Jaco: The Extraordinary and the Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius, "the World's Greatest Bass Player"

Rating:
Summary: If you thought you knew about Jaco tragic life,you MUST read
Review: As I read the book I was overcome with the sense that there wasn't anybody in Jaco's life that wanted to offer some substantial help in his recovery,( just for the sake of preserving one of the 20th century's greatest contemporary composers who had barely started to show the world as a whole what he stood for) but, rather just for the sake of making it to the next show to fatten someone's wallet. Unfortunately even that small percentage of help disappeared when his so-called friends and hanngers on lost intrest. Overall I think Bill Milkowski did a fantastic job of portraying Jaco's life story. He wrote the story as someone who missed a friend and not a business associate.Hats' off to him, and shame on those who caugth on only after it was too late and chose to opportunise on his music at the expense of his estate, (posthumously ofcourse).

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Summary: Jaco was my hero
Review: I couldn't believe it when I finally found a book about Jaco. Where have I been? I was thinking of writing my master's thesis about Jaco a couple of years ago. But how could I top this book. What a great read. I read it in 2 days. I couldn't put it down. Of course when you love someone's music, and are amazed and saddened by someone's life like Jaco's, it's not hard completely diving into the book and not coming up for air. I wish someone would option this book for a movie. It's a great, yet tragic tale.

Rating:
Summary: Jaco will always be "The Greatest"!
Review: I picked up this book out of curiousity after buying Jaco's solo album. I heard of him and I wanted to read about him. This book has changed my views on the music industry and performing and has ultimately made me a better musician. Jaco single handedly revolutionaized the electric bass to unimaginable proportions. No bass player should ever go without a Jaco album and no musician should go without reading this book. Informative, tragic and educational. I love this book and have have read it through four times. Jaco and his music will live in my heart forever.

Rating:
Summary: If you thought you knew about Jaco tragic life,you MUST read
Review: I thought I pretty much had an idea about Jaco's tragic life,but after reading this book I learned so much more.I do not read alot of books but this book kept my interest from beginning to end.If you play the bass you must read this book so you can understand how much you owe Jaco,if you do not play bass[which I do not]but have a love for music and are interested in look at rare individual you must read this book.Jaco like so many b4 him[Jimi,Janis,Brain Jones etc]had that special flare and magic and just tried to live to much oof life,in Jaco's case a mental disorder as well as drugs did not help.So from 1 lover of music [I play drums] to all who are in that catergory,please read this book.

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Summary: After reading this book i feel like i actually know Jaco!
Review: Jaco Pastorious's story is a very interesting one; certainly fitting to the extremes of the American culture. Even if you are not a bass player, or even a musician, you should find Milkowsky's chronicle of Jaco an to be an interesting, emotionally charged, reading. However, I think a question is unconsiously brought up by the author. That is, just how far outa whack should you stretch your neck looking up towards Jaco? Honestly, the author is very one-sided about how he presents Jaco: Jaco was a very sweet man of a musical genious that most cannot begin to imagine. He was tormented by a mental disorder and it, unfortunately, caused the ruin ofhis career. The author makes it very clear that he sympathises with Jaco, that he, as best as he can, sees it from Jaco's point of view. I disagree though. I have known several of those who suffer from bi-polar disorder. They do find it hard to get along, but not like Jaco. I don't think his illness was his only problem. I! ! didn't know the man personally, but I don't think that disqualifies me as a critic of him. He made beautiful music, but that doesn't excuse his behaviour either. Milkowsky does a great job telling you how Jaco lived and died, but leaves the reader wondering just what Jaco's problem was. I think it makes the book even more interesting though.

Rating:
Summary: You Can't Put it Down
Review: Jaco was a genius trapped on this planet! He inspired me to keep going even though his talent may never be reached by a common man. Sad and Amazing!