Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul started a new Brew crew that continued to explore the outer fringes of fusion with saxophones and synthesizers.
Chapter One: Silent Partners
It all starts with Miles (and doesn’t it always?). His Inscrutable Opaqueness is creating a whole new language called FUSION with what is once again probably the greatest jazz group assembled, this time featuring Wayne Shorter on soprano sax and Josef Zawinul on keyboards. The pair hit it off, and after two albums that shake the world like magnitude eight earthquakes—In A Silent Way (1969), Bitches Brew (1970)—Z, Mr. Gone and Miles alum Miroslav Vitous decide to further their adventures in the newfound field of fusion as Weather Report.
Chapter Two: Weather Tis Nobler…
The eponymous Weather Report (1971) arrives with tsunami force; Down Beat names it the album of the year. It’s followed by the half live/studio hybrid I Sing The Body Electric (1972) and the Japan-only Live In Tokyo (1972). The music of the early Weather Report is alternately alien and lovely, classical and unclassifiable. Eric Gravatt and Dom Um Romao round out what briefly becomes a stable quintet, but Weather Report remains unpredictable and always in motion, leading to…
Chapter Three: A Change In The Weather
Shorter and Zawinul begin to tinker with electric funk, pushing the acoustic Vitous to the periphery on Sweetnighter (1973) and eventually out of the picture on Mysterious Traveller (1974), in favor of the younger, funkier Alphonso Johnson. Tale Spinnin’ (1975) continues the trend of a band in constant metamorphosis (they go through drummers faster than Spinal Tap).
Chapter Four: Suicide Jaco
Black Market (1975) and Heavy Weather (1976) find the band at the peak of their commercial success, now with an amazing young bass player named Jaco Pastorius who finally fills the void (and then some) left by Miroslav Vitous. Jaco sticks around until the second eponymous Weather Report (1982), which is a few years more than the jaded critics, who long ago grew dismayed with the band’s commercial directions.
Chapter Five: The Reign Clouds
Weather Report concluded their Columbia contract with a handful of albums featuring a new rhythm section of Victor Bailey and Omar Hakim. Wayne Shorter plays an increasingly diminished role on these albums. The final This is This! (1986) was actually recorded after the band disbanded, and features no new compositions from the legendary saxophonist, who had resumed his solo career the previous year with the release of Atlantis (1985). Josef Zawinul likewise wasted little time in renewing a solo career with the release of Di-a-lects (1986). Jaco’s death the following year provides a definitive end to what is surely one of the most interesting and influential jazz bands of the 20th century.
The Discography
WEATHER REPORT (1971)
Milky Way / Umbrellas / Seventh Arrow / Orange Lady // Morning Lake / Waterfall / Tears / Eurydice. Released on elpee and 8-track on May 12, 1971 in the US (Columbia, C/CA 30661), Australia (CBS, S 64521) and Japan (Sony, SOPC-57132); reached #191 on the US charts and #7 on the US Jazz charts. Re-issued on elpee in the UK (CBS, CBS 32024). Re-released on remastered compact disc in 1991 in the UK (Columbia, COL 468212 2) and on remastered compact disc and cassette on October 20, 1992 in the US (Columbia Legacy, CK/CT 48824). Re-issued on compact disc in 1994 in the UK (Columbia Collectors Choice, 983 339-2). Re-issued on remastered compact disc in 2009 in the US (Columbia Legacy, 85852). Re-issued on compact disc in 2017 in the US (Columbia).
Orange Lady (1971)
b/w Orange Lady (Part 2). Released as a promotional 7-inch in 1971 in the US (Columbia, AE7-1003).
I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC (1972)
Unknown Soldier / The Moors / Crystal / Second Sunday In August / Medley: Vertical Invader – T.H. – Dr.Honoris Causa / Surucucu / Directions. Released on elpee in May 1972 in the US (Columbia, KC-31352), the UK (CBS, 32062), Argentina (Columbia, 08591), Japan (CBS, SOPL-37) and the Netherlands (CBS, S 64943); reached #147 on the US charts. Re-released on elpee and cassette in the US (Columbia, PC/PCT-31352) and the UK (CBS, 32062 on sunburst label). Re-released on CD and cassette in May 1990 in the US (Sony, CK/CT-46107). Re-released on CD in Japan (Sony, SRCS-9141). Repackaged in 5CD box set with Sweetnighter, Mysterious Traveller, Black Market and Night Passage in 2007 in the UK (Sony/BMG Jazz, 714547).
