Here’s one of Weather Report‘s early concerts performed in Berlin in 1971 which can be best described as nothing short of excellent! The early version or line-up(s) of Weather Report performed mostly experimental jazz rock/jazz fusion and the band’s first studio albums are strong testimonies in these regards! Moreover, thanks to their rather improvisational sound in the studio as well as to the great and valuable musical experience and educational background of its members, the band in its early line-up(s) was able to perform as good in concert as it did in the studio.
Collage of 4 members of the band at the 1971 concert at NDR Jazzworkshop in Berlin. Image source: www.youtube.com
The following concert is one of the most earliest of Weather Report which was recorded in 1971 at NDR Jazzworkshop in Berlin. The band’s line-up then was as follows:
- Josef ‘Joe’ Erich Zawinul – keyboards;
- Wayne Shorter – tenor and soprano saxophones;
- John Surman – bass clarinet and baritone saxophone;
- Eje Thelin – trombone;
- Alan Skidmore – tenor and soprano saxophone as well as flute;
- Miroslav Vitouš – acoustic bass;
- Alphonse Mouzon – drums;
- Dom Um Romão – percussion.
The setlist for this concert only included two songs as follows:
- Directions;
- Doctor Honoris Causa.
Both aforementioned songs were recorded and released on Weather Report’s second studio album, more specifically ‘I Sing The Body Electric’ (1972), although ‘Doctor Honoris Causa’ is featured as the first track on Joe Zawinul’s first studio album, entitled ‘Zawinul‘ and released in 1971. It is important to note the fact that ‘Doctor Honoris Causa’ is Joe Zawinul’s tribute dedicated to Herbie Hancock, another great jazz/jazz rock/jazz fusion legend.
The following concert was recorded on 3 September 1971 at 73. NDR-Jazzworkshop in Berlin and was provided on Youtube by Jazz³+. Therefore, that being said and without any further needless ado on my behalf, I wholeheartedly recommend you to integrally watch and listen to the following amazing early concert by the legendary American jazz rock/jazz fusion band Weather Report. All the best, much health, take care, stay safe, many blessings, and great peace your way! God bless you and keep on listening to jazz fusion! I truly hope you’ll like it! 😊🙏✌️☮️🤘
- Weather Report: the life and times of the group on record by Bill Milkowksi on www.jazzwise.com
- The Youtube video description for the embedded video above
- Fifty Years Ago Today—July 19, 1971 – on www.weatherreportdiscography.org