created  forms, genres and styles within their efforts. And in the passage of time their legends have grown and continue to flourish.

The men of Weather Report were visionaries and artistic explorers in a very real sense. They inter-acted and played with the greats of their times; Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Pat Methany, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana and Esperanza Spalding to name a few. They played with and composed hit music for other recording artist that would become modern standards; Mercy/Mercy/Mercy, Birdland and Steely Dan’s Aja’.  Earth, Wind & Fire, Patrice Rushen and The Manhattan Transfer are among luminaries featured on their albums. They loved and were dedicated to literature, philosophy, the arts and sciences. It is all reflected in their music and life pursuits. Their music resides among the most imaginative, innovative, challenging and beautiful the world yet knows.   

               Jaco Pastorious                          Joe Zawinul                         Wayne Shorter

This blog is a celebration of these artist’s lives and what they have given the world. For such accomplished artist of their sort nothing speaks more eloquently or profoundly for them than their recordings. I have included links to some of their most stunning music along with the gorgeous album covers that house it.  Here as tribute to their greatness I hope you will enjoy!

 Mr. Gone  “Young & Fine” 

8:30   "A Remark You Made"

Heavy Weather   "Palladium"

Procession   "Where the Moon Goes"

Night Passage   "Three Views of a Secret"

Weather Report   "When It Was Now"

Christmas Music For You & Yours

I am not sure one is properly able to celebrate Christmas without music. Here is a small selection from my personal favorites. Hopefully yours too. Do enjoy them this Christmas and in future Christmas' to come.

Don Cheadle's MILES AHEAD

Don Cheadle has delivered a beautiful love letter to Miles Davis, Davis fans and all who cherish good story telling in the form of cinema. I had the immense pleasure of viewing this; the directorial debut of Mr. Cheadle with members of the press and supporting Indie-gogo contributors.  Cheadle; a member of   the fraternity of actors that always give remarkable; flawless performances, shines here in the lead. The work was compelling funny, balanced and of a very high caliber. We see Miles with all his attributes and flaws (which are vividly the spice of every life) in this sophisticated, funny and emotional film. “Miles Ahead” is pure, cinematic joy!  

The Columbia music and recording years of Miles Davis are featured heavily here in remarkable style. Cheadle uses flash backs in scenes that blend seamlessly from the films present into the memory and reminiscing of the main character. The film is placed within a five year period that Miles withdrew from performing and recording. The artistic and varied Davis album covers feature as much as the music as bridges between the many narratives revealed in both the truths and mythologies of Miles.       

                   

Ewan McGregor portrays a Rolling stone reporter that within his attempts to interview Miles becomes a cohort in retrieving stolen come back tapes Davis had recently recorded. They develop a kind of “Butch and Sundance” comradery that drives much of the storyline. Actress Emayatzi Corinealdi; stuns, as Francis Taylor the wife and muse of Davis.  Taylor was pivotal to the life of the man and Corinealdi portrays her as the grand passion she must have been.   Another highlight is the performance of an All-Star band featuring actual former Miles Side Men; Herbie Handcock and Wayne Shorter along with contemporary greats Esperanza Spalding, Gary Clark Jr. and Antonio Sanchez.  

Don Cheadle has created a “crowd pleaser” of a film that has every potential of becoming a legitimate hit.  “Miles Ahead” a visionary homage, completely satisfies and makes me look forward to the next Cheadle project. For all its worth; something for which I am already on board; something certain to be another tremendous, roller-coaster of a ride. “Miles Ahead” is not to be soon be forgotten...Oscars?