LIVE IN TOKYO (1972)
Live tracks: Medley: Vertical Invader – Seventh Arrow – T.H. – Doctor Honoris Causa / Medley: Surucucu – Lost – Early Minor – Direction // Orange Lady / Medley: Eurydice – The Moors / Medley: Tears – Umbrellas. Live album released on 2LP in 1972 in Japan. Re-released on 2LP in 1977 (Columbia, 1213-XR). Re-released on 2CD on December 16, 1997 in Japan (Sony, 65314), on January 23, 1998 (Sony, 489208) and in 2007 in Japan (Sony, SICP-1240/1).
SWEETNIGHTER (1973)
Boogie Woogie Waltz / Manolete / Adios // 125th Street Congress / Will / Non-Stop Home. Released on elpee in 1973 in the US (Columbia, KC-32210), in the UK and the Netherlands (CBS, S 65532) and Japan (CBS/Sony, SOPL-189); reached #85 on the US charts and #2 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on elpee and cassette in the US (Columbia, PC/PCT-32210) and on 180g vinyl elpee on May 7, 2012 in the Netherlands (Music On Vinyl, MOVLP-515). Re-released on CD in Japan (Sony, SRCS-7176), on August 27, 1996 in the US (Columbia, 64976) and in 1996 in Europe (Sony, 485102).
Boogie Woogie Waltz (1973)
b/w Adios. Released on 7-inch on June 15,1973 in the US (Columbia, 45883).
125th Street Congress (1973)
b/w Will. Released on 7-inch single on November 1, 1973 in the US (Columbia, 4-45964).
MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER (1974)
Nubian Sundance / American Tango / Cucumber Slumber / Mysterious Traveller / Blackthorn Rose / Scarlet Woman / Jungle Book. Released on elpee in 1974 in the US (Columbia, KC-32494), the UK (CBS, S 80027), Canada (Columbia, WKC-32494) and Japan (CBS/Sony, SOPL-249); reached #45 on the US charts and #2 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on elpee and cassette in the US (Columbia, PC/PCT-32494) and Japan (CBS/Sony, 25AP-946). Re-released on CD in the US (Columbia, CK-32494) and on June 4, 2002 in the US (Columbia Legacy, 65112).
TALE SPINNIN’ (1975)
Man In The Green Shirt / Lusitanos / Between The Thighs / Badia / Freezing Fire / Five Short Stories. Released on elpee and cassette in May 1975 in the US (Columbia, PC/PCT-33417) and Japan (CBS/Sony, SOPO-74); reached #31 on the US charts and #3 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on CD in 1994 in the US (Columbia Legacy, 57905), in 1995 (Columbia, 476907) and on June 2, 2002 in the US (Columbia Legacy, 65110).
BLACK MARKET (1976)
Black Market / Cannon Ball / Gibraltar // Elegant People / Three Clowns / Barbary Coast / Herandnu. Released on elpee and cassette in 1976 in the US (Columbia, PC/PCT-34099), the UK (CBS, 81325), Canada (Columbia, KC-34099) and the Netherlands (CBS, 32226); reached #42 on the US charts and #2 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on CD and cassette in 1991 in the US (Columbia, CK/CT-34099), in Japan (Sony, SRCS-9145), in the UK (Sony, 468210-2), on June 4, 2002 in the US (Columbia Legacy, 65169), and in 2002 in Europe (Columbia Legacy, 507658). Repackaged w. Heavy Weather on cassette in 1991 (Columbia, CGT-38223).
HEAVY WEATHER (1977)
Birdland / A Remark You Made / Teen Town / Harlequin / Rumba Mama / Palladium / Juggler / Havona. Released on elpee and cassette in March 1977 in the US (Columbia, PC/PCT-34418), the UK (CBS, 817775) and Japan (CBS/Sony, 25AP-357); reached #30 on the US charts and #1 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on elpee in the UK (CBS, 32358). Re-released on CD and cassette in 1990 in the US (Columbia, CKCT-34418) and in the US (Columbia, CK/CT-47481). Re-released on CD in 1993 in the US (Columbia, CK-57185), in 1994 in the US (Columbia Legacy, 64427), in 1997 worldwide (Sony, CK-65108) and in Japan (Sony, SRCS-9146).
