ANDERSON-PONTY BAND – Better Late Than Never (2015)

Last year, Yes founding member Jon Anderson and multi-faceted musician Jean-Luc Ponty announced that they were finally bringing to fruition an idea they had a few decades ago of joining together on a project. ANDERSON-PONTY BAND is the result and “Better Late Than Never” the proper title for their CD debut.

Taken from a live concert but enhanced with studio magic and innovative post-production, the album consists mostly of the duo’s well known songs arranged for this group’s strengths. The Yes compositions are given a fusion treatment, and arranging Ponty’s songs with Anderson’s unique vocals and lyrics was done artfully, and elevates the songs.
As you may know, Ponty plays violin, but in a very interesting, vary and original way. Hearing what Ponty could do with the Yes material interested me the most.
We have ‘Lonely Heart’, ‘Roundabout’ and ‘Wonderous Stories’ re-done and arranged in a completely new shape.

Also a rock&pop song like ‘Owner Of A Lonely Heart’ is done, played a bit too similarly to the original, but the violin fills give the melody a completely new approach.
‘Wonderous Stories’ and a truncated ‘And You And I’ benefit greatly from the slow piano played on each. And ‘Roundabout’ played fusion style rocked a little bit less, but at the same time retained it’s power.

The group also play some of Jean Luc Ponty‘s beloved compositions, with Jon‘s lyrical vocals and melodies enhancing the music and creating a very special and unique sound, such as ‘Infinite Mirage’, a new song incorporating Jean Luc‘s classic tune Mirage as base.
The Anderson-Ponty Band is excellent including Jamie Glaser on guitars who has played with Chick Corea, Bryan Adams; Wally Minko on keyboards – virtuoso player and composer who has performed and recorded with many worldwide stars including Pink, Toni Braxton, Gregg Rolie; Baron Browne on bass (Billy Cobham and Jean Luc Ponty band); and Rayford Griffin on drums and percussion, who has played with Stanley Clarke Band, George Duke, and Michael Jackson.

This album’s biggest stumbling block to the casual listener, is also the album’s biggest asset, and that is Violin player Jean Luc Ponty. Once you accept that there is no lead guitar on this album, just Jon’s exquisite singing and Jean virtuoso violin playing, then you are in for an aural treat.
This album will take you back to places thought lost long ago with a whole new set of eyes, ears, and sense of appreciation. I hope this is only a first attempt from these two masters. It is clear they will get even better as they continue.
Prog fans, spread the word about “Better Late Than Never”. I know of no other album that better brings together the golden age of progressive music and the modern era. This album belongs in your library.

01 – Intro
02 – One In The Rhythm Of Hope
03 – A For Aria
04 – Owner Of A Lonely Heart
05 – Listening With Me
06 – Time And A Word
07 – Infinite Mirage
08 – Soul Eternal
09 – Wonderous Stories
10 – And You And I
11 – Renaissance Of The Sun
12 – Roundabout
13 – I See You Messenger
14 – New New World

Jon Anderson – vocals
Jean-Luc Ponty – violin
Jamie Glaser – guitars
Wally Minko – keyboards
Baron Browne – bass
Rayford Griffin – drums, percussion

BUY IT !
www.amazon.de/Better-Late-Than-Never-Blu-Sp/dp/B0145HE8YM
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