This duo was truly amazing--way ahead of their time. (Sargasso Sea was somewhat panned in the US by critics who didn't know what they were hearing.) I saw them play together in New York in the late 70s. It's still with me as one of my most memorable experiences.
What a exceptional find..the camera work is terrible but the musicianship is wonderful. This was a very good duo..an ECM genre a truly one of a kind performance. I got to see them in San Francisco at The Great American Music Hall in 1989 and they were more contained..I was on a business trip and only to find by chance they were playing...a good time had by all. Thank you for this post greatly appreciated 🙏.
man there is the "Segovia universe" of guitar then there is the "Ralph Towner" universe both are awesome and respect for both but it is so great to see that Ralph really forged his own language with this instrument
There’s some really special about the ECM sound. It’s a palpable melancholy I can’t quite explain in words, truly haunting. It’s jazz but at the same time completely it’s own thing.
I wonder if this German audience of the time ( and now) gained some appreciation of American musicianship- although tangential- in this age of Kraftwerk, Neu, and Tangerine Dream. Anyone care to comment?
They (we) certainly did - look up "ECM Records"! No mainstream, not a hint of tin pan alley, those musicians were at the time rather European-sounding. I suspect they were much better known over here than in the USA.
@@howardscarr9518 EXACTLY. You are absolutely right. Sometimes this purported "American Exceptionalism" isn't even recognized by Americans - and it wasn't and still isn't - these two are only a couple of numerous examples.
"Staircase" starts at around 19:30. Couldn't place any others. Some stuff in the first piece kinda reminded me of Towner's "Train Of Thought" but it mainly sounded improvised to me. Great upload!
"Over and Gone" from their Sargasso Sea album starts at 30:22. For YEARS I've hoped that piece was performed live by the two of them, and taped; this find is a wish come true.
I've read some of Towner's takes on playing with John Abercrombie, but none of Abercrombie's takes on playing with Ralph Towner. Any help in finding something would be much appreciated...
I wonder why the camera man never once gave a full-face picture of John Abercrombie (who was actually the superior musician of the two). Maybe because he's gay and he had the hots for Ralph Towner.
Видеоклипы
This duo was truly amazing--way ahead of their time. (Sargasso Sea was somewhat panned in the US by critics who didn't know what they were hearing.) I saw them play together in New York in the late 70s. It's still with me as one of my most memorable experiences.
I saw them in Essen /W-Germany about 1983. Icreadible concert! Widely free improvised.
I was fortunate to see them in Worcester MA and attend a guitar clinic they co-played... quite the treat for a young lifelong ECM fan
What a exceptional find..the camera work is terrible but the musicianship is wonderful. This was a very good duo..an ECM genre a truly one of a kind performance. I got to see them in San Francisco at The Great American Music Hall in 1989 and they were more contained..I was on a business trip and only to find by chance they were playing...a good time had by all. Thank you for this post greatly appreciated 🙏.
Just found this today. What a gem of a performance. Thanks for the download.
man there is the "Segovia universe" of guitar then there is the "Ralph Towner" universe both are awesome and respect for both but it is so great to see that Ralph really forged his own language with this instrument
Great!
There’s some really special about the ECM sound. It’s a palpable melancholy I can’t quite explain in words, truly haunting. It’s jazz but at the same time completely it’s own thing.
Grandes sonoridades desses mestres. ☮️🎶🎸🌎
incredible
!Hermoso!.
Improvisation (including theme from 'Ralph's Piano Waltz') 0:00 'Staircase' 19:29 Improvisation 24:55
'Over And Gone' 30:22 'Timeless' 33:38
¡Muchas gracias! Concierto sublime...
I'd love to hear this duo play some of Frank Zappa's charts.
Sargasso Sea
I wonder if this German audience of the time ( and now) gained some appreciation of American musicianship- although tangential- in this age of Kraftwerk, Neu, and Tangerine Dream. Anyone care to comment?
They (we) certainly did - look up "ECM Records"! No mainstream, not a hint of tin pan alley, those musicians were at the time rather European-sounding. I suspect they were much better known over here than in the USA.
@@howardscarr9518 EXACTLY. You are absolutely right. Sometimes this purported "American Exceptionalism" isn't even recognized by Americans - and it wasn't and still isn't - these two are only a couple of numerous examples.
I'm consistently baffled by cameramen from the 70s filming music - always on the accompaniment and/or someone's tapping foot!?
I hear "Ralph's Piano Waltz." Also "Timeless." Other titles in there?
"Staircase" starts at around 19:30. Couldn't place any others. Some stuff in the first piece kinda reminded me of Towner's "Train Of Thought" but it mainly sounded improvised to me. Great upload!
"Over and Gone" from their Sargasso Sea album starts at 30:22. For YEARS I've hoped that piece was performed live by the two of them, and taped; this find is a wish come true.
I've read some of Towner's takes on playing with John Abercrombie, but none of Abercrombie's takes on playing with Ralph Towner. Any help in finding something would be much appreciated...
12:56 THE LICK
😊
What the fuck kind of guitar is Abercrombie playing?!!
Electric Mandolin
Electric Mandolin made by Fender in the 60's.
I wonder why the camera man never once gave a full-face picture of John Abercrombie (who was actually the superior musician of the two). Maybe because he's gay and he had the hots for Ralph Towner.
You are a jerk, and an idiot. But you knew that already.