Scooter Chronicles

Stanley Clark, Al DiMeola, Jean-Luc Ponty - “Rite of Strings”

Tracks:

1. Indigo
2. Renassaince
3. Song to John (Dedicated to John Coltrane)
4. Chilean Pipe Song
5. Topango
6. Morocco
7. Change of Life
8. La Cancion de Sofia
9. Memory Canyon

I can’t remember exactly how I stumbled upon this disc. If it was in a store or through the BMG Jazz Club, or some other way. Whenever or however, I knew all three musicians, and had other albums they produced, whether solo or with bands.

(From left): Stanley Clarke (bass), Al DiMeola (guitar), and Jean-Luc Ponty (violin).

The whole album is acoustic, with the exception of some instrument or sound that I cannot identify (or find info of on the internet). It creeps up in a few songs, and sounds almost like some kind of pipe organ, but not a pipe organ (if that makes sense). But I believe it is synthesized since the sound only ever doubles DiMeola’s runs.

May be a strange thing to say about this album, but the first song on this album makes the rest of the songs suck. In reality all the songs are great. But “Indigo” is just so much better. It is an incredible song of emotion, with great musicianship displayed in fantastic solos and wonderful melodies. For an acoustic instrumental jazz-infused song, it kicks major butt!

The rest of the album is filled with more great melodies and fantastic musicianship. Each member wrote three of the songs so there is plenty of balance between each.

One of the keys to this album for my ears is Clarke’s bass. Even though this is an acoustic album, I don’t believe he is using a traditional stand-up bass. It is an acoustic bass guitar. (Or so it sounds like.) At times I think I can hear the frets, and some of his runs are too fast to be a stand-up. (I know Clarke is good, but he’s not that good.) Regardless, the bass lines he plays and the sound are just beautiful, beautiful. I think a must have for jazz bass fans.

Another plus is Ponty’s violin sound. It doesn’t have a tight classical music sound to it, and yet doesn’t sound like the twang of blue grass or country. It is perfectly between the two. His playing is very sweet throughout the album.

DiMeola is fast as usual, but also tame when he needs to be. There is no “I’m a guitar god” craziness here. He flashes his skill when appropriate, which is always nice when a very skilled musician knows when NOT to play.

A gorgeous collection of songs. Whether you are a jazz fan or just love great music. This may even appeal to world music fans.

Final note: the song “Renassaince” may be spelled incorrectly, but it matches the liner notes of the album. Not sure if it is the spelling in another language or just a mistake that made it to print.