Open Mind

Artist: Jean-Luc Ponty
Label: Atlantic / Wea
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 075678018527
EAN: 0075678018527
ASIN: B000002IGY

Release Date: 1990-10-25

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Bebop General

| Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General

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Jazz Fusion

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General

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Listmania:

Jazzamattazz
Music That Will Help Your Mood If Your Feeling.....
Great Out Of Print CD's That I Own
My Favorite Full Lengh CD's
If I must go alone on a lost island, I must own these...PT.4
The Best Jazz Artist: Jean-Luc Ponty

Tracks:

Open Mind
Solitude
Watching Birds
Modern Times Blues
Orbital Encounters
Intuition

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Customer Reviews:

Wonderful And Inspiring!.......2005-07-02

Well this review may serve as a perfect example of how different people's musical tastes can be.The reviews I am reading here describes idea's such as 'repetition','needless noddling' and most important that 'it doesn't send a flow of good vibes to the neurone and soul' in relation to this album.And on that last statement most of all I must highly agree to disagree.From the opening sounds of the title cut that begins this 1984 release the positive vibrations,even from highly electronic synthesizers shine through much like the sun through an open window in the morning,on EACH AND EVERY song here!And it only grows more so as the songs progress too.
Unlike many longformed song-orientated fusion albums Jean-Luc Ponty places one memorable,even catchy musical ideas into every tune on his electric violin.And the overall is the warmest and most captivating use of electronics this side of Les McCann and Stevie Wonder!And on "Watching Birds" and the highly soulful "Modern Time Blues" Ponty brings out the best in Chick Corea and even the already nearly flawless George Benson!
So listen to this-I turned this music on feeling a little down beforehand.And the more each song developed imagry of exotic vally's and dreamlike landscapes came into my thoughts and I even found myself unconsiously HUMMING some of them,so there is even some melody here.And the electronics?I don't find anything about this recording tedious,indulgent or cold at all.In fact for the date of release and the general nature of this music genre I was surprised that 'Open Mind' is such an inspiring album to me and I am stronly considering adding it to my list of all time favorite albums ever!
And that is saying alot because I am a lover of music of this kind and have a huge collection of all sorts of musics.And favorites from MANY genres!So anybody inclined to judge this album based on the reviews that they see hear I suggest you seek it out (at a reasonable price of course) and see just how this album moves you.

Mixed Bag.......2003-04-19

I can agree with a lot of the negative reviews this album receives. The repetition DOES get a little heavy-handed. There IS a bit of needless noodling in places.

However, I recently ordered this CD after not hearing it for quite some time, and I'm really happy to have it back in my collection. There are some dearly loved tracks on here. This work is truly a sonic painting, and I like the picture that emerges from it.

The big hook for me is the title track. It's the one I kept hearing in my head all those years I didn't have it. Its built on repetition, but new layers keep being added and it eventually crystallizes into something magnificent. It remains a favorite.

I also love "Watching Birds", and George Benson's guitar solo later in the album is tasteful and excellent.

The 2nd track has a nice dreamy feel to it but the dream goes a bit too long for my tastes. And some of the late tracks are pretty nondescript.

The good stuff on this CD is good enough to carry the lesser pieces. Strongly recommended.

Not his finest moment.......2002-03-15

While there are a couple decent tracks on the album, most of it has an annoying repetitive quality. The 1980s were a low point in fusion music and "Open Mind" is no exception. Mind you, I'm a huge Ponty fan, but not to the point of blind loyalty. The best thing on the record is George Benson's guitar solo. Unfortunately, it's played over an endless three note bass pattern. With the exception of 'Solitude' and 'Watching Birds,' that's pretty much how all the songs go. Maybe it seemed like a nifty idea back in '83, but I don't think I would have felt any different then. Give me live musicians and interesting structures, please.

JLP Excelent.......2001-10-05

This is an album that can be one of the best in the catalogue of Jean-Luc. Itýs a classic in progressive instrumental jazz-rock. It just donýt stop sending flows of good vibes to the neurone and to the soul. In 1984 it really opened many minds to the art and musicianship of JLP. It is in my personal list of top 20 albums in the genre.

One with an open mind.......2000-11-30

When listening to instrumental music, one should be able to relate the emotions of the song with the title.This release is one that keeps you in tune with the tune."Open Mind" is confirmation that Jean-Luc is a master violinist.

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