Return to Forever, with Jean Luc Ponty as a guest

[TheIrishlad12]

saw RTF in 2008, unfortunately JLP was not with them then, returned this year with him, but was unable to attend...

[jjobie]

I'd kill to hear Jean Luc Ponty duet with Al on "Race with the Devil on Spanish Highway..."

[thrashmetalkills]

Oh nevermind i know it is now. But wow with Jean-Luc Ponty. I really hope they do a studio album with him

[thrashmetalkills]

Is this Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant?

[saeidmomtahan]

Call me old, but this is music, not the shite we are sold on the tube

Rule of thumb, if it takes ass shaking to sell the music, it ain't music

[stevysound]

these guys are just amazing. can't wait to see the 2011 version of RTF

[270939]

This is my new favourite video on YouTube.

[SeerTrulth]

I will pay $100 to anyone who can PROVE that they took this video.

It is just amazing that you both captured and SHARED this piece of history with us.

Like many quiet Americans: I'm willing to PAY. Thank you!

[ESmithStringSlinger]

Had seen Al D.,Stanley C.,and Jean-Luc in 1993,and look forward to the Return to Forever/Zappa Plays Zappa show in MPLS!! How about that for Jen to sit in!! He'll sit in w/Zappa band,too.

[longboarder1960]

AMAZING VIDEO.... I never even knew they jammed together!

I love RTF & Ponty... I have many of their albums

THANK YOU

[darkhurd]

Too Funny!

[idolhands50]

Came back for another look and listen. Couldn't stop smiling and laughing. Worst part of this video is when it ended. Don't know if anybody remembers the first time they heard or seen Ponty, but I was watching Johnny Carson one night when he introduced Ponty. Ponty performed New Country, and I said what is this? I owned that record the next day. I eagerly anticipate each offering to this day. : 0 )

[idolhands50]

These compositions and playing still make my hair stand on end. AHHH What a rush! LOL

[vazapata]

Awwwwww.... I was really blown out by this cat and mouse game RTF play with Ponty! All in good mood and agreement, I mean really they vaguely guide him, then trick him, he's there in the middle and sometimes is left lost, and most times replies with his usual virtuosity. But most of all, they're all having a great time and laughing and playing amazing music! I've rarely heard such gaming in music, such playful mood...

Now for the big question: anywhere I can buy this live album?

[porsche962]

Just fantastic... Is all I can say !

[megafunk88]

Yeah- just go sit in with RTF on 'jester and Tyrant" without ever having heard it..no pressure. I have new mad respect for Ponty- he dove right in! The spots where he accidentally solos over the hokey clav interludes are adorable, I wonder why al didn't warn him to stop? lol.-like having a conversation in a noisy club and then the band stops right when you say loud and private, haha! Thanks or posting. Great 2 see these guys keeping such an epic composition alive, with a gracious guest as well

[ROKDawgROK]

I too have been a life-long fan of RTF and JLP and have always kept Chick and Stanley in my current "playlists" even before there were "playlists" lol. I think I was turned on to Chic by a kid in my 10th grade class (Charles Bone) and I believe my first album was Secret Agent. Strange but I can never the track "Central Park" on any music sites nor can I find the track that features Al Jereau and I think it was titled "Hot News Blues".....any ideas? (Lost Secret Agent" long ago sadly)

[pazzensutra]

I have had a really lousy day today, listening to the loud-mouthed and totally inconsiderate and idiotic co-workers who make my life miserable. Watching this wonderful video reminds me that there are some really great things still happening on this planet. Thanks for posting. It made me feel good. Ponty is one of the best ever.

[almc2242]

Stunning, I've also been a fan for many years. I hope they recorded this and launch it as an album. These are by far, my best interpreters of music, JLP and RTF. I have both entire collection.

[ChrisHaspeck]

Someone asked me .. - How does one get to jam with amazing musicians like this ?? HAHAHAHA ..

I thought the answer was easy .. PRACTISE mo fo .. PRACTISE !!!

The most legendary players on the planet ever .. all on stage at the saem time. Wow !! thank you for posting this !! RTF, JLP .. just wicked !!!

