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Jean-Luc Ponty — Ethereal Mood
Album: Cosmic Messenger
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1536









Released: 1978
Length: 3:56
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(Instrumental)
Comments (156)add comment
 ddehoyos wrote:

His 70's work is amazing. You'd never know he played for Frank Zappa by listening to his piece.



I think you might if you saw him soloing with Zappa live on Dupree's Paradise circa 1973 and then listened to Upon The Wings Of Music.
For those who want to sing along:
[Chorus]
The fishing boats go out across the evening water
Smuggling guns and arms across the Spanish border
The wind whips up the waves so loud
The ghost moon sails among the clouds
Turns the rifles into silver on the border
...
at first I thought it was Tangerine Dream. I have an earlier JLP.  Great ethereal tune.
Fan de JLP
brings to mind On the border by Al Stewart...probably just me though
 sfyi2001 wrote:
No.
         

Yes !!
           
Once Fusion music made me push away anyting else. Still fan. Hasta tengo ese vinyl
Haven't heard him for a long time. Sad for me... happy I got RP!
This reminds me of some of the music from Chrono Trigger.
 tmscahill wrote:

This used to be on vinyl on the stereo at my parents house. Close your eyes sit in front of the speakers and turn it up. Thanks Bill. 



That's what my daughters will say. And they don't want to skip JLP when he pops up on the family playlist.
Me gusta! Analog sounds reminding of loops before they got to be.
So Supergrass took inspiration from this for Tales of Endurance ...
der RP listen to swedish Bjørn J:son Lindh   Bike  Voyage
Looks like the Cosmic Messenger is about to slide into second.
that's some trippy stuff there
To hear my favorite Jean Luc Ponty song , Rennaissance on RP would be amazing.  Perhaps its in the playlist and I just don't know it.
I love RP. Simply the BEST!!!
I like it but am a little too aware of the repetition.  
Love this album  .   .   . Still sounds great after so many years. Timing, timeful, timeless
 robin_at_domani wrote:
Does anyone else hear Alan Parsons Project? 
 
I was reminded of Jean-Michel Jarre, but yes, it's also similar to some of APP's work, or vice versa. 
Ground breaking record. Still pretty amazing.
Great intro!

What?
 idiot_wind wrote:
Update on below message: in July 2019, I rendezvoused  with woman described in below comment (30+ years).

It was a weekend of  epsom salt  bath floats,  gong-induced meditation,  12 hours of talking, and looking at fish in an aquarium. 

Go figure.    


Posted 9 months ago by idiot_wind:

Takes me back to those college days. Living in a rental house in dead of winter break. Not much heat at night. Sharing a bed with a girlfriend, under piles of covers, trying to stay warm.

Use your imagination, but it did include listening to this album and staring out iced over windows, into the darkness.
In my imagination, the fish froze...
I own this on vinyl, one of my favorite album from him
 ddehoyos wrote:
His 70's work is amazing. You'd never know he played for Frank Zappa by listening to his piece.
 
Lowell George either.
 rpdevotee wrote:

The fishing boats go out across the evening water,
Smuggling guns and arms across the Spanish border.
The wind whips up the waves so loud,
The ghost moon sails among the clouds,
And turns the rifles into silver,
On the border...
 

Thanks!
Does anyone else hear Alan Parsons Project? 
Copied by Supergrass many years later ...
This song thread could be entitled:  America spaces out.
Reminds me to get out my old Ponty CD's and finally get him on a playlist. Good stuff.
Wow, haven't heard this little bit of Fusion Nostalgia since my 70s High School Stoner days. Def not Ponty's best work.
This used to be on vinyl on the stereo at my parents house. Close your eyes sit in front of the speakers and turn it up. Thanks Bill. 
Update on below message: in July 2019, I rendezvoused  with woman described in below comment (30+ years).

It was a weekend of  epsom salt  bath floats,  gong-induced meditation,  12 hours of talking, and looking at fish in an aquarium. 

Go figure.    


Posted 9 months ago by idiot_wind:

Takes me back to those college days. Living in a rental house in dead of winter break. Not much heat at night. Sharing a bed with a girlfriend, under piles of covers, trying to stay warm.

Use your imagination, but it did include listening to this album and staring out iced over windows, into the darkness.
I admit that I listened to a lot of Jean-Luc Ponty in high school and I'm not ashamed of it. 
Sweet, I think I uploaded this song to the reviewer listener channel way back when :)
 bluematrix wrote:
This was my go to chill music back in the day. Great memories of misty days in my car, parked overlooking a lake, a good buzz on, letting this music take me to a different place...
 

Wow! Similar experience! I had just moved to Southern California in 1983 and remember playing this while in my car at the beach. Makes my hair stand up and head tingle.
No.

{#Crown}
His 70's work is amazing. You'd never know he played for Frank Zappa by listening to his piece.
Takes me back to those college days. Living in a rental house in dead of winter break. Not much heat at night. Sharing a bed with a girlfriend, under piles of covers, trying to stay warm.

