In the Prog Seat: Ranking the Albums-Jean Luc Ponty

[@robertjewell9727]

Shared with Jean-Luc. He sent this response: Thanks, Robert. I’ll take a look as soon as I can find a moment.

[@fernandoperdomomusic]

my top 10 1. Enigmatic Ocean 2. Aurora 3. Live 4. Imaginary Voyage 5.Cosmic Messenger 6. Taste of Passion 7. Mystical Adventures 8.Individual Choice 9. Apon The Wings of Music 10. Civilized Evil JLP is one of my top 10 favorite artists.. and opening up for him was a top 10 ever gig for me and he was amazing ..

[@jornfox3545]

Saw Jean-Luc Ponty in '86 at the Pacific Amphitheater with Scott Henderson on guitar, awesome.

[@stuarthecht8196]

"Enigmatic Ocean" is unquestionably my favorite Jean Luc Ponty album, as well as one of my top favorite albums of all groups. There is a strong connection to prog rock on "Enigmatic Ocean," and it is every bit as intense as a heavy rock LP. I would add that all JLP's albums from the mid-late '70's have this strong appeal to prog rock listeners like myself. Ahmet Ertegun knew it for sure- that's why he signed Jean Luc Ponty to Atlantic Records, keeping good company with the greatest classic and prog rockers of the day! And of course, Genesis knew it, as they discovered guitarist Daryl Stuermer and used him as a live replacement for Steve Hackett. Thank you so much Pete for covering this amazing artist!

[@alexandremacedo2979]

Enigmatic Ocean is my favourite too. Allan Holdswotth playing is legendary

[@shyshift]

@@alexandremacedo2979 Allan always said this was his happiest session.

[@jeremyf9476]

Enjoyed this very much! Discovered Jean Luc Ponty from buying random vinyl at a garage sale about 5 years ago. Picked up Cosmic Messenger on a lark and absolutely love it!

[@dannyschneider553]

The seventies stuff by far the best . Great show Pete. Seen Mr Ponty 4 times . Top 5 for me . 1. Enigmatic ocean 2. Aurora 3. Imaginary voyage 4. Cosmic messenger 5. A taste of passion

[@AeWingnut]

I'm with Anthony. Cosmic Messenger was my first and favorite.

[@captainbeyond7469]

I remember being sixteen and seeing Jean-Luc perform New County on the Merv Griffin show of all places and have been a fan every since. A brilliant musician.

[@PeterMcGrath-l1o]

Thank you for giving JLP his due, truly great albums

[@guillaumechabason3165]

You can watch Daryl Stuermer and Mark Craney playing live in 1979 with Gino Vannelli on KZbin check Brother to brother live

[@cheezruff]

Jean Luc Ponty- my first go to artist for the Pandemic

[@mattmiller2761]

His albums always had great sound quality. I was building speakers back in the 70's and used his early catalog as reference material.

[@TractorCountdown]

That was great fun to watch, chaps. I love the work Ponty did on Honky Chateau. Now I can seriously get into his albums. Thank you!

[@chiragchittar4179]

This video was an education thanks guys! Love hearing all of you talk as always. I agree with the orders largely but I have to say my favourite guitarist who has ever played with ponty is Daryl stuermer. I was completely blown away when I heard the albums which he played on what a revelation. I knew him through the genesis tours and I only came to know later that he was the one who played with ponty even though I had heard those albums before. My top 5: 1. Cosmic messenger 2. Imaginary voyage 3. Aurora 4. Enigmatic ocean 5. A taste for passion

[@Scoharr]

I had the pleasure of being at the concert that was recorded for the 1979 Live album in Santa Barbara. His solos with the effects were mind-blowing. I've also seen Jean-Luc with Zappa and Mahavishnu as well as a later concert after "The Gift of Time." Talk about "highlights" in my concert-going experience! I got all of these albums when they first came out, starting with Upon the Wings of Music, all the way through the Atacama Experience. BTW, 'Storytelling' is very underrated.

