Le Voyage: A Jean luc Ponty Anthology.

Le Voyage: A Jean luc Ponty Anthology.

By

James P. Zaworski

Jazz/Rock/Fusion French Violinists are certainly not the norm in the spheres of popular music, or musique populaire. You can count fewer than the fingers on one hand and have them pegged, and Jean luc Ponty is the one who stands out from the rest. When you compare him to violinists in general, he also stands out too because of his inimitable style, his unique quality, his creativity, his deep soul and his love of music. You could say the same about Itzak Perlman and more, perhaps, but with Jean luc Ponty, you have a deep soul, a deep spirit, that is full of understanding and full of the creativity that underlies the joy of musical composition and performance. I think that this is something that is lacking in many musicians and composers these days, but it is wonderful to encounter it, when one can. In my experience, there are fewer than twenty individuals still living who fall into this category, and Jean luc Ponty is among the forefront of them.

To pick up a best of compilation is usually an experience of sure commercial popularity, or of the record label promoting what it can milk out of the artist. In this case, Le Voyage is more of an anthology than a best of compilation, since jazz/rock/fusion is not typically a popular musical venue, and the first thing here delineates the second, that is: the record label would have very little to milk at best, from this dried up (sales wise) cow.
What follows is a brief table of information about this double CD Anthology, followed by a rather lengthy review of what I consider to be the highlights of Le Voyage.

Information on Jean luc Ponty: Le Voyage.


Record Label: Rhino Records
Artist: Jean luc Ponty.
Number of Disks: 2
Copyright: 1996.
Contributor Allan Holdsworth • Patrice Rushen • Scott Henderson
Genre Jazz Instrument
Performer Ponty, Jean-Luc
Record Label Rhino Records
UPC 081227215521
Songs, Disc 1
DISC 1:
1. Question With No Answer

2. Bowing-Bowing

3. Echoes Of The Future

4. Aurora, Part II

5. Waking Dream

6. Renaissance

7. New Country

8. Enigmatic Ocean, Part II

9. Enigmatic Ocean, Part III

10. Mirage

11. Egocentric Molecules

12. Cosmic Messenger

13. Ethereal Mood

14. I Only Feel Good With You

15. No Strings Attached - (live)

Songs, Disc 2
DISC 2:
1. Stay With Me

2. Taste For Passion, A

3. Once A Blue Planet

4. Forms Of Life

5. Rhythms Of Hope

6. Mystical Adventures (Suite), Part IV

7. Mystical Adventures (Suite), Part V

8. Jig

9. Final Truth, Part I

10. Computer Incantations For World Peace

11. Individual Choice

12. Nostalgia

13. Eulogy To Oscar Romero

14. Infinite Pursuit

15. In The Kingdom Of Peace

16. Caracas

17. Forever Together







Review/Highlights.

Disk 1.

Bowing. Bowing.

This is the second tune on the first CD of the Anthology. The CD is arranged basically in a chronological way. I chose this one to be considered a highlight here because of the quality and mood that is captured and encapsulated here. In this all-instrumental tune, Jean luc Ponty really defines himself in a way, in terms of the words he will use, musically, in his vocabulary in expressing the things he wishes to convey from his music. These kinds of things are deep musicality, a sense of wonder, a sense of magic, and a sense of being. This is really a wonderful tune in its own way. On the one hand, it is whimsical, and on the other, there is seriousness about the music that belies the whimsy. Jean luc plays his violin with subtlety here, and he allows the other musicians to do their respective and equal part. This is sometimes the true mark of the gentleman performer, who is not the show caser, or the braggart. Of course the next one is different.

Echoes of the Future. (From the recording Upon the Wings of Music)

This one is electric: an electric violin. The tune begins with an almost ethereal nature to it, with the violin being played not with a bow, but plucked like a guitar. There are overdubs too, of bow playing on the violin. This one, Echoes of the Future, is wholly about pretension, and it shows that life in the future is not sure. Certainty is not the theme here. This is a rather beautiful, yet frightening track in its beauty and majesty. I like it immensely because it echoes my own life. You never know what is going to happen.

