"It was tough to choose between this album and Weather Report’s 8:30, but I had to include at least one live Jaco Pastorius recording. I saw the Joni Mitchell tour twice - one night was great and the other was a bit of a disaster when Jaco stormed off stage after he couldn’t get the echo-repeat going in his solo.
“This record was obviously recorded on the brilliant night, and there is none of the aggressive/punk Jaco that surfaced at times on other recordings, and none of the ego wars between him and Weather Report leader Joe Zawinul that you can hear on 8:30.
“This is Jaco at his most sensitive. Like Miles Davis, his every note has a beginning, middle and end. I cry every time that I hear Hejira. Honestly, it’s just too beautiful for words.”
Listen: Joni Mitchell - Shadows And Light - Jaco Pastorius' bass solo (1980)