[@arnaudb.7669]

Ponty is the king of symphonic jazz-fusion. \o/ Amazing show. Here my picks : 1- Enigmatic Ocean 2- Imaginary Voyage 3- Cosmic Messenger 4- Aurora 5- Upon the Wings of Music 6- Mystical Adventures 7- A Taste for Passion 8- Civilized Evil 9- Individual Choice 10- Open Mind

[@themuffinman3135]

One of the first concerts I ever saw was Jean Luc Ponty on the Imaginary Voyage tour. It was one of the best concerts I ever saw and made me a fan for life. Great Show Guys.

[@rickandroll63]

Nice job gentlemen! My ten: 10. Storytelling 9. Fables 8. A Taste For Passion 7. Individual Choice 6. Civilized Evil 5. Aurora 4. Cosmic Messenger 3. Mystical Adventures 2. Imaginary Voyage 1. Enigmatic Ocean Rayford Griffin needed a little more love :) What's interesting is my favorite Ponty song is "Far From the Beaten Paths", not any of the ones on the great early records.

[@marcelob4132]

Good list! Check out Top 5 Upon The Wings Of Music

[@rickandroll63]

Thanks! I will have to revisit that one again.

[@fernandoperdomomusic]

A friend wanted me to troubleshoot his vinyl setup and he said.. bring your favorite sounding record.. I brought Enigmatic Ocean .. he hated it hahahahah..

[@awickedtribe]

I came here from Pete's Review of a Be Bop Deluxe release... which I am ordering tonight... Now I have to rearrange Saturday's order because when I went through Ponty collection I found out that the only albums I have of his are live albums (including the Grappelli collaborations) but not one studio album. I think I'm going to just get all the first picks here... then get the rest later.

[@rickweigle5559]

Aurora,imaginary voyage, cosmic messenger,enigmatic ocean,his top 4 rockinest albums.

[@Jaybird-zl9ve]

Thanks a lot guys! Now I'm going to spend the next 3 days listening to the JLP catalog. No really. Thank you, thank you, thank you...

[@vinylmeister2165]

You won't be disappointed! Check out his style changes as he progresses through the catalog.

[@Jaybird-zl9ve]

I have 5 or 6 of them. The 70's and Mystical Adventures. Oh yeah, I also have No Absolute Time from the 90's. I'll have to fill in the blanks on Apple music I guess.

[@Quarnoz]

Love the Ponty coverage! This is making me want to fill in some of the blanks in my collection. I never even thought of violin as a rock or jazz instrument until my dad introduced me to his playing. Turns out there was lots of great stuff in the seventies that incorporated the instrument heavily into a rock format (Crimson, Curved Air, U.K., and others).

[@ericporter344]

Absolutely love his 70s output. Great show

[@LarsBjerregaard]

Great list guys, good show! Yeah, Cosmic Messenger was my first love as well, so always special, but Enigmatic is fantastic.

[@rightchordleadership]

I saw ponty with Demeola and Clarke outside Philly a few years back. Insane.

[@danielsan3681]

First!! When I saw the title I jumped!! 😃 Mystical Adventure for me.

[@awickedtribe]

Pah!!! you're only number one... I am double one... twice one!!!! 11

[@nsgobbi]

I’ve been to 5 shows in São Paulo, all of them state-of-art fusion gigs. What is really noticeable is that not only JLP shines himself but he also allows all the band members to give their best, it is easy to see how happy they are supporting the master. All in all, the highlight to me was Randy Jackson solo in “Mirage” 1980.

[@brentorr9953]

These gentlemen are the prog fusion experts

[@GregoryMCRay]

My favorite is A taste of Passion The double kick does it

[@Smlmusic2650]

Hey guys, really enjoyed this one as I really enjoy Jean-Luc Ponty's music. Unfortunately I don't have all of his records but I ordered a couple I wasn't familiar with tonight. I'll try my best to rank my top 10 here: 10. Storytelling 9. A Taste for Passion 8. The Gift of Time 7. Individual Choice 6. Fables (You guys didn't mention "In the Kingdom of Peace" that one makes me cry) 5. Civilized Evil 4. Mysterious Traveler 3. Imaginary Voyage 2. Cosmic Messenger 1. Enigmatic Ocean

[@neoland666]

What made a lasting impression on me, was seeing a juggler, as support act to Asia (!) in 1983, doing his act to "Beach Girl" . Great to hear that tune, blasting through a PA.