Birdland (1977)
b/w Palladium (US), The Juggler (UK). Released on 7-inch single in April 1977 in the US (Columbia, 3-10532) and on April 29, 1977 in the UK (CBS, S CBS 5205). Also released as a promotional 12-inch single in 1977 in the US (Columbia, 3-10532) featuring “Birdland (long version)” on the flip side. Re-issued on 7-inch and 12-inch on July 6, 1979 in the UK (CBS, 7701, 12 7701) with “A Remark You Made” on the B side.
MR. GONE (1978)
The Pursuit of the Woman with the Feathered Hat / River People / Young and Fine / The Elders // Mr. Gone / Punk Jazz / Pinocchio / And Then. Released on elpee and cassette in October 1978 in the US (Columbia ARC, JC/JCT 35358), the UK and the Netherlands (CBS, CBS/40-82775) and Japan (CBS Mastersound, 25AP-1060) and in 1979 in Australia (CBS, ASF 2261) with lyrics innesleeve; reached #52 on the US charts, #1 on the US Jazz charts and #47 on the UK charts. Re-issued on elpee and cassette in the US (Columbia, Columbia ARC, PC/PCT 35358). Re-issued on compact disc in 1984 in Japan (CBS, 35DP-132). Re-issued on compact disc and cassette on January 15, 1991 in the US (Columbia, CK/CT-46869). Re-packaged with Weather Report (1982) on 2-for-1 compact disc in Russia (AGAT). Re-issued on compact disc in 2009 in Japan (Sony, SICP-20123). Re-issued on compact disc on April 27, 2016 in Japan (Sony, SICJ-122).
River People (1978)
b/w The Pursuit of the Woman With The Feathered Hat (US), Birdland (UK). Released on 7-inch single on October 13, 1978 in the UK (CBS, 6743) and in November 1978 in the US (Columbia, 3-10861).
8:30 (1979)
Live tracks: Black Market / Scarlet Woman / Teen Town / A Remark You Made / Slang / In A Silent Way // Birdland / Thanks For The Memory / Badia – Boogie Woogie Waltz Melody / 8:30 / Brown Street / Orphan / Sightseeing. Released on 2LP and cassette on August 28, 1979 in the US (Columbia/ARC, PC2/PCT 36030), the UK (CBS, 88455*), Japan (CBS/Sony, 40AP-1640/1) and the Netherlands (CBS, CBS 88455) with gatefold cover; reached #47 on the US charts and #3 on the US Jazz charts; won Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance, 1979. Re-issued on 2CD in 1989 in Japan (CBS/Sony, 50DP-133/4). Re-released on remastered compact disc on June 28, 1994 in the US (Columbia Legacy, CK 57665). Re-released on remastered 2CD on March 31, 1997 in Japan (Sony, SRCS-9147/8). Re-issued on DSD remastered 2CD on March 23, 2001 in Japan (SME, SRCS-9660/1). Re-issued on 2CD on April 4, 2007 in Japan (CBS/Sony, SICP 1247/8). Re-released on remastered Blue-spec 2CD in Japan (CBS/Sony, SICP-30296/7).
Brown Street (1979)
Released as one-track promotional 7-inch single in 1979 in the US (Columbia/ARC, 1-11166).
NIGHT PASSAGE (1980)
Night Passage / Dream Clock / Port of Entry / Forlorn // Rockin’ in Rhythm / Fast City / Three Views of a Secret / Madagascar. Released on elpee and cassette on November 21, 1980 in the US (Columbia ARC, JC/JCT 36793), Israel and the Netherlands (CBS, CBS 84597) and Japan (Columbia, 25AP 1970) with picture innersleeve; reached #57 on the US charts and #2 on the US Jazz charts. Re-issued on compact disc in Europe (CBS, CDCBS 84597) [made in Japan]. Re-issued on compact disc and cassette in the US (Columbia, CK/CT 36793). Re-released on remastered compact disc in 1991 in Europe (Columbia, 468211-2). Re-issued on remastered compact disc in 1997 in Japan (Sony, SRCS 9150). Re-issued on remastered compact disc on May 23, 2007 in Japan (Sony, SICP-1250). Re-packaged with I Sing The Body Electric, Sweetnighter, Mysterious Traveller and Black Market on 5CD in 2007 in Europe (Columbia Legacy). Re-released on remastered Blu-spec compact disc on April 29, 2009 in Japan (Sony, SICP-20124). Re-issued on compact disc on November 8, 2017 in Japan (Sony, SICJ 234).
