Heavy Weather - Weather Report

Track List:

1. Birdland

2. A Remark You Made

3. Teen Town

4. Harlequin

5. Rumba Mama

6. Palladium

7. The Juggler

8. Havona

Notes on the music:

I realize now that I am not entirely sure how to write about instrumental jazz…

I enjoyed the album overall. I don’t think there was an overarching story, hell I am pretty sure most of the story made up were just me making stuff up. This was a test to see if I wanted to add some more jazz albums to my list of albums to listen to. 

Notes on individual Songs

Birdland

This one's a classic and why I chose this album. I really enjoy the coy sounds that hide in the middle of the song around the bold proclamations of the rest of the song. 

A Remark You Made

This one starts off much more subdued than the previous song. Resting like a meandering mind on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I like how the synth has a moving part very fast and along the scale however the song remains a slow relaxed drawl. The song has 2 distinct leads, a lower bass part that follows the sax sound and the higher flute/synth sound. It’s a neat conversation but they don’t mix as much as I would like.

Teen Town

This is much more upbeat and funky sounding. The bass lines remind me of Zappa along with the higher string sounds accenting them. The song creates a sense of mystery and discovery. Like looking for a cat that has run into a building in the dark that has no power or lights. (Yes that is oddly specific). At the end they find the cat. 

Harlequin

This one starts with slow developing piano and then the bass to ignite the song. I’ve listened to this one 3 times now. It’s odd. Its movements develop around a theme. I like the change in focus over the course of the song but don’t really have much else to say about it. 

Rumba Mama

Live recording? This is a percussion piece with some sort of chanting, perhaps a Caribbean language? I think this one could be made longer into a groove and it would be awesome to listen to and more awesome to experience live. 

Palladium

Back to the more standard jazz. The main movement of this song builds upon itself in a manner that increases the intensity and the anticipation it drives. The song ends on an unresolved chord with a feeling of anxiety. 

The Juggler

I feel like this was inspired by the idea of a fantastical court of Kings, Queens, and Jesters. The Juggler is chosen to perform for the moody royalty and is nervous and timid. Trying to spin a tale into their performance and take everything to new heights they try too hard and end up failing. They then get reassurance from the audience that they were selected for their talents and take the time to perform again to which there is much rejoicing. I really like the musical exploration here. 

Havona

The intro sounds like a “we think this could be futuristic” sound prediction. Almost synthetic. This song is probably the most chaotic feeling on the album but I believe is a good representation for the album and a great way to end it.