The AndersonPonty Band appeared at the Talking Stick Resort Showroom on November 21, 2015. I first saw Jon Anderson back in the late 70’s when he was the lead singer/songwriter for the band YES. I first saw Jean-Luc Ponty also in the late 70’s. It is now almost 40 years later and Jon’s voice is still as good as when I saw him with YES and Jean-Luc’s mastery of the jazz/rock violin is even better than it was then.
Jon Anderson had wanted to collaborate with Jean-Luc back in the 80’s, but they were not able to pull it off for various reason. They were finally able to get together, collaborate and produce an album together in 2014 titled Better Late Than Never.
The current band is made up of Jon Anderson (Lead Vocals), Jean-Luc Ponty (Violin), Wally Minko (Keyboards), Jamie Glaser (Guitar), Rayford Griffin (Drums) and Keith Jones (Bass). The concert was a mix of Jon’s YES years songs, Jean-Luc’s songs and songs from their new album. They performed 22 songs over two hours as a two-set show with a small intermission and an encore. It was great to hear Jon sing Owner of a Lonely Heart, Wonderous Stories, and Long Distance Runaround, which are three of the most popular and critically-acclaimed YES songs. Then to hear Jean-Luc perform his Enigmatic Ocean and Jig songs was an additional treat. Even their new songs, New New World and I See You Messenger, were outstanding and well received.
The show was an absolutely amazing performance by two great artists with a group of very good musicians. If you were a YES or Jean-Luc fan, then this show is for you. Or if you like classic rock performed by amazing artists, you will really enjoy this show.
Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Photos ©Fred Kuhlman 2015
For more information about the band and future tour dates, you can go to their web page at: http://www.andersonpontyband.com
The Anderson Ponty Band’s two-set setlist included:
Set 1
- Intro
- One in the Rhythm of Hope
- A For Aria
- Owner of a Lonely Heart
- Listening With Me
- Time and a Word
- Infinite Mirage
- Soul Eternal
- Enigmatic Ocean, Part 1 & 2
- I See You Messenger
- New New World
Set 2
- New Country
- Never Ever
- Wonderous Stories
- Long Distance Runaround
- Renaissance of the Sun
- State of Independence
- Jig
- And You and I
- Violin-Keys duet or Violin Solo
- Roundabout
Encore
- Re-Remembering Molecules
- Soon
