Search - Jean-Luc Ponty :: Civilized Evil

Great introduction

David V. Watts (dwatts@wt.net) | Houston, TX | 10/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Early Ponty is marred for me by the poor recording techniques used. What I mean is, if you listen to early Ponty it seems clear that the record producers had no idea how to handle a violin, and it comes out sounding like a bad guitar. This album changed all that. It was my introduction to Ponty so I guess I'll always have a soft spot for it - but really, it is very good. The sound is great - it's not too far toward the middle of the road, and his band was really gelling here. It also has some nice guitar work. "Once a Blue Planet" is wonderful. The sound clicks available here are very representitive of the music on the album."

The Quintessential JLP

E. Dale Franks | Escondido, CA USA | 06/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Very often an artist will release an album that encapsulates the essentials of the artist's work. Think of the Eagles and "Hotel California", or "Damn the Torpedoes" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. For Jean-Luc Ponty, "Civilized Evil" is that album. Which means, of course, that if you buy only one JLP album, this is the one you should get.Ponty illustrates both his mastery of the Jazz Violin (Now there's something you don't see every day!), and every aspect of his techno-funk fusion style on this CD. And his style is varied, ranging from the hautingly beautiful and orchestral "Forms of Life" to the pure driving fusion of "Peace Crusaders" to the retro progressive Jazz sound of "Happy Robots".Buy this CD now, and, like me, you'll be listening to it with as much happiness 20 years later (My God, has it been THAT LONG!)."

I had forgotten this was missing in my life....

Stephen Nelson | 05/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Civilized Evil is one of my absolute favorite albums ever. I first bought the cassette, then the album and the disc. I first heard this on a college station in Colorado in the 80's. Listening in a dark, candlelit atmosphere, Once Upon a Blue Planet never fails to pull emotion. I love every track of this unique disc. JLP at his best."