Rating: 
Summary: Engaging but superficial bio of the greatest bassist ever
Review: There is no doubt that Jaco was the baddest cat ever to sling an electric bass around his shoulder. The proof is in the pudding: check out any of his recordings, and you will hear a master of the groove like no other. Dazzling technique, yet so darned FUNKY! Having read biographies of Charlie Parker, I was struck by the similarities between the two who died far too young. Both lived to excess and died as a result of their debilitating addictions. And both turned the jazz world on its ear with their exhilharating innovations. I found this book to be pretty inspirational, at least in terms of Jaco's virtuosity. It is also an interesting tale about how NOT to live. Nevertheless, I found Milkowski's style to be to more like a lengthy DownBeat article than what one might expect in a 200+ page biography. I wish that he had probed Jaco's psychological problems more, offering some more in-depth analysis on what led him to such a self-destructive lifestyle. Rather, he spends little time on the precursors of Jaco's mental illness, and prefers to give anecdotes and concrete examples of his drug and alcohol problems. True, he goes into some explicit detail about Jaco's binges, but says far too little about Jaco's severely pathological narcissism, which seems to have fueled his frustrations. What led to Jaco's grandiosity? Truly, he had a world class personality disorder, yet Milkowski pretty much ignores this. Maybe I expect too much; Milkowski is a music writer, not a shrink, but when psychopathology is so extreme, I think a more analytical account is more than warranted. Maybe someone else will eventually tackle the psyche of who who Peter Erskine's psychiatrist father described to a fellow psychiatrist upon Jaco's stay at Bellevue, "the most challenging case you will ever see." But all that aside, the book is a quick and enjoyable read, and anything about Jaco is probably worthwhile.
Rating: 
Summary: more than just a bass player
Review: This book is written by a guy who had a lot of close contact with Jaco at many points in his life and offers great insight into his life and work. His life story reads at times like a work of fiction - which is probably how Jaco wanted it to sound! It is only after you have read this book can you really see how he wrote such brilliant music - he was just one on his own!
Rating:
Summary: Electric bass has never been the same.
Review: This book was one of the most influencial books I have ever read. In one lifetime he acomplished things that 10 people couldn't acomplish. I loved this book and recomend it to everbody.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet biography--makes you want to hear every note he played
Review: This is a great biography about a great player. Not necessarily a great person in all respects, but a force in music and the bass that is undeniable. This biography works because the author has both great respect and great sadness towards his subject matter. He does not praise Jaco blindly, nor does he mystify him. Jaco's glory is self-deserving--listen to any one of his bass lines. It's hard to put Jaco's playing in the proper perspective if you are introduced to it retrospectively, but that's the genius that Milkowski introduces. This book helps the reader listen to the pretty bass melody in "A Remark You Made," where technique was not the issue, and truly marvel at how beautiful a bass line can be. Read this book and learn from it
Rating:
Summary: Backs up any interest!
Review: This is THE book to read if you want know anything or everything about Jaco Pastorius. I have read it three times. It features a very well-presented, good period-covered story that will catch your attention immediately. There's a list of all recordings he has done as a sideman and as a leader, and a 24-page epilogue, where everyone from Dr. John and Carlos Santana to Joe Zawinul and Rashied Ali tell their own stories and thoughts about Jaco.
A suitable amount of rare pictures and a TON of stories told by musicians, friends, and family are included throughout the book. This is information you are not likely to find anywhere else. If you think you know everything about Jaco and haven't read this book, you either knew him very well or you're way off.
The book is easy to read and easy to understand for die-hard Jaco fans as well as for people who are just being introduced to the genius.
In my edition (released in 1996), a CD with 3 tracks from the Birthday Concert is included, but I don't know if the CD is included in newer editions...
Anyway: Don't hesitate...come on, it's $10!
Rating:
Summary: THE Jaco Book
Review: Whether you are a Jaco fan, or just a music fan; this is your book. Jaco's life was a miracle and a tragedy. This is a wonderful biography of the textbook "Torchured Genius". This book does an amazing job tracing Pastorius' playing roots and offers a window into the mind of a true master musician and why he played - and behaved - the way he did.
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