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

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1563









Released: 1978
Length: 3:54
Plays (last 30 days): 2
share tweet wikiwebsitesearchamg
cd
mp3
search
(Instrumental)
Comments (157)add comment
Thanks RP for this old DIAMANT.
Posted 1 month ago by Nopnop62    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 1 year ago by pktinkler2984    [ Reply ]
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
...
Posted 1 year ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
at first I thought it was Tangerine Dream. I have an earlier JLP.  Great ethereal tune.
Posted 1 year ago by Bdw    [ Reply ]
Fan de JLP
Posted 1 year ago by sergioso    [ Reply ]
brings to mind On the border by Al Stewart...probably just me though
Posted 1 year ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 sfyi2001 wrote:
No.
         

Yes !!
           
Posted 2 years ago by obispo    [ Reply ]
Once Fusion music made me push away anyting else. Still fan. Hasta tengo ese vinyl
Posted 2 years ago by sergioso    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard him for a long time. Sad for me... happy I got RP!
Posted 2 years ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
This reminds me of some of the music from Chrono Trigger.
Posted 2 years ago by mivade    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 3 years ago by djtarnowski3283    [ Reply ]
Me gusta! Analog sounds reminding of loops before they got to be.
Posted 3 years ago by (former member)    [ Reply ]
So Supergrass took inspiration from this for Tales of Endurance ...
Posted 3 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
der RP listen to swedish Bjørn J:son Lindh   Bike  Voyage
Posted 3 years ago by Peterreesen    [ Reply ]
Looks like the Cosmic Messenger is about to slide into second.
Posted 3 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
that's some trippy stuff there
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 3 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
I love RP. Simply the BEST!!!
Posted 3 years ago by thomas.schacht    [ Reply ]
I like it but am a little too aware of the repetition.  
Posted 3 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Love this album  .   .   . Still sounds great after so many years. Timing, timeful, timeless
Posted 4 years ago by AZJeff    [ Reply ]
 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. 
Posted 4 years ago by ce    [ Reply ]
Ground breaking record. Still pretty amazing.
Posted 4 years ago by Piranga    [ Reply ]
Great intro!

What?
Posted 4 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 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...
Posted 4 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
I own this on vinyl, one of my favorite album from him
Posted 4 years ago by krisz77    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 4 years ago by folkes.tom    [ Reply ]
 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!
Posted 4 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
Does anyone else hear Alan Parsons Project? 
Posted 4 years ago by robin_at_domani    [ Reply ]
Copied by Supergrass many years later ...
Posted 4 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
This song thread could be entitled:  America spaces out.
Posted 5 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Reminds me to get out my old Ponty CD's and finally get him on a playlist. Good stuff.
Posted 5 years ago by brockstr    [ Reply ]
Wow, haven't heard this little bit of Fusion Nostalgia since my 70s High School Stoner days. Def not Ponty's best work.
Posted 5 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 5 years ago by tmscahill    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 5 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
I admit that I listened to a lot of Jean-Luc Ponty in high school and I'm not ashamed of it. 
Posted 5 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Sweet, I think I uploaded this song to the reviewer listener channel way back when :)
Posted 5 years ago by mnordman    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 5 years ago by jchrise    [ Reply ]
No.

{#Crown}
Posted 5 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
His 70's work is amazing. You'd never know he played for Frank Zappa by listening to his piece.
Posted 5 years ago by ddehoyos    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 6 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
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...
Posted 6 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
"Civilized Evil" is his best in my opinion!
Posted 6 years ago by jimbaca    [ Reply ]
 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...
Posted 6 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
 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!
Posted 6 years ago by bripics    [ Reply ]
 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...
Posted 6 years ago by CyrusPaul    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 6 years ago by robbiethet    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 6 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
Ah yes, JL Ponty. Most of this Fusion stuff is long forgotten but his work with Frank Zappa stands the test of time. 
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
This was my go to album for slideshows back in the 80's 
Posted 7 years ago by Gubs    [ Reply ]
I'm just guessing, but I could definitely hear a Porcupine Tree or Steven Wilson song after this.
Posted 7 years ago by Solanus    [ Reply ]
Do share? 

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

None more pleasant. 

 


Posted 7 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
Bill, There are many other really good Jean-Luc Ponty albums! Check out Imaginary Voyage for one.
Posted 7 years ago by ddog    [ Reply ]
How pleasant are the memories that this song brings back to me?

None more pleasant. 
Posted 7 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
Never gets old.
Posted 7 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
Another little gem I had never heard before. Thanks RP ! {#Smile}
Posted 7 years ago by MM_Oz    [ Reply ]
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
 
Posted 7 years ago by saellig668552    [ Reply ]
 Jota wrote:
1978?  Decades ahead of it's time.  This would not be out of place alongside today's efforts.

