The Birthday Concert in Bloomington, MN

On an irregular basis in the early '80s, the innovative electric bassist
Jaco Pastorius
led a big band that he called
Word of Mouth
. This excellent LP documents
Pastorius
' 30th birthday party, a concert at which he was joined by
the Peter Graves Orchestra
(consisting of 14 horns, two steel drums, and two percussionists) plus drummer
Peter Erskine
,
Don Alias
on conga, and both
Michael Brecker
and
Bob Mintzer
on tenors.
Brecker
co-stars with
on a strong program that is highlighted by
"The Chicken,"
a burning rendition of
"Invitation,"
"Liberty City."
The music is full of spirit and joy, featuring
at the peak of his powers just before his tragic decline. ~ Scott Yanow