Search - Jimmy Ponder :: Steel City Soul

Ponder plays straight from his heart

Anders Jonasson | Bankeryd Sweden | 03/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The only reason for not giving this record 5 stars is that the CD is a mix of different recordings from 1988-1997. I had hoped for something that was recorded recently. Anyway, Ponders playing is worth much more than 5 stars. He does not play "flashy" he is in that sense in the same league as Peter Bernstein, where the music and groove is much more important than trying to impress.The first song, "Johnnys place is a real"cooker" There are several highlights on the CD, like "You are too beatiful" and the "The Bitter Earth" where Ponder is wonderfully backed by Dr Lonnie Smith on the B3. I you use feeling and groove as a measurement than Ponder must be one of the best jazz guitar players ever. He is in my opinion very underrated, similar to another "groovemaster" Stanley Turrentine. Everyone that love the muscic of Wes Montgomery, Grant Green and Kenny Burrell will like this music."