Use your imagination, but it did include listening to this album and staring out iced over windows, into the darkness.
This was my go to chill music back in the day. Great memories of misty days in my car, parked overlooking a lake, a good buzz on, letting this music take me to a different place...
"Civilized Evil" is his best in my opinion!
 rpdevotee wrote:
I keep waiting for this to transition into Al Stewart's "On The Border"...
It took me most of the song before I realized it wasn't actually Al Stewart

 
The fishing boats go out across the evening water,
Smuggling guns and arms across the Spanish border.
The wind whips up the waves so loud,
The ghost moon sails among the clouds,
And turns the rifles into silver,
On the border...
 ddog wrote:
Bill, There are many other really good Jean-Luc Ponty albums! Check out Imaginary Voyage for one.

 
Yes! There is also a live album which s really amazing! Check it out!
 robbiethet wrote:

Yeah—& Enigmatic Ocean with Allan Holdsworth.  And Daryl Stuermer, who's no slouch either, on guitar.  Great musicians & wonderful arrangements.  I really like Aurora too.

 
l totally agree that Enigmatic was the pinnacle of his band....saw that tour in Wichita, Kansas of all places.  Holdsworth was amazing...
 ddog wrote:
Bill, There are many other really good Jean-Luc Ponty albums! Check out Imaginary Voyage for one.

 
Yeah—& Enigmatic Ocean with Allan Holdsworth.  And Daryl Stuermer, who's no slouch either, on guitar.  Great musicians & wonderful arrangements.  I really like Aurora too.
I keep waiting for this to transition into Al Stewart's "On The Border"...
It took me most of the song before I realized it wasn't actually Al Stewart
Ah yes, JL Ponty. Most of this Fusion stuff is long forgotten but his work with Frank Zappa stands the test of time. 
This was my go to album for slideshows back in the 80's 
I'm just guessing, but I could definitely hear a Porcupine Tree or Steven Wilson song after this.
Do share? 

Propayne wrote:
How pleasant are the memories that this song brings back to me?

None more pleasant. 

 


Bill, There are many other really good Jean-Luc Ponty albums! Check out Imaginary Voyage for one.
How pleasant are the memories that this song brings back to me?

None more pleasant. 
Never gets old.
Another little gem I had never heard before. Thanks RP ! {#Smile}
great challenge for a dj. How can PF shine on.. . Be followed?

bills brilliant solution with another unique and underrrated masterpiece which helps us to glide in grace out of this almost meditative music back to reality

well donr
 
 Jota wrote:
1978?  Decades ahead of it's time.  This would not be out of place alongside today's efforts.

 
{#Yes}
1978?  Decades ahead of it's time.  This would not be out of place alongside today's efforts.
this album always accompanied my slide shows in the early 80's. Good stuff.
I used to have this album somehow lost it{#Redface}. This song is really good!
Please play more from this album. It's quite trippy and you can drive, and drive, and drive while you listen.

Start at point A and end up at point B....not knowing how you you got there. 
Preferred the harder edged stuff he did with Zappa. After awhile his Fusion material grew into FuZak
so nice to hear his music again. Stephane Grapelli lives....
Not bad! I like this music from time to time. Very good song.
{#Boohoo} Wow.
Haven't heard in too long of time.  Excellent selection.  Going with a 7 for now. 
Play more form this album! It's quite good! 
He played at the "pub" on campus in 1977ish.  No more than 50 people, and he was great.  Wish we had more on RP.
It's been ages... I was really into JLP back in '86.

I saw him as part of the Rite of Strings (Stanley Clarke, Bela Fleck, Al DiMeola) in recent years in Reno and couldn't get over how diminutive he is! 
Haven't heard this in a long time.  Really enjoying it.  {#Boohoo}
Did Bill just talk over the beginning of this song? I'm not sure I've ever heard that before on RP.
Lordy - some wonderful "romantic" times with my soon-to-be wife with this album on the turntable back in our college days.
simply boring
So nice to hear this.
It has been so long since I have heard anything by him - Thank you RP
I like JLP but he is too often content to simply let his tracks fade out. It's ok to resolve a piece occasionally.
This was a great album.  I'm so happy to hear a little bit of Jean Luc Ponty on RP.  Thanks, Bill!
 LuvWilloughby wrote:

Couldn't agree more. How bout something from "A Taste for Passion"?

 

Or "Civilized Evil?"
I was a BIG fan of this album back in college (mid-80's) and it is GREAT to hear it again now.  I think I may still have this packed away on vinyl. ;-)
 Johnny-smooth wrote:

I as well - been wondering as of late what ever happened to JLP
 
Jean-Luc is now a member of Return To Forever, I believe.
 Alafia wrote:
One of my faves from University.  Good memories.
 
I as well - been wondering as of late what ever happened to JLP
I can name that Ponty in one note! So unique an artist. Love it. Made my day.
 Ditto!
Propayne wrote:
Oh my - gets a 10 from me.

This song (and album) are connected to some wonderful memories for me. 
 


Oh my - gets a 10 from me.

This song (and album) are connected to some wonderful memories for me. 
 sonofpick wrote:
Part of thrird coming of jazz.
1.ragtyme
2.bop
3.fusion
4.? Still waiting.
 
