Search - Weather Report :: Night Passage (Mlps)

Fly by Night

Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 02/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The live album - seven of the eight numbers were performed in front of 250 fans for each of the four gigs over two evenings at The Complex studios, Los Angeles - is Weather Report at the peak of its performance power.



The most famous lineup - Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, Peter Erskine, percussionist Robert Thomas, Jr. - with Jaco's iconic composition, Three Views of a Secret, being the surprising standout. Zawinul penned four numbers, Shorter has one and there is a neat cover of Duke Ellington's Rockin' in Rhythm. An eighth track - Madagascar - was recorded while on a 1980 tour of Japan.



The band was playing in larger venues and had truly crossed-over into a rock audience, but it seems as if Zawinul seized control of the train to deliver a jazz recording worthy for inclusion with the releases of the early-1970s.



There is an excitement to the music that seems to be attempting to light a clear path for jazz in the 1980s. That it quickly became a trail lightly treaded upon simply shows that brilliance can be a lonely traveler."

As good as music gets

R. Fischer | California | 08/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The power and passion of this music is undeniable. Weather Report was always noted for their compositions, and this album contains five of the band's strongest tunes: "Night Passage", "Dream Clock", "Fast City", Jaco Pastorius' beautiful "Three Views of A Secret" and the band's magnum opus, "Madagascar." From a whisper to a roar, this is an intensely dynamic album---be careful not to play it too loud! Some of the synth sounds have dated a bit, but this remains music of incredible sophisication and soulfulness, and the grooves---particularly on "Madagascar"---are out of this world."