Jaco Pastorius/WORD OF AROUSE

Jaco’s big band live performance at the Aurex Jazz Festival held at Tokyo Budokan on September 1, 1982, which was finally released as a solo career with 1981’s “Word Of Mouth”, is now available on DVD from the TV on-air source at the time! The picture and sound quality is one rank higher than past VHS etc. This day’s live performance seemed to be performed on a different day from those recorded on “Invitation” and “Twins 1 & 2”, and I’m glad that Bob Mintzer’s bass clarinet solo was also featured. And the highlight is the endless duo of Toots Thielmans (Harmonica) and Jaco on “Sophisticated Lady”! The performance, in which the two really faced each other, was quite a listen, with a relaxed atmosphere, tense tension, and humorous exchanges. A must-see, recording 40 minutes only for big bands with no official footage! And as a bonus video, there is also a collaboration with the Gil Evans Orchestra when they came to Japan in 1984 for “Live Under The Sky”. The solo featuring Jaco, whose eccentric behavior started to become noticeable around this time, was covered in dirt all over his body. The picture and sound quality here are of the highest master quality. Furthermore, although the quality is sharp, the total of 72 minutes, including two songs from 1979’s “Berliner Jazztage”, is a compilation of valuable footage from his solo work! look! Chapter 1 : Aurex Jazz Festival 1982 1. Soul Intro 2. The Chicken 3. Donna Lee 4. Sophisticated Lady 5. Liberty City Chapter 2 : Live Under The Sky 1984 1. Gil Evans Orchestra & Jaco Pastorius 2. Jaco Solo Chapter 3 : Berliner Jazztage 1979 1. Continuum 2. Chromatic Fantasy Chapter 4 : Musician’s Institute 1985 1. Bass Duel