Is that list from the Reader's Digest Extremely Condensed History of Jazz?  Nice tune.
Back in 2008, I commented about this track sending me off to beddy-bye. This morning, it's a beautiful wake-up call. How about that? Cool.
This is an old album.  I recognize the cover.  Thanks so much for playing Jean-Luc Ponty — one of my early violin heros.  Knowledge of his existence (and apparent liberation) made the strict etudes and hours of practice tolerable.  
 jimbaca wrote:
I saw Jean-Luc in concert many years ago.  Fantastic!  We need to hear more of him on RP.
 
Couldn't agree more. How bout something from "A Taste for Passion"?
Awesome tune! Brings back memories. Another of 1,000 reasons why I love RP!
I would play this cassette in the early mornings(3 AM) while I headed to the lake for fishing. What a mood it created. I still get that thrill now even when the sun is high in the sky!
Cool song. Really eclectic!
Love this tune!
Love JLP, I saw him live during his Tchokola tour, great live performance! Bill, please play more from JLP, he has so much really good music.
First listen for this, and I already LOVE it!  He used to perform with Elton John (Honky Chateau? Can't remember exactly...) but he's far better on his own.  I need this CD.
One of the greatest progressive jazz albums ever, I still listen to this and Enigmatic Oceans all the time. Sweet choice Bill, I have never heard JLP on RP. It would be cool to throw is daughters music into the mix sometime, check out Clara Ponty, an absolutely amazing pianest, her dad plays a bit on her stuff. Cheers Bill!
I saw Jean-Luc in concert many years ago.  Fantastic!  We need to hear more of him on RP.

Jean-Luc Ponty by ~rockograaf
mats õun

Tallinn festival Jazzkaar 2009

.

Nice sliding tackle from the Cosmic Messenger there on the cover!
Nice groove.  Reminds me of Ponty's early (70s) work.  Not the buzz saw stuff he got into latter.

Edit: Well, duh!  {#Doh} It is his early stuff!

JLP - amazing... perfect timing for my day!
I've recently started listening to Jean-Luc again after a long haitus, it is truly amazing music!!  9  {#Arrow}  10
Constitution Hall.  Life changing.


I think I saw that show!  Was that in Sacramento?

 


One of my faves from University.  Good memories.
Another WOW..  Thanks, Bill.
Thanks Bill, you're making my work day hum along.
Heading to beddy-bye, no better way to sign off.  What a gem.  Thanks, Bill.
I have to say, this morning set is nothing short of spectacular.
 andrewimft wrote:
Wow, this is great. Never thought I'd hear Jean Luc Ponty here at RP! Awesome.

One of the best concerts I ever ever saw was John McLaughlin Orchestra w/ Jean Luc Ponty. It was like seeing Bach and Vivaldi play together along with other beyond top notch musicians playing the most intricate, difficult, beautiful, ecstatic and harmonic music imaginable.

 
I think I saw that show!  Was that in Sacramento?

Microdot, mushrooms and Jean Luc. I'm in smiley heaven.


 horstman wrote:


I saw Jean-Luc Ponty in 1979/80 with Supertramp's "Breakfast in America" tour as the warm up act in Ottawa, Canada. 


Wow!!! I'll bet that was a hell of a show.
My dad turned me onto this.  My childhood musical taste was never the same after that.

{#Meditate}
JLP was ahead of his time and his music is as timeless as ever. good stuff. Way to dig deep Bill!
I think this came out in the late 70's. I remember the cover, sitting in my dorm room in 8th grade. Great Stuff!
Wow, this is great. Never thought I'd hear Jean Luc Ponty here at RP! Awesome. One of the best concerts I ever ever saw was John McLaughlin Orchestra w/ Jean Luc Ponty. It was like seeing Bach and Vivaldi play together along with other beyond top notch musicians playing the most intricate, difficult, beautiful, ecstatic and harmonic music imaginable.
spudboy wrote:
Tangerine Dreamy
============================== Sorry....? Though I am German, Jean-Luc is liiiiightyears above (=better)than this German electro-machinists without melodies and beat! For the first time I would like to thank "RP" (it's their job to play good music, isn't it...?)to remind me to this great guy and this great-great song! Overwhelming! Thank you, Bill! Stingray
Pyro wrote:
EddieB, are you listening? One of my all time favorite Ponty songs!
MIne too!
was this used as background music on an old shareware video game called "glypha?"
Tangerine Dreamy
One of my favorite albums. It was left at one of my brother's parties back in the 70s. I still have it, and listen to it all the time.
EddieB, are you listening? One of my all time favorite Ponty songs!
Older_Gentleman wrote:
Saw Jean-Luc Ponty last year. Great show. Don't miss it if he comes near you.
I saw Jean-Luc Ponty in 1979/80 with Supertramp's "Breakfast in America" tour as the warm up act in Ottawa, Canada. He came on stage, and beat his bow on his strings for emphasis - and blew all the speakers/fuses on stage. Took 45 minutes to get it back to normal. And then he jammed. Quite the show. Always love going to Ottawa, it's Canadian, but feels very European.
Part of thrird coming of jazz. 1.ragtyme 2.bop 3.fusion 4.? Still waiting.