 
{#Yes}
Posted 7 years ago by hindsightseer    [ Reply ]
1978?  Decades ahead of it's time.  This would not be out of place alongside today's efforts.
Posted 7 years ago by Jota    [ Reply ]
this album always accompanied my slide shows in the early 80's. Good stuff.
Posted 7 years ago by Gubs    [ Reply ]
I used to have this album somehow lost it{#Redface}. This song is really good!
Posted 8 years ago by PaoloManana    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 8 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Preferred the harder edged stuff he did with Zappa. After awhile his Fusion material grew into FuZak
Posted 8 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
so nice to hear his music again. Stephane Grapelli lives....
Posted 8 years ago by Andybob    [ Reply ]
Not bad! I like this music from time to time. Very good song.
Posted 8 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
{#Boohoo} Wow.
Haven't heard in too long of time.  Excellent selection.  Going with a 7 for now. 
Posted 8 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
Play more form this album! It's quite good! 
Posted 8 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
He played at the "pub" on campus in 1977ish.  No more than 50 people, and he was great.  Wish we had more on RP.
Posted 10 years ago by ronniegirl    [ Reply ]
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! 
Posted 10 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this in a long time.  Really enjoying it.  {#Boohoo}
Posted 10 years ago by asusinskas    [ Reply ]
Did Bill just talk over the beginning of this song? I'm not sure I've ever heard that before on RP.
Posted 10 years ago by franl    [ Reply ]
Lordy - some wonderful "romantic" times with my soon-to-be wife with this album on the turntable back in our college days.
Posted 10 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
simply boring
Posted 10 years ago by drugmusic    [ Reply ]
So nice to hear this.
Posted 10 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
It has been so long since I have heard anything by him - Thank you RP
Posted 10 years ago by xnavy    [ Reply ]
I like JLP but he is too often content to simply let his tracks fade out. It's ok to resolve a piece occasionally.
Posted 11 years ago by ottojschlosser    [ Reply ]
This was a great album.  I'm so happy to hear a little bit of Jean Luc Ponty on RP.  Thanks, Bill!
Posted 11 years ago by hschlossberg    [ Reply ]
 LuvWilloughby wrote:

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

 

Or "Civilized Evil?"
Posted 11 years ago by jimbaca    [ Reply ]
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. ;-)
Posted 11 years ago by hschlossberg    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 11 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
 Alafia wrote:
One of my faves from University.  Good memories.
 
I as well - been wondering as of late what ever happened to JLP
Posted 12 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
I can name that Ponty in one note! So unique an artist. Love it. Made my day.
Posted 12 years ago by ddehoyos    [ Reply ]
 Ditto!
Propayne wrote:
Oh my - gets a 10 from me.

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


Posted 12 years ago by madhoop    [ Reply ]
Oh my - gets a 10 from me.

This song (and album) are connected to some wonderful memories for me. 
Posted 12 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 12 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
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.  
Posted 12 years ago by lkovathana    [ Reply ]
 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"?
Posted 12 years ago by LuvWilloughby    [ Reply ]
Awesome tune! Brings back memories. Another of 1,000 reasons why I love RP!
Posted 12 years ago by krysthal    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 12 years ago by dew34    [ Reply ]
Cool song. Really eclectic!
Posted 13 years ago by SueBea    [ Reply ]
Love this tune!
Posted 13 years ago by shutter    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 13 years ago by ddog    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 13 years ago by molson    [ Reply ]
I saw Jean-Luc in concert many years ago.  Fantastic!  We need to hear more of him on RP.
Posted 13 years ago by jimbaca    [ Reply ]

Jean-Luc Ponty by ~rockograaf
mats õun

Tallinn festival Jazzkaar 2009

.

Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Nice sliding tackle from the Cosmic Messenger there on the cover!
Posted 15 years ago by sub-arctic    [ Reply ]
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!

Posted 15 years ago by hobbitt    [ Reply ]
JLP - amazing... perfect timing for my day!
Posted 15 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
I've recently started listening to Jean-Luc again after a long haitus, it is truly amazing music!!  9  {#Arrow}  10
Posted 15 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
Constitution Hall.  Life changing.


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

 


Posted 15 years ago by Roach    [ Reply ]
One of my faves from University.  Good memories.
Posted 15 years ago by Alafia    [ Reply ]
Another WOW..  Thanks, Bill.
Posted 15 years ago by velvetglove    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill, you're making my work day hum along.
Posted 16 years ago by posworld    [ Reply ]
Heading to beddy-bye, no better way to sign off.  What a gem.  Thanks, Bill.
Posted 16 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
I have to say, this morning set is nothing short of spectacular.
Posted 16 years ago by snowcat    [ Reply ]
 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?

Posted 16 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]

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


Posted 16 years ago by flyboy50    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 16 years ago by snowcat    [ Reply ]
My dad turned me onto this.  My childhood musical taste was never the same after that.

{#Meditate}
Posted 16 years ago by snowcat    [ Reply ]
JLP was ahead of his time and his music is as timeless as ever. good stuff. Way to dig deep Bill!
Posted 16 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
I think this came out in the late 70's. I remember the cover, sitting in my dorm room in 8th grade. Great Stuff!
Posted 16 years ago by geoffgeoffrey    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by andrewimft    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 16 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
EddieB, are you listening? One of my all time favorite Ponty songs!
MIne too!
Posted 16 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
was this used as background music on an old shareware video game called "glypha?"
Posted 16 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
Tangerine Dreamy
Posted 16 years ago by spudboy    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by dantheman    [ Reply ]
EddieB, are you listening? One of my all time favorite Ponty songs!
Posted 16 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]