Ralph Towner -- Nardis

[@maxwillow3483]

Ralph Towner created a style of poly-rhythmical guitar playing that makes him (and/or Oregon) one of the greatest musicians in the past 50 years.

[@adamgustafson5475]

Wholeheartedly agree

[@michaelvaladez6570]

To see this performance is just real treat his material was still young but it showed his attention to it being played in many ways as a percussive instrument but also very much in the manner as a pianist would melodic. And now in his 80's he has progressed even more a true American treasure.

[@adamgustafson5475]

It's shocking so few people actually know of him. I haven't ever heard anyone quite like him on guitar.

[@davidlockeretz]

Ralph Towner - vastly under appreciated jazz/world music figure.

[@MarkSeibold]

I was searching for many versions of the piece Nardis, as one of my favorite numbers that's performed often by Bill Evans at the end of his live performances. I was pleasantly surprised to look the number up in Wikipedia and saw that it mentioned all the other musicians that have played it, other than the Miles Davis composition of it in 1958, which was originally written by Davis for Cannonball Adderley. I see many of the people leaving favorable comments about Ralph Towner, and I appreciate this greatly. My younger brother bought a lot of albums by the famous group Oregon, created by Ralph Towner in the early 1970s. Your music was always a masterfully performed and especially with Towner's lead in the group. I was in my early twenties when I first discovered my brother buying the group Oregon records. Oregon matured my understanding of world and jazz music greatly. My remembrance of one great experience about Ralph Towner, was when my wife and I were driving through our hometown of downtown Portland one day, I believe it was in the early 1990s. It was a live stage performance of music in the central city Pioneer Courthouse Square, on a beautiful sunny day. We decided to stop, and walk over and watch it. This was the only time I've ever seen Ralph Towner perform live with his group Oregon. Glenn Moor was on stand up woodwind base, and either Colin Walcott or Paul McCandless on percussion and flute or tenor saxophone. As they were taking a break and I saw, Ralph Towner standing behind the stage relaxing, I decided to walk back and speak with him briefly. I had to introduce myself express my great appreciation for his music that my brother played a lot of on our stereo at home for years. I also expressed that his performance with his group Oregon backing up the famous album by Larry Coryell - The Restful Mind, was spectacular work by Towner and the rest of the group Oregon. I asked Ralph what he thought of playing with Larry Coryell. He said Larry came over in the studio that day it was in either New Jersey or New York and Larry was rather hyped up on some stimulant, and he said, Coryell said, now you're going to be in the right track and I'm in the left track and just don't try to outplay me, this is my album, man! I then asked Ralph what he would recommend if I had never bought an album by the group Oregon, or if he had a favorite album of theirs. He recommended that I buy their album titled, Blue Sun. I thanked him and went back to listen to the rest of the live concert which was excellent. I was so glad to get to meet Ralph Towner, and here his story of playing with Larry Coryell, which is also another one of my favorite jazz guitarists.

[@larryh.3173]

'Blue Sun' (ECM Records) is definitely amongst my favorite Ralph Towner albums (not an Oregon release, btw). Somewhat different for him in that he additionally orchestrates the songs with tasteful warm-toned keyboards, even some brass instruments at points. (IIRC, he's responsible for all the instruments heard.) Simply a great, great album well worth checking out.

[@osiruskat]

This is a clinic on comping and counterpoint guitar playing. Masterful.

[@mitsuchten]

I've just discovered one of today's great musicians! I feel there's the same swing essence in his playing as in Bill Evans' combined with all the charming elements of the acoustic guitar sound... Great!

[@robstimson4234]

Towner's a damn magician. Never seen an acoustic player who l felt was better.

[@augustomarchand]

Ralph is a badass. Brilliant musician, composer and owner of a very tasteful arrangements.

[@canadianRadio]

This man is attached to his guitar. Very strong musicianship.

[@cerimccoy]

One of the nicest tunes to play. Towner rules on this: the head is amazing. All the elements of jazz are here.

[@luvpants2012]

Al Dimeola sent me here. One of his favorite players and I can see why.

[@BazzTriton]

Al di Meola try to play Halph's pieces ... but do not arrive

[@TheMorpholog]

I know the music of Ralph Towner from the end of the 80'. I don't thing people who really like muisc don't know this great composer, specially people who like jazz and world music. In fact, Mr. Towner create the group Oregon, a very well know jazz group in the 70-80. Also, he record in german label ECM, the same label of Metheny, Terje Rypdal, DeJonette, Jan Garbarek, Manu Katché and many others great musicians. Anyway, great video, thank you for sharing with us.

[@paolo60333]

Incredible performance! Wish I could to listen to this piece on my fantastic stereo...

[@uneedtherapy42]

jazz is such an advanced language...wow

[@pickinstone]

that ending, with the harmonizing of the string noise as it's hammered on with the plucked note is genius. I never thought of doing that. Ridiculous stuff here.

[@MaggioDiJoe]

magic!, very unusual intro with special voicing...!!!

[@ferramonte]

Just enjoy each musician for who they are....

[@williheckaslike]

Amazing Guitar Playing !

[@zu0832]

Ralph started out (before learning guitar)as a pianist wanting to emulate Bill Evans...

[@grebbx]

Outstanding...as close to the Bill Evans "The Paris Concert" version as you'll get...and transcribing to guitar is a feat in itself.

[@AndrewGorny]

man that bit from 2:19 to 2:23 was just awesome

[@cdax1965]

simply wonderful!!

[@gilouseb]

Great, really great...