Aurora, Part II. (From the record, Aurora)

This one is the second part of a tune called Aurora, from the recording made around 1976 of the same name. It is a shame that the title track of that record was not included in this Anthology, but we have to work with the tools that were given to us. This one is a completely jazz/fusion tune. Guitar, violin and keyboard start out in a lively trio of syncopation discussing in 32nd notes and 64th notes the way to introduce a real fusion tune. They all agree and the bass and drums join in, and we are entreated to a display of very nice improvisation by the electric violin, as Jean-luc toys with our emotions, as he plays with a fast fervor, and then hits us with feathery jabs of delight as his bow hits strings. Whizzing up and down the scales of the fret board of the violin, the solo climaxes and transforms into a guitar solo by Darryl, who fixates his energy on a sort of funk filled Guitar solo full of counterpoint and improvisation of 64th notes. It is no wonder that he was chosen as the guitarist to fill in on progressive rock legend Genesis. The track ends as it began. “Aurora” is another great tune on this CD. It is complete pretension with all the musicians having a go.

Renaissance. (From the record, Aurora)

Running Time: 5 minutes and 45 seconds.

It was this track that really drew me to Jean-luc Ponty, and it is not a characteristic track, in that he plays acoustic violin in it (most JLP songs are done with the 5-string electric Zeta violin these days). This track starts out with plucked strings of the Autoharp and acoustic violin, in a very classical style. “Renaissance” is a truly classical composition, and it flows along, as does a mountain stream in the Apennines. Extremely expressive in his positive outlook in soloing in this piece, Jean-luc gives us an impression of the “new renaissance”, that is, in my opinion, jazz/fusion music, which can seem to be almost anything under the sun, including classical music combined with jazz improvisation. All instruments played here are acoustic. Jean-luc plays with such soft beauty in his solos that he carries you away on the silent wings of freedom. Darryl plays the second solo here, on his acoustic guitar, and it would almost make Al Di Meola proud to hear it. The third solo is Patrice on piano, and she does a fine job as well. The pervasive theme is repeated, as it is between solos, until it repeats again before ending. This is my favorite piece on the CD.


New Country. (From the album Imaginary Voyage).

God, this is a wonderful tune! Clap your hands, as, French folk-style; Jean luc treats you to his own style of magic on the violin. But throw in a jazzy element to it, and a nice acoustic guitar by a guy named Daryl Stuermer, and you have a nice combination. Mark Craney on drums and Tom Fowler on bass do a fine job on rhythm section with Allan Zavod on the drums. What you have in New Country is a wholly joyful feel! You want to spring up and dance, and you can do a nice French jig to this, let me tell you! It is truly worthy of being on this compilation.

Enigmatic Ocean Part 1, 2, 3 from the album of the same name.


Part two is incredible, and is full fusion. You have Jean luc starting out playing over a wonderful and very lively tempo in the likes of Ralph Armstrong on bass and the drummer going crazy, with the guitar player, I think it is Allan Holdsworth, jamming all along, with Zavod on keys. Yes, it is Holdsworth, as I am writing as I listen. This is a very ambitious tune, where there are typical jazz/rock/fusion themes, which were new, by the way in the mid to late 1970s. You get some fantastic soloing here by all of the musicians, especially Ponty on violin, and the phenomenal guitarist (totally unrecognized, by the way), Allan Holdsworth. There is even a nice bass solo by Ralph Armstrong in the third part. Holdsworth plays his guitar so effortlessly, he seems to just have to let go of the strings to make magic after a flurry. Ponty allows for all of these musicians to shine, and it really shows here that he is their equal and their musical chum. It is a pleasure to listen to this tune not only because of the inventiveness and beauty of the music that is performed, but also for the great and deep respect and complimentarily that the musicians have for one another.

Egocentric Molecules. (From Cosmic Messenger)

This is a really excellent tune! I have to say that is probably a jazz/fusion classic in the way that it is performed. I have this one on vinyl, Cosmic Messenger is the album. There is a sense of urgent dramatics in this tune. I love it, as there are some wonderful individual and group performances here, the first is a guitar solo. But I am not sure of the guitarist, it might be Holdsworth, but I am not sure. What I am sure is that you hear Ralph Armstrong going effortlessly on behind him on the bass guitar, and the drummer jamming all along too. There are intervals here that separate solos, and the next one is Ralph on bass guitar. Man, he jams, totally! I live for this tune because of this bass solo, and it seems an odd thing to say about in terms a music review of a violinists career. The musical separation occurs once again, and it is not Pontys turn to jam on his electric five-string zeta violin. He jams as usual, and plays with a conviction that would give you twenty years if he were a prosecutor! This is completely and utterly an excellent tune!