[@shyshift]

I started with Enigmatic Ocean. I have a 5 disc mini box bought about a year ago. Upon The Wings Of Music Aurora Imaginary Voyage Enigmatic Ocean(favorite) Cosmic Messenger And on cd: The Jean-Luc Ponty Experience with The George Duke Trio Storytelling No Absolute Time Live And on lp: Mystical Adventures Civilized Evil Individual Choice(least favorite)

[@zeelias_zezito65]

10 Ponty/Grappelli (1984) 9 Enigmatic ocean 8 Civilized evil 7 Upon the wings of music 6 Imaginary voyage 5 The gift of time 4 Aurora 3 Fables 2 Mystical adventures 1 Cosmic messenger

[@337336324317313306]

not a lot of other comments mentioning the gift of time which i also really like

[@artosarla499]

Thanks guys for a great show and especially for highlighting Patrice Rushen on keyboards. My first Jean-Luc Ponty record was Aurora and as you pointed out she really shines on it. She also recorded stellar albums as a headliner in the mid-70's, such as Prelusion and Before The Dawn on Prestige. They have been released on one CD and I highly recommend it 👌

[@lazarossamaras4427]

Great show again. You opened a new door for me. I only have Enigmatic and Cosmic Messenger. Gonna check the others. Keep it up.

[@gabrielheftye973]

“ King Kong :JLP plays The Music of Frank Zappa”, “The Jean Luc Ponty Experience with The George Duke Trio, Enigmatic Ocean and Aurora.

[@mtbalpinecounty]

Also Juaquin played that live on the 1 Album..Warriors..in Palo alto. I was there and I hear myself on pickup mics..

[@robertknepper9386]

Saw Jean luc Ponty Mystical Adventures tour Boston Music hall Quick note went to sit in our seats and light and sound board occupying our seats was brought to 3rd row Later on Saw Anderson Ponty band Berkley Preformnce hall Boston Better late than Never tour awesome show as well

[@jeffboyce2184]

Great show Pete

[@robertjewell9727]

Sharing with Jean-Luc if that's okay. 👍

[@benavich8]

Fantastic show, Pete. As a bassist, Ralphe Armstrong is hands down the bass player from that era who just blew me away...along with Stanley. Cosmic, Enigmatic and Taste for Passion my top 3. Saw them in Detroit 3 times, first time was the Cosmic Messenger tour. Gee-zuz, what a show!!

[@EixtremeDrummer]

Imaginary Voyage... Mark Craney on drums is absolutely spectacular there, you are right!

[@carlasprilla]

Great to learn that Ray Parker Jr is featured in Upon The Wings of Music. He wrote Doin’ It, the opening track in Herbie Hancock’s Secret (1976). He plays fiery rhythm guitar on Herbie Hancock’s 1977 VSOP Live album!

[@snowfiresunwind]

Pete when you said ' . . . is there anything that guy has played on that has not been great?' you summed it up perfectly! Holdsworth always gave 100% on anything he ever played. Please do a Ranking the Albums on Allan Holdsworth.

[@sotdude7]

It’s coming!

[@shyshift]

I love and have everything Allan Holdsworth played even his first band,Igginbottom’s Wrench.

[@saintgeorge6706]

I saw Jean-Luc Ponty perform twice in the mid-70s. At the London School of Economics and the Chalk Farm Roundhouse.