[PhunkyPhil72]

you couldn't get any more talent into a group than this, maybe throw in mclaughlin on guitar, but dimeola is still good for it...they are all the best of friends, thats how this is possible....all talent, no egos. amazing music. best rtf jam in yrs

[spoombung]

great stuff

[ssabgorp]

Jazz at it's best.

[vivelavidarocka]

Wow. This is fantastic. They didn't have a music guest when they stopped in NYC. I spotted a bunch of celebrities and famous musicians in the audience though. Best concert I've ever been.

[garausamuele]

@vivelavidarocka famous musicians such as?

[lsf665]

This is so great

[2manygitars]

It's nice to see Al playing a Les Paul.

[waltonfan32]

why are these guys this good?

[ramonovsky1]

impresionante

[TubeAmpMan]

Wow! It does not get any better than this! Man, what great musicians they are, I love them all, this is what I call a Super Group.

Al, Stanley, Chick, Jean Luc this is the greatest band ever! This music is very technical and complex, yet they play with such freedom and ease, simply Amazing!!!

[claudinqui]

Maravilloso, Jean Luc. Un privilegio verte con increíbles músicos.Viva tú violín mágico.

[doubts]

great stuff. wild and crazy as it should be sometimes

[Jetdreams65]

Stanley looks like shaq standing next to Jean Luc lolol

[Jimfowler44]

True!

[santibanks]

Haha look at Al! He's really having the time of his life! Stanley likes it too. Chick looks a bit grumpy to me

[glynnt54]

Holy Moly, can it get any better than that? I'll bet Miles would of loved to toot a few bars with that line-up. Bless 'em all for still carrying the torch that many thought was snuffed out!

[firstbooob]

ONLY  WOW...

[cfinston]

Ive been a RTF and JLP fan since a little boy. Im 50 now and still love them both!!!!!!!!

[AriannaTremayne]

@cfinston: Me too! :-)

[PeteWu49]

@cfinston Me too....how can one not love timeless music such as this? I know several musicians - this is what they like listen too. The stuff of the virtuoso.

[PeteWu49]

@cfinston me too!

[TheTimananda]

@cfinston

going on 61 and waiting with great joy for this Summers RTF4 tour.

Just saw Chick and Gary Burton and he is at the top of his stuff.

btw, what song are they doing?

[TheTimananda]

@cfinston

going on 61 and waiting with great joy for this Summers RTF4 tour.

Just saw Chick and Gary Burton and he is at the top of his stuff.

btw, what song are they doing? The Jester?

[wasuranum]

Wow! chick must invite his wife, Gayle, and johnny Mclaughlin too; and could be the fusion of the second RTF with the second M.O.

I wish was there :(

[alichoturko]

I wish that Al Di Meola had that edge he used to when he was younger. I like his playing now, very much in fact, but in this setting, he seems to be less than stellar.

Stanley should leave the upright at home and not indulge in hour long boring solos.

The drumming is perfect, of course.

And Chick is God's son. (Lord L. Ron)

[bigalstp]

I was lucky enough to catch their set in Houston 5/08. What city did Jean Luc join them in?

[humbleoverdrive]

in Nice France. a great concert, i was there.-)

[BooneBright]

I was there, man, it was soooooo awesome.

I was fuckin' high, sat in the back of the huge ollive trees garden (where u have the best sound) and I was so amazed when Ponty played with RTF on this tune (Duel Of The Jester And The Tyrant, which is one of my favorite)

I thank you soooo much to have put this video online cuz its always hard to remember what you heard (especially when ur high) so it's great to watch this again and remember how it was to see them live

thank you again

[StarryNightBluesBand]

stunning !!! 6 stars !!!

[Wuxiadivaandmore]

Awesome!

[lsf665]

Very, very good!!!

[carloslaran]

what song is this

[RhodesII]

It is called "The Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant part I and II". It is originally from the album The Romantic Warrior.

[bankebrum]

WOOF!!

[carloslaran]

i heard nigel kennedy was at that concert thay shouldve had him jam with them as well.

[mangothefish]

Great jam. Let's get the Mahivishnu Orchestra back too! What city was this in?

[darel8888]

What a Band! One of the greatest ever. Fantastic to see such spirit of fun....just so easy to listen to and get into. Found myself just beaming!! Thanks for posting. ps love the camera special effects ;-)

[dragonreborn888]

Jean-Luc tears it up nice!