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New country with Vivaldi
Steve Morse collaborated on a new track with guitar player Angel Vivaldi. They have recorded a cover of New Country by Jean-Luc Ponty.
Angel Vivaldi band:
Violin — Siobhan Cronin
Bass — Joey Acampora
Keys — Ken Aihara
Drums — Bill Fore
Angel says:
This song is one I’ve dreamed of working with for well over a decade. Jean-Luc’s work has been instrumental in shaping my musical foundation, introducing me to artists like Chick Corea, whose influence is evident in my piece, ‘Eight.’ Collaborating with Steve Morse, and this incredible band, elevated this project to extraordinary levels. I’m truly thrilled that we had the opportunity to create music together.
Steve himself adds:
I love the fact that Angel is spreading his wings and taking on other genres than what he has already proven so good at. This Is a very difficult tune to play well. He played it well very easily while having a clear vision of the whole production.
Thanks to SteveMorse.com for the heads-up, and to Ultimate Guitar for the quotes.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
Ah, Steve in one of his artful airbrush color sleeveless shirts again, I can never get enough of these bald eagle prints, très chic, DP’s stage presentation just ain’t the same without them.
Song ain’t bad, but then Jean-Luc rarely disappoints.
October 6th, 2024 at 21:00I encourage anyone with an interest for 70’s fusion to seek out the original version by J-LP. This was the stiffest cover I’ve heard in a long time. Steve should have done the song with the Dregs instead.
October 6th, 2024 at 21:34@1
October 6th, 2024 at 21:37Give Steve a break why don’t you 😄 he is really nice in his shirts!
Actually I’m thinking of asking my sweetie to wear something similar ☺️
Yo,
Good to see everyone having a good-time, even if the 1st-verse didn’t have any guitars in the mix, though the video showed otherwise lol !
And nice to have Steve’s solo showcased & applauded by the others.
Good band.
Adonai vasu !
October 6th, 2024 at 22:58I agree totally regarding The Dregs doing it. A promotion of sorts for the ensemble no doubt. The lady playing the violin should ‘cover up’ I do think, it wouldn’t look as tacky. I watched for about 30 seconds & couldn’t kill it quick enough. Cheers.
October 6th, 2024 at 23:58Like probably a lot of people here, I first learned about Jean-Luc Ponty via his guesting on Sir Elton’s Honky Château in 1972:
https://youtu.be/A9RoNQWc2Dc
I always thought that was a keyboard solo in the song, though a quite adventurous one for Reginald. Turns out it’s not:
QUOTE
It was Marc Bolan who suggested using Jean-Luc Ponty. The violin solo on the recording was a first take, using a “regular” violin as opposed to the artist’s custom-made electric instrument. Gus: “[Ponty] then spent the next two or three hours trying to top it and didn’t get near it. I can remember Elton wandering around saying, ‘He’s so sweet!’, which he was.”
UNQUOTE
Jean-Luc’s eerie violin (I think a then still teenage Eddie Jobson of later Curved Air, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa, UK and Jethro Tull took a careful listen!) is also on Amy
https://youtu.be/61DetXSfivU,
a gritty funk tour de force that shows that Elton wasn’t just a middle of the road artist.
QUOTE
Gus revealed that this song was written for his wife, whose name was in fact Sheila. “It’s actually not about my wife but my nickname for her used to be Amy. Elton said, ‘You know, I’d quite like to write a song for Sheila.’ And, I thought, ‘How sweet.’ She couldn’t wait for him to write this song and it turned out to be a song she can’t stand. I must admit, it’s not exactly one of my favorites.”
UNQUOTE
I actually think that Honky Château was Sir Elton’s best album, but maybe that is because it was the first one I heard from him.
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PS, lest we forget, for Herr MacGregor, the ole yes-man …
https://youtu.be/LZw9jgHsRQ0
Owner of a horse & cart! 😂
October 7th, 2024 at 03:11