Heavy Weather – Weather Report

Heavy Weather – Weather Report

From You'll Hear It: Full Album Deep Dives with Jazz Musicians by Peter Martin & Adam Maness

June 29, 2026 · 1h 6m · Season 14 · Episode 27

About this episode

Peter Martin and Adam Maness analyze Weather Report's iconic album Heavy Weather, discussing its tracks and production.

Weather Report's Heavy Weather became one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. But there's so much more to it than "Birdland", Heavy Weather's radio hit. In fact, Peter makes the case that it might just be the weakest moment of the entire record. Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin break it down track-by-track: From Jaco Pastorius's fiery fretless bass, to Joe Zawinul's beautiful piano, to the less-than-perfect production. You'll never hear Heavy Weather the same way again. 0:00 Heavy Weather - Weather Report 2:55 The Origins of Weather Report 6:29 Jaco Pastorius Joins the Band 10:40 "Birdland" 14:46 Birdland is the most popular. Is it the best? 20:38 "A Remark You Made" 25:17 "Teen Town" 30:49 "Harlequin" 36:22 "Rumba Mama" 38:38 "Palladium" 41:33 Production issues on Heavy Weather 45:11 "The Juggler" 50:59 "Havona" 58:13 The Best Moments on Heavy Weather 1:01:47 Is This Weather Report's Best Album? 1:02:43 Up Next 1:03:23 Open Studio plays "Teen Town" (with upright bass!)

People in this episode

Hosts: Peter Martin, Adam Maness

Topics covered

  • Weather Report
  • Jazz music
  • Album analysis
  • Track breakdown
  • Production issues
  • Jaco Pastorius

Keywords

  • Heavy Weather
  • Weather Report
  • Birdland
  • Jaco Pastorius
  • Jazz album
  • Track analysis
  • Production

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Heavy Weather, Birdland, A Remark You Made, Teen Town, Harlequin, Rumba Mama, Palladium, The Juggler, Havona

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