douglasnegley | Pittsburgh, Pa. United States | 09/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although not found on the "search" feature, this does again appear on Ponder's CD List. Recently reviewed By Jazz Times, the one and only problem they had was with Jimmy's brave shot at a solo vocal on "Our Day Will Come". A favorite of his since the days he grew up singing 'doo-wop', which was prevalent on the street then, Ponder treats it with the minimum of 'curly-cue' (as Beverly Sills once refered to the vocal gyrations which pass for soul singing in pop R&B) and it works well - the problem is that Jimmy is not all that comfortable in the studio, period, and to attempt that kind of vocal feat took guts. His 'Live' performance singing, when done, is way better, and he can sing his leads as well as Benson, when he decides to. As I said previously, "He bares it all on this one." I wasn't joking!"
Genius at work
Anders Jonasson | Bankeryd Sweden | 02/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I agree with Doug that this CD is what we have been waiting for.
It is "nam nam" for a jazzguitarfreak but also for the average jazz listener. The songs are executed with a feeling for melody and beauty that goes beyond almost any music I heard before.
Ponders version of "Lullaby of Birdland" is worth the price of the CD.Ponder makes his version of The Burt Bacharach tune"The windows of the world" which Mc Coy Tyner also have done..would have been interesting to pair Ponder with Tyner they both have the same way of being dynamic improviser quite identical rhytm conception etc.
This CD will be one of those that Ponder always will be remembered for."
One of the greatest guitar players of all time
Anthony C. Navarro | US | 09/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"finally puts a solo album out and its as good as anything he has ever done with anyone --- simply put he is a master player"
CHICAGO---HEADS-UP.....
douglasnegley | Pittsburgh, Pa. United States | 11/27/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jimmy Ponder is opening for Mose Allison in February, 2004, in Chicago, in February, at a University event...and I urge all Windy Citizins to look for it...you will be witnessing the end of an ERA...or the start of one..."
PURE PONDER - This is the one we've all been waiting for...
douglasnegley | Pittsburgh, Pa. United States | 02/15/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Wes in the 21st Century"..."Like Joe Pass on LSD"...These are some of the superlative statements that are being thrown around to try to describe this new CD by Jimmy Ponder called "Alone". Without any doubt, James Willis Ponder has finally hit the high fastball - and driven it deep. This CD is everything one could want in the way of solo jazz guitar genius; and yet, Ponder is never alone in this undertaking. He is flanked by his own inimitable sense of time and rhythm from within, and by the listener's imagination and response from without. Ponder's interpretations of carefully chosen standards, ballads, blues, and even a pop tune are all a tribute to his own roots, his own influences, and his own genius. Ponder bares it all on this one, and how sweet it is!"