Rockin’ In Rhythm (1980)
b/w Forlorn. Released on 7-inch in 1980 in the US (ARC, 11-11422).
WEATHER REPORT (1981)
Umbrellas / Unknown Soldier / Scarlet Woman / Boogie Woogie Waltz / Black Market / Gibraltar / Mr.Gone / Teen Town / Birdland. Released on elpee in 1981 in Japan (CBS/Sony, FCPA-610).
WEATHER REPORT (1982)
Volcano For Hire / Current Affairs / N.Y.C.: Part One: 41st Parallel – Part Two: The Dance – Part Three: Crazy About Jazz // Dara Factor One / When It Was Now / Speechless / Dara Factor Two. Released on elpee in 1982 in the S (ARC/Columbia, FC-37616 and on audiophile elpee: ARC/Columbia, HC-47616), the UK (CBS, 85326), Brazil (CBS, 138527), Canada (Columbia, BL-37616), Japan (CBS/Sony, 25AP-2211 and on audiophile elpee: CBS Mastersound, 30AP-2291) and New Zealand (CBS, SBP-237679); reached #68 on the US charts and #5 on the US Jazz charts. Regional elpee versions feature a picture innersleeve. Re-released on CD and cassette in the US (Columbia, CK/CT-37616). Re-released on remastered CD in 2007 in Japan (Sony, SICP-1251) and in 2009 in Japan (Sony, SICP-20125).
PROCESSION (1983)
Procession / Plaza Real / Two Lines / Where The Moon Goes / The Well / Molasses Run. Released on elpee in 1983 in the US (Columbia, FC-38427), the UK (CBS, 25241) and Japan (CBS/Sony, 25AP-2505, and on audiophile elpee: CBS Mastersound, 30AP-2533); reached #96 on the US charts and #3 on the US Jazz charts. Regional elpee versions feature picture innersleeve. Re-released on remastered CD on December 16, 1997 in Japan (Sony, 65453), on August 20, 1999 (Sony, 489775) and in 2007 in Japan (Sony, SICP-1252).
Where The Moon Goes (1983)
b/w ?. Released as a 12-inch in 1983 in the Netherlands (CBS, SAMP-317).
DOMINO THEORY (1984)
Can It Be Done / D Flat Waltz / Peasant / Predator / Blue Sound – Note 3 / Swamp Cabbage / Domino Theory. Released on elpee in 1984 in Japan (CBS/Sony, 28AP-2789); reached #136 on the US charts and #5 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on CD in the US (Columbia, CK-39147), in 1994 (Sony/Tristar, 80926), on December 16, 1997 in Japan (Sony, 65313) and in 2007 in Japan (Sony, SICP-1253).
SPORTIN’ LIFE (1985)
Corner Pocket / Indiscretions / Hot Cargo / Confians / Pearl On The Half-Shell / What’s Going On / Face On The Barroom Floor / Ice-Pick Willy. Released on elpee, CD and cassette in March 1985 (Columbia, FC/CK/CT-39908), the UK (CBS, 26367) and Japan (CBS/Sony, 28AP-3027); reached #191 on the US charts and #13 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on CD in 2007 in Japan (Sony, SICP-1254).
THIS IS THIS (1986)
This Is This / Face The Fire / I’ll Never Forget You / Jungle Stuff, Part 1 // Man With The Copper Fingers / Consequently / Update / China Blues. Released on elpee in June 1986 in the US (Columbia, 57052), the UK (CBS, CBS-57072) and Japan (CBS/Sony, 28AP-3208); reached #195 on the US charts and #13 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on CD and cassette on August 26, 1986 in the US (Columbia, CK/CT-40280). Re-released on CD in 2007 in Japan (Sony, SICP-1255).
