Post #332364 by tiki mick on Thu, Sep 13, 2007 5:58 PM

I share all the sentiments expressed above. Yes, I have always considered weather report to be exotic-not exotica, because that is a certain sound, look, and feel, and there is always a sense of whimsy and playfulness about it-weather report was deadly serious. The look of Joe Zawinul was like that of Miles Davis-tough, a boxer. Determined and focused, and intense. And that is reflected in the spiritual yet martial music Joe Zawinul created. I came from a prog rock background, until the first time I heard weather report. I then realized that this is what Fripp and other like him were trying to do themselves. I still like prog rock, but it does not come close to the fusion sound of weather report and others of that era, like Return to forever, mahavishnu orchestra and the like.

Zawinul brought a quality to his playing, and use of keyboards that was adventurous and creative beyond what is normal. People often look at Wakeman, Emerson and Jan Hammer as the kings of keyboard, but in my opinion Zawinul led the pack. He was his own orchestra!