Originally posted June 11, 2009
Jean Luc Ponty - Hamburg, Germany
September 17, 1976
FM Source @192
September 17, 1976
FM Source @192
*Enclosed Notes*
Jazz fusion by itself is already a vast field. Violin jazz fusion might narrow things down somewhat and Jean-Luc Ponty stands out among its practitioners. Ponty might have been trained in classical music but under the influence of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, he switched to jazz and for someone who has played on John McLaughlin/Mahavishnu Orchestra albums, he certainly needs no introduction. And anyone who is endorsed by Frank Zappa is certainly worth at least a listen.
The mid-’70s was a fruitful period for Ponty. He had released Aurora in December 1975 and barely six months later, he released Imaginary Voyage and fans simply lapped up the selections he played at this 1976 Hamburg show.
This is certainly not drive-time fusion or jazz for lounging in the afternoon. This is fiery red-hot fusion with Ponty attacking the music with a vengeance. One can only wonder what demons he was trying to exorcise.
Thanks to tgb25nld who shared this very good FM (re-)broadcast on the Dime site. And tgb25nld is not off the mark when he noted: “Here is a truly spectacular set from JLP with Steurmer (g), Fowler (b), Craney (d) and Zavod (kbd) that will melt your speakers and intoxicate your mind.
Jazz fusion by itself is already a vast field. Violin jazz fusion might narrow things down somewhat and Jean-Luc Ponty stands out among its practitioners. Ponty might have been trained in classical music but under the influence of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, he switched to jazz and for someone who has played on John McLaughlin/Mahavishnu Orchestra albums, he certainly needs no introduction. And anyone who is endorsed by Frank Zappa is certainly worth at least a listen.
The mid-’70s was a fruitful period for Ponty. He had released Aurora in December 1975 and barely six months later, he released Imaginary Voyage and fans simply lapped up the selections he played at this 1976 Hamburg show.
This is certainly not drive-time fusion or jazz for lounging in the afternoon. This is fiery red-hot fusion with Ponty attacking the music with a vengeance. One can only wonder what demons he was trying to exorcise.
Thanks to tgb25nld who shared this very good FM (re-)broadcast on the Dime site. And tgb25nld is not off the mark when he noted: “Here is a truly spectacular set from JLP with Steurmer (g), Fowler (b), Craney (d) and Zavod (kbd) that will melt your speakers and intoxicate your mind.
Track List:
Track 01. Is Once Enough
Track 01. Is Once Enough
Track 02. Polyfolk Dance
Track 03. Lost Forest
Track 04. Aurora
Track 05. Renaissance
Track 06. Question with No Answers
Track 07. Passenger of the Dark
Track 08. Bowing-Bowing
Track 09. Tarantula
Track 10. Wandering on the Milky Way
Track 11. Fight for Life
Track 04. Aurora
Track 05. Renaissance
Track 06. Question with No Answers
Track 07. Passenger of the Dark
Track 08. Bowing-Bowing
Track 09. Tarantula
Track 10. Wandering on the Milky Way
Track 11. Fight for Life
Lineup:
Jean-Luc Ponty - violins
Darryl Stuermer - guitar
Tom Fowler - bass
Mark Craney - drums
Allan Zavod - keyboard
Jean-Luc Ponty - violins
Darryl Stuermer - guitar
Tom Fowler - bass
Mark Craney - drums
Allan Zavod - keyboard
This is well worth hearing if you don't already have it! Very young Craney rips on the drums, along with Tom Fowler, Sturmer, Zavod, JLP, of course!
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