Show 63 - "Pontyficating"

[Rick and Roll]

One of my first introductions into "non-standard" musical fare in college was the great Jean-Luc Ponty. By the time I hit college in 1981, he was well into his solo career, having played most notably with Frank Zappa and Stephane Grappelli.

I'll be playing something from every studio record from 1976-1993. Missing will be 1975's "On the Wings Of Music" and 2001's "Life Enigma". Now 63, Ponty is still playing, most recently with Stanley Clarke and Bela Fleck.

I've had a lot of good times listening to Jean-Luc Ponty, so for three hours I hope you do too.

Here's your key for the show:

(A) Aurora 1976
(IV) Imaginary Voyage 1976
(EO) Enigmatic Ocean 1977
(CM) Cosmic Messenger 1978
(ATFP) A Taste For Passion 1979
(CE) Civilized Evil 1980
(MA) Mystical Adventures 1982
(IC) Individual Choice 1983
(OM) Open Mind 1984
(F) Fables 1985
(GOT) The Gift Of Time 1987
(S) Storytelling 1987
(T) Tchkola 1991
(NAT) No Absolute Time 1993

Is Once Enough? (A)

Not after this song.....featuring Daryl Stuermer, Patrice Rushin.

Renaissance (A)

A beautiful tune, with a great acoustic lead by Stuermer. Perfect 1-2 punch.

Savannah (NAT)

Outstanding later period piece, over nine minutes with great African rhythms.

Stay With Me (ATFP)

This record is more mellow than the other early ones, but the arrangements are top-notch.

Cats Tales (F)

Ponty's had some of the greatest musicians play with him. Here Scott Henderson lends a hand.

Tarantula (IV)

Indicative of the kick-ass music on his late 70's albums, Steurmer and Ponty trade wicked leads over an evil groove.

As (MA)

I'm particulary fond of this record, has some diverse styles, incredible musicianship, and great songwriting. Jamie Glaser on guitar, Randy Jackson on bass, and maybe the most brilliant drummer I've ever seen live, Rayford Griffin. This song is the Stevie Wonder cover. Maybe the only "vocal" Ponty out there (prior to Tchkola).

In The Fast Lane (S)

Although this song opens the record, it's atypical of the mood. This is a jumpy number, too good to leave out. Most of Storytelling is smooth, again with Griffin and Glaser, and Wally Minko and Baron Browne. Another tour I saw him on.

Open Mind (OM)

Maybe his weakest effort, the title cut is a diamond in the rough. Hypnotically upbeat theme.

New Country (IV)

Dixie Dregs inflected piece, a lot of fun. Audience participation number!

Imaginary Voyage (IV)

I had to add part four to the Moon. The entire piece is almost 20 minutes. Note to staff: The four parts NEED to be fused together. What a great song. There's a piano part about 3-4 minutes in that sounds just like the Mary Tyler Moore theme beginning.

Elephants In Love (F)

Included mainly for the visual from the title.

Computer Incantations For World Peace (IC)

Here's where Ponty dabbles heavily into keyboards. He got it right on this song. Just him here.

Aurora (Part 2) (A)

On his earlier records, he did longer suites. This one is easily broken up. There's that Stuermer guy again!

Overture/The Trans-Love Express (EO)

Enigmatic Ocean, with you know who, Allan Zavod, Steve Smith, and Allan Holdsworth, is the most vibrant Ponty record. This song will wake the dead. Try to air drum to Steve Smith and not seek medical attention afterwards.

Mirage (EO)

Alternately beautiful and jamming, a perfect fusion (pun firmly intended) of styles.

The Art of Happiness (CM)

Wow this long before I touched on Cosmic Messenger? Life is not fair. A great record.

Tchkola (T)

I saw him on this tour also, he had a bass player from Ghana and a drummer from Nigeria. Nice record, infectious.

In Spite Of All (IC)

Last cut on the record, basically it's an excuse for Holdsworth and Ponty to trade solos.

Shape Up Your Mind (CE)

Outstanding keyboards.

Mystical Adventures (Part 3) (MA)

After a few records away, back to the long suites.

Cosmic Messenger (CM)

Maybe the coolest piece he's ever written.

Nostalgic Lady (EO)

Could be in the top 5 Holdsworth leads, and that's saying something.

Egocentric Molecules (CM)

Ralphe Armstong with a phat-ass bass solo. Allan Zavod, Joquain Lievano, and Jamie Glaser shine too. Perfect example of how you can have weird song titles when there's no vocals.

Good Guys, Bad Guys (CE)

Featuring a lead by the guitar dude that was with Genesis' touring band.

The Gift of Time (GOT)

This is to the rest of the catalogue as Al Dimeola's "Kiss My Axe" is to his. Al D, on his title cut, rips off a two-minute jam teasing us back to the glory days, where as the rest of the record is decidedly mellower (but still good). This piece by Ponty is like that. The last several minutes could have been off on an earlier record.

The Gardens of Babylon (IV)

Excellent theme, a favorite of mine.

Rhythms Of Hope (MA)

I had to run over on the show, mainly because I spaced out and forgot to initially add this song. Randy Jackson has a bass solo here that ranks wayyyyy up there. The song is simply beautiful.

The Struggle Of The Turtle To The Sea (Part III) (EO)

Speaking of bass solos, our man Ralphe Armstrong isn't content with ONE solo. He's gotta give you back to back solos...the second with effects. This 17-year old couldn't figure out who the hell the lead guitarist was!

In concert, maybe mid 80's, he played the whole three parts. This very large man stands up behind me and bellows, "The Struggle of the Turtle To the Sea, blast from the past"! Every once in a while, my kids will quote that, and it still makes me laugh.

Far From The Beaten Paths (IC)

Easily one of the greatest songs ever written. Like Frank Gambale's "Great Explorers" it's got a memorable theme. Unlike that song, it doesn't fade out. One of those "desert island" songs for me.

It's a testament to the great music out there that it took over a year to do a Ponty show. Better late than never!

[sharcnorris]

oh....yea!!!! can't wait, tree-trimming music

[roger]

gonna try to catch this one, Rick. I've always enjoyed Ponty.

I have a kick-ass trio album he did in 1968 with Eddy Louiss on organ, and Daniel Humair on drums. live at some Paris club. awesome.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by roger

gonna try to catch this one, Rick. I've always enjoyed Ponty.

I have a kick-ass trio album he did in 1968 with Eddy Louiss on organ, and Daniel Humair on drums. live at some Paris club. awesome.

Now THAT is supersexycool.