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Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive through November 11, 2010 » Archive: 2008 » Archive through March 17, 2008 » RALPHE ARMSTRONG - MONSTER PLAYER! « Previous Next »

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white_cloud
Advanced Member
Username: white_cloud

Post Number: 324
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 - 9:04 am:   Edit