STAR BOX (1993)
Birdland / Young And Fine / Three Views of A Secret / Teen Town / Black Market / A Remark You Made / Elegant People / Rockin’ In Rhythm / Volcano For Hire / Sightseeing / Where The Moon Goes / In A Silent Way. Compilation released on CD on November 19, 1993 in Japan (Sony, SRCS-6907).
THIS IS JAZZ, VOLUME 10: WEATHER REPORT (1996)
Birdland / A Remark You Made / Black Market / Man In The Green Shirt / Young And Fine / The Moors / Mysterious Traveller / Orange Lady / Teen Town. Compilation released on CD on April 30, 1996 in the US (Columbia Legacy, 64627).
THIS IS JAZZ / 40: WEATHER REPORT – THE JACO YEARS (1998)
Punk Jazz / River People / A Remark You Made (live) / Havona / Three Views of A Secret / Teen Town (live) / Speechless / Port of Entry (live) / Barbary Coast / Slang (Bass Solo) (live). Compilation released on CD on April 28, 1998 in the S (Columbia Legacy, CK-65451).
LIVE AND UNRELEASED (2002)
Freezing Fire / Plaza Real / Fast City / Portrait of Tracy / Elegant People / Cucumber Slumber / Teen Town / Man In The Green Shirt // Black Market / Where The Moon Goes / River People / Two Lines / Cigano / In A Silent Way – Waterfall / Night Passage / Port of Entry / Rumba Mama / Directions – Dr.Honoris Causa. Compilation released on 2CD on October 1, 2002 in the US (Columbia Legacy, 65526) and Japan (Sony, SICP-239/40); reached #21 on the US Jazz charts.
THE BEST OF WEATHER REPORT (2002)
Birdland / Mysterious Traveler / Boogie Woogie Waltz / The Elders / Night Passage / Freezing Fire / A Remark You Made / Elegant People / Man In The Green Shirt / Blackthorn Rose / Black Market. Compilation released on CD on June 4, 2002 in the US (Columbia Legacy, 85400). Reissued on CD in 2009 in Japan (Sony, SICP-20170).
FORECAST: TOMORROW (2006)
In A Silent Way / Super Nova / Experience In E (Excerpt) / Milky Ways / Tears / Eurydice / Orange Lady / Unknown Soldier / Directions (Take 1) / Surucucu (live) / Second Sunday In August / 125th Street Congress // Mysterious Traveller / Blackthorn Rose / Badia / Cannon Ball / Black Market / Three Clowns / Havona / Birdland / Palladium / The Pursuit of The Woman With The Feathered Hat / The Orphan / Sightseeing // Dream Clock / Three Views of A Secret / Port of Entry / Dara Factor Two / Procession / Plaza Real / The Well / D-Flat Waltz / Domino Theory / Predator / Face On The Barroom Floor / Indiscretions / 125th Street Congress (DJ Logic Remix). Compilation released on 3CD with bonus DVD in 2006 in the UK (BMG/Sony, 85575).
PLAYLIST: THE VERY BEST OF WEATHER REPORT (2010)
Birdland / Mysterious Traveller / A Remark You Made / Boogie Woogie Waltz / Black Market / Man In The Green Shirt / Night Passage / The Moors / Orange Lady / Rockin’ In Rhythm / In A Silent Way (live). Compilation released on CD on September 14, 2010 in the US (Sony).
LIVE IN BERLIN 1975 (2011)
Live tracks: Freezing Fire / Scarlet Woman / Mysterious Traveller / Badia – Boogie Woogie Waltz. Archival live material recorded in 1975 and released on CD with DVD on March 8, 2011 in Germany (MIG).
LIVE IN COLOGNE 1983 (2011)
Live tracks: Procession / Fast Coty / The Peasant / D Flat Waltz / Blue Sound Note 3 / Duet Jose Rossy & Omar Hakim / Two Lines / Plaza Real // Medley: 8:30 – Black Market – Elegant People – Badia – Boogie Woogie Waltz – A Remark You Made – Birdland / The Duet / Where The Moon Goes. Archival live material recorded in 1983 and released on 2CD on October 4, 2011 in Germany (MIG).