Disk 2.

Stay With Me (from a Taste for Passion).

Jean luc Ponty takes a decidedly different turn in his musical career, as is evinced by this disk 2 of this anthology. Stay With Me is a case in point. There is much more feeling now put into the composition, less whimsy, perhaps less grandeur. There is more emotion. He now plays keyboards almost as much as his violin playing. It is at once beautiful and musically subtle. The themes that develop through here are different in tone and in scope and in focus than in the first disk. Something has changed in Jean luc, perhaps maturity has enveloped his composition, but his playing has perfected technically on the violin in a way you will not hear before. Stay With Me is really a wonderful and beautiful tune. It is one of my favorites on this compilation as well.

A Taste for Passion. (From the album of the same name).

You have here piano introducing this long tune, put out in 1979. Jaime Glaiser really shines on guitar, as does Joaquin Lievano. This is one of those classic 20-minute fusion wonders that no one other than jazz and fusion fans understand. It is wonderful, full of musical changes, tonalities, counterpoint, jazz improvisation, and beautiful solos and wonderful music. It is another highlight.

Rhythms of Hope.

This one is truly a wonder of harmony and splendor. Rhythms of Hope features Jean luc on an acoustic violin and Ralph Armstrong on his electric bass guitar. The two are inseparable on the whole instrumental tune. They compliment one another so well, it is amazing! Also, there are two wonderful solos in this tune, and the first is by Jean luc Ponty on his acoustic violin. Man, he really jams on it! The second solo is by Armstrong, and he really plays his heart out! God, he really jams on the bass guitar! I mean, he is not quite a Stanley Clarke, but he is the next best thing on the bass guitar!
This tune, Rhythms of Hope, is another Ponty favorite of mine.

Jig.

You cannot help but be drawn into this one. Jig is really one of my all time favorite Jean luc Ponty tunes! It is so much fun, you want to just join in the French folk jig, kicking up your heels as you listen to him jam out on the electric violin. This tune is BRILLIANT!!!!


Final Truth.

Oh my God! This one is magnificent! Talk about the conclusion to the questions of the meaning of life, or existence, I think that Jean luc has these answers here musically. Really, the music is incredible and the playing of the individual musicians is incredible. For example, Ponty himself leads the band in playing brilliantly, followed by Armstrong on bass, which is always perfect and present. Then, there is the piano player, Chris Rhyne, whom I have never heard of before. He plays wonderfully and solos brilliantly too. This song really plays well and is magnificent too.


Computer Incantations for World Peace. (From the album Individual Choice)

Ponty chooses to play keyboards and synthesizers and computers here on this all keyboard solo, at least at first. Jean luc comes in on violin, and he plays so beautifully, it is wonderful. I like it. It is nice, and it is the first tune I ever heard while making out with a girl, way back in the early 1980s. Enough said. It is romantic.

Individual Choice. (From the Album of the same Name).

This one is another classic early 1980s tune from Ponty that displays that he has evolved yet further into the realm of technology, but has also retained his style too. He plays beautifully on the violin on his one too.

Nostalgia. (From the album Individual Choice).

Jean luc plays two instruments on this one, a bass keyboard and violin and the other musician is Allan Holdsworth, on guitar. This is the tune that got me into Holdsworth because he really shines on this, playing his electric guitar almost effortlessly. Beautiful and haunting and technical all at once is the tune Nostalgia. Wonderful and brilliant and it is a tune that again showcases Ponty and his guest musician wonderfully, as a host should honor his invited guest.


All in all, Le Voyage is an anthology of the best of Jean luc Ponty music. It is very representative of his style of music, but is not completely encompassing of it. You would have to buy all of this over 35 recordings to get that feel. But if you have $10-15 to spend and want to check out Jean luc Ponty, buy Le Voyage. I did, and it is a beautiful CD to hear. Jean luc Ponty is one of my favorite musicians and composers extant.