[@sptzsch]

I can't understand this too. But we can be happy that we know his music.

[@anfjell]

I love it!!

[@atombomb31458]

terrific!!...love it

[@simonborn]

he is not good because of his technique, but his technique is so good it allows him to play soo beautifully.

[@orquestacontrafrente]

Grande " El Panza " Towner Musicazo¡¡¡

[@zu0832]

To set the record straight, with all due respect, , this is not a transcription of Bill Evans' version...it's Ralph's arrangement and improv...

[@sptzsch]

You are right! Thanks for this comment. But we can be happy to lsiten Towner's music!

[@johnnyboydmusik]

he is awesome..........JB

[@davidvelleman170]

Like how you added Miles/Evans thing, in miles autobiography he claims to have also written Donna Lee. Just was told to check this guy,I told him about Kriesberg, Rosenwinkel, and blue note vintage 1 allan holdsworth youtube. This guy is amazing, thanks 4 the recommendation!!!!!!

[@AndrewGorny]

holy shit great solo

[@Modes9]

This is a wonderful alternative to the dawn of time stylings of George VanEpps and Joe Pass.

[@DavideSchachterJazz]

and Lenny Breau

[@perromanchado]

brilliant

[@politicus56]

why does this always descend into "best" and "better" can't each thing just be respected for what it is. If you you don't like something move on. Otherwise enjoy.

[@AndyBartoshGuitarExperience]

"One of the best" is absolutely ok. Something different than "the best".

[@zinnington]

@Modes9 What do you mean Dawn of Time stylings of George Van Epps and Joe Pass? They were masters of harmony and technique. What the hell are you talking about? Nardis is a fairly easy tune, very open. Ever hear Pass play Round Midnight or Donna Lee. Give me a break.

[@SIRONEDRAGON]

smokin'

[@o.sabiolouco]

Puta que pariu, q dominio do instrumento! Muito louco!

[@BernieHollandMusic]

@Pur11zz is right there - but is it not true that the beautiful lotus flower blooms in the midst of a muddy swamp ?

[@uninoculated]

Towner has actually surpassed Joe Pass and I don't think anybody believed/believes that was/is possible.

[@KIWI-un8fs]

well not sure, they start playing more or less the same music but Towner followed another path when he started to learn classic guitar in viena in his last year career. They are in a level where u cant say who is more "virtuoso" or skilled playing guitar, the only thing u can talk is about "who you like the most". In this case i prefer towner, because there isnt too much people around there playing standards in classic guitars witch classic technique

[@promerops]

Apples and pears.

[@carlwilson5339]

Passing Pass would take a much deeper sample of various guitar styles and bass lines both solid and punchy

[@IvanZupancic]

slovenia 1 ... best show ever?

[@braddmartins]

Do you know Yamandu Costa?

[@skibum1981]

Sorry I don't have any other copies. Wish I did though...

[@balloonsballoon]

Anyone know if this is in standard tuning?

[@FeetsAndButts]

Say that again.......

[@brettprice527]

Folks always think Ralph is rushing. I think he just likes to play fast. I do agree that it might be interesting if he used some more time/space in spots. Love this guy though.

[@elholt7095]

Exactly what I thought but more because I can't play that fast LOL. His rendition is awesome though. Cheers!

[@skibum1981]

Most of Towner's stuff is of the Bill Evans variety when it comes to playing famous jazz pieces. Evans himself IMO was just outright terrific in terms of arrangement. That said, Towner has gone beyond Evans in terms of the range of stuff he plays. If you liked this one, you should hear his version on "Solo Live," which is a bit better IMO. It's a great album to own in general.

[@carlwilson5339]

Anyone hear any deep Narcisso Yepes playing ?

[@zu0832]

That would be a mere coincidence

[@skibum1981]

It's tragic.

[@levmatta]

@Pur11zz And so is Eric Clapton. The type of music that he did, when he did it. BB King says he would be nothing without the british respecting the blues. And the blues is more important than Jazz itself. Eric has a defects also, but he is not MTV Unpluged. He is a blues man.

[@randypotter7442]

To say that blues is a more important genre than jazz is an extremely misguided statement. It's apples + oranges. Both are wonderful.

[@stephenrobshaw4931]

What ??

[@Modes9]

@zinnington , I would rather hear Toninho Horta, Lenny Breau, Mick Goodrick, or Allan Holdsworth. Van Epps and Joe Pass laid important groundwork, but there are other ways of doing things...

[@mside243]

@Pur11zz... you mean Eric Clapton isn't the best guitarist ever to live? :-P

[@aeropilot4419]

Seems a tad rushed, no?

[@Bobbyblades]

it's a Russian piece

[@afonsosousa2684]

@@Bobbyblades It was written by Miles Davis, an American.

[@noahvale939]

Cold, rushed, too virtuosity dependent and repetitive. Yeah, you can play fast, but what's your story? Applause is lackluster - they agree.

[@randypotter7442]

I think that you are being too harsh on Mr. Towner.

[@rafimfp8175]

Good joke

[@KIWI-un8fs]

men this is a standard from miles davis what do you expected? a funeral march? if you want to check how a sensitive and modern (genuine and original) ralph towner can be without recurring to speed or excesive "virtuosity", look at this other concert; kzbin.info/www/bejne/p16Xd4V8or19Zrs i told you as classic guitarrist only a few living compositors are making the same music of this men

[@KIWI-un8fs]

fuck i've to say it, you are a fucking ignorant noahvale, seriously a fucking disrespectful moron.