[@feber16]

I was very glad to see a video about JLP.. I have never been much of a jazz or a jazz fusion fan which is why it does seem unusual that I became such a big Ponty fan. I think I got interested in him in the early to mid 80's. I have seen him 3 times and have 17 of his records but am missing a couple mentioned here that I am definitely going to have to listen to soon and probably buy. I do not own, nor have I heard, Cosmic Messenger or Imaginary Voyage. I am most interested in his melodic songs. My choices for his favorite albums are some that are most likely way down the list for you. (some of them anyway). My favorites are Taste of Passion, Civilized Evil, Individual Choice, Gift of Time, Storytelling and Life Enigma. I know I might get booted off this site for saying that I have never been able to get into Enigmatic Ocean. I know it is his most popular record - I will give it another spin. As far as individual songs that I love that are not on my top album choices - two that stand out are "Renaissance" from Aurora and "Elephants in Love" (love that title!) from Fables.

[@goatuscrow4135]

“King Kong” is a masterpiece. By the way, anyone remember his late 70’s PBS special? Can’t remember its title but it was my introduction to JLP and it was great.

[@jbognap]

Search youtube for jean luc ponty fiddlers three.

[@donaldanderson6604]

I saw JLP in London in 76 with Daryl Stuermer and Tom Fowler so I'm going for Aurora and Imaginary Voyage. I was in the front row in a tiny, packed hall at the London School of Economics. It was still one of the best gigs I've ever heard. When he played stuff from King Kong....... I'd also vote for The Rite of Strings as well as his collaboration with Jon Anderson.

[@donaldanderson6604]

@xxmiles I felt sorry for the folk singer who opened (late). He actually won the audience over but it was worth waiting for JLP. I'm listening to Aurora and the interplay between Ponty and Stuermer is amazing.

[@joegrinvalsky7222]

George, Clarke DiMeola Ponty supported the record not far away (technically not the same market) at the old Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut on August 15, 1995. It was still a stage in the round that spun. Stellar performance. Thank you for finally doing this review. Complete agreement; Ponty recordings from 1976 thru 1979 were amazing. First time I saw Ponty he had some Australian guitarist whom I thought had some impressive chops... What's his name? Oh, Frank Gambale...

[@johngarcia268]

I saw rite of strings on tour in Texas of all places. Great show!

[@geneleonard4368]

I saw the Enigmatic Ocean ,Cosmic messenger, & a Taste for passion tours all were fantastic my favorite being Enigmatic Ocean & his bands were excellent & Ralph Armstrong was incredible !!

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

Yes, "Enigmatic Ocean" is the best followed by "Imaginary Voyage", "Cosmic Messenger", and "Aurora". The live album is great and too short. I also love the "Plays Zappa" album. I agree that Patrice Rushen is amazing on the early albums. Her first two albums are instrumental jazz and very good, especially "Before the Dawn".

[@marcelob4132]

1 Aurora 2 Enigmatic Oceans 3 Cosmic Messenger 4 Upon The Wings Of Music 5 Imaginary Voyage 6 Fables 7 Mystical Adventures 8 Civilized Evil 9 Taste For Passion 10 Civilized Evil

[@wolftree3948]

I don't know anything about this artist, but somehow as a classic rock only listener and Circus / Hit Parader magazine reader from the 70's (and as anyone who read these mags regularly know what I'm talking about), his Taste for Passion album found its way into my modest cd collection in the early 90's and I played it a lot. Haven't heard any more from him since but who knows.

[@mellotronin54]

Jean Luc Ponty . I got into him through an Allan Holdsworth obsession. Soon replaced with a JLP obsession. Some great albums. And that has been since 1979, Glorious . He did start repeating himself in the sequencing the albums in an Alan Parsons mode.

[@thekivster]

Has anyone listened to his collaboration with Stéphane Grappelli from 1974? I haven’t listened to it yet but I heard it’s good.

[@preving]

I love Cosmic Messenger

[@satchboogy8168]

Ray Parker was a first call session guitarist in the 70s like Steve Lukather. It’s too bad people only think of him as the “Ghostbusters” guy.

[@arnaudb.7669]

Pete, the first album of Patrice Rushen called "Prelusion" (1974) is absolutely fantastic. If you like Herbie Hancock 60's and 70's era you will love it.

[@ilabelle1]

I saw JLP open for Supertramp for the Breakfast in America tour. I remember his clear acrylic violin. Very cool. I bought Imaginary Voyage after seeing him. Those albums he released in the late 70’s were all quality stuff. I loved the stuff he did with Zappa as well. He also “recently” did a live album with Jon Anderson that I enjoy quite a bit. Lately I’ve been listening to his Live at Donte’s album from 1969, a more straightforward jazz album and kinda the last of its kind in his extensive catalogue. Don’t forget that Jean Luc has been at this since the early 60’s. Some serious fiddling going’ on with this guy. Look out Jobson!

[@rickandroll63]

Go to the two minute mark of the Imaginary Voyage suite and it's dead ringer for the Mary Tyler Moore show theme.

[@terryjohnson5275]

I was late to the fusion party, had always been a hard rock, heavy metal, prog rock fan and didnt start getting into it until around 2002 - my introduction to Ponty was off a compilation called Atlantic Jazz Fusion which had Egocentric Molecules on it - it also has tracks from Alphonse Mouzpon, Billy Cobham, Passport, Les MCCann and Miroslav Vitous. After a few years I had built up my fusion collection and for me I would rate my favourites - i.e. the ones I would go to first , as being RTF , then Ponty, then DiMeola, then Mahavishnu, so his joining with RTF for RTF 4 was great. I cant disagree with the guys choices at all - top 5 - Enigmatic Ocean, Imaginary Voyage, Cosmic Messenger, Aurora, Upon the Wings of music - and yeah tath live album should have been a double - thanfully he did a load of radio broadcasts in the late 70's that can be found if you know where to look for them.

[@ericporter344]

Enigmatic Ocean is my favorite JLP, I also think it also features Holdsworth's best playing....mind blowing

[@paulkazakoff9231]

Many good albums by Ponty but Aurora to me is the best. There's not a bad track on it and just so engaging from start to finish.Great tunes superb musicianship.Can't go wrong with this one folks !

[@jbognap]

Funny, JLP complained that Chick Corea (RIP) was always plucking his guitarists away - Henderson, Glaser and Gambale

[@observer127]

I would add the title track to A Taste For Passion as my favorite along with Stay With Me.

[@erikberg5363]

Love me some JLP. I haven’t heard very many of his albums but the 5 I have heard are all great! 5. King Kong 4. Civilized Evil 3. Mystical Adventures 2. Cosmic Messenger 1. Aurora I’ll need to check out Upon the Wings of Music, Imaginary Voyage, Enigmatic Ocean and A Taste for Passion next!

[@arnaudb.7669]

Enigmatic Ocean is a masterpiece.

[@kevinputry5655]

Man this is so hard for me to put these in order but here's my top 10: 1-Imaginary Voyage/2-Enigmatic Ocean/3-Cosmic Messsenger/4-Aurora/5-Upon the Wings of Music/6-Civilized Evil/7-A Taste For Passion/8-Mystical Adventures/9-Individual Choice/10-King Kong

[@mtbalpinecounty]

Here's a question for ya.. What Science program used A track of Ponty as an Intro.. You said it a few times.. It's your serve.. And Jean Michelle Jarre.. He had a track inthe the beginning on Nova on PBS from.the Equinox album. Dig deep guys!..

[@diegobellostroligosampaio1757]

Good night, Legends please!!!🙏🇧🇷

[@nsgobbi]

Amigo, imagino que vc quis dizer “legendas” certo ? Primeiro, o correto é “subtitles”. E isto não depende deles mas de vc mesmo, dê um toque na tela e outro toque sobre o icone “cc” - done !! Suporte gratuito de um super fã de JLP aqui em SP, tive o privilégio de assistir a 5 shows fantasticos em SP. Grande abs.

[@diegobellostroligosampaio1757]

@@nsgobbi Sim, com certeza isso que Eu quis dizer, porém as vezes Eu dou um toque nas legendas"cc"mais pra mim não aparece, porém no dia seguinte fui assistir de novo e estava disponível. Obrigado pela correção. 👍👍

[@nsgobbi]

You’re welcome !!!

[@mtbalpinecounty]

Great info on Deeper dig I gotta look into.. Ponty is a one a week listen in its entirety. I use it as a background to my day in the Dirt. I build trails..8 hours and he's been there with me alot.. #wileyswheelworks

[@timothywills7709]

Allan Zavod was in Maynard Ferguson's big band before he joined Ponty. He sounded great then also!

[@lahloonatic]

Musically speaking, as a guitarist Rutherford is a great bassist. Pedestrian leads, compared to some great rhythm and bass playing.

[@kennbrown4638]

You got that right.

[@GregoryMCRay]

My favorite is A taste of Passion The double kick

[@monsieurdupraz8579]

At last ... a french musician :-) A compatriot. Any project of "Ranking the albums of Magma" ??

[@fandorwow5141]

la sainte Trinité Grapelli, Lockwood, Ponty!

[@monsieurdupraz8579]

@@fandorwow5141 Goddamn right

[@arnaudb.7669]

Pete don't like Magma ;o)

[@monsieurdupraz8579]

@@arnaudb.7669 I can teach him 😁

[@arnaudb.7669]

@@monsieurdupraz8579 Bon courage ^^ compatriote aussi ;)

[@lahloonatic]

This is a pretty great line-up for fusion. George, Chuck, Pete and Anthony... even if he does peddle around Olias. I mean, "Qoquaq ën transic / Naon / Transic tö"? Sorry, Napoleon is not cool enough to pull off the Magma or the Deus Ex Machina, fictitious or dead language shtick. Love ya dude... And great choices! For me, top 3 are Imaginary Voyage, The Zappa album and Enigmatic Oceans.

[@chuckazeee]

Gracias mi hermano, while it was a long day at work doing this show with these three gents made my day.

[@arunsabherwal6256]

Jean Luc Pintu, Dr. L Subramaniam, Billy Cobham is sublime.

[@gratefulblac]

Hi Pete, got a suggestion for podcast(s) debate and discussion - Band/Album Rivalries - Here are a few examples - Genesis Trick of the Tail v Peter Gabriel 1 Monterey v Woodstock Black Sabbath Heaven and Hell v Ozzy Osbourne Blizzard of Oz Blind Faith v Derek and th Dominies Ziggy Stardust v Transformer (Lou Reed) The Ramones v The Clash Crosby Stills and Nash 1 v Neil Young After the Goldrush Tommy v Quadrophenia King Crimson Red v King Crimson Dscipline Jeff Beck Ola v Led Zeppelin 1 Soft Machine v Matching Mole Fleetwood Mac - Then Play On v Rumours Metallica v Megadeth Deep Purple v Rainbow Hawkwind v Motorhead What do you think?

[@arnaudb.7669]

Good idea!

[@michaelbenz8092]

Great rankings. Mine would be very similar. I'd add Tchokola in the mix.

[@jasonshort1437]

Saw him on that tour, great show and band!

[@arunsabherwal6256]

Jean Luc Ponty, John McLaughlin with Zakir Hussain is awesome.

[@MrMaynardWR]

the solo on cat tales is Allan Holdsworth

[@johnwilson1689]

Daryl Stuermer should have been the 4th man in Genesis after Hackett left. What were they thinking?

[@pitfisch1]

Agreed ;-)

[@EliphasDesni]

My favourite drummer for Jean Is Mark Craney.

[@jamesreckling6697]

How could anyone put Enigmatic Ocean at 3 is beyond me.

[@PhilipPedro2112]

Before I watch, Mystical Adventures should be #1.

[@nathanwatson1915]

Imaginary Voyage at the top.

[@todd3741]

😮

[@EixtremeDrummer]

I seems that you all judge the JLP albums based on the lineup of each one. No sense.

[@georgelamie7001]

All kinds of sense. There is more focus on individuals because there is more soloing than other genres. music is largely about the style, personality, and ability of those who craft it. What's next...we shouldn't judge a meal by the chef, or the piece of art by the artist? Of course it plays a big role, otherwise, every JLP record would be equal, since one guy composed it all

[@GregoryMCRay]

My favorite is A taste of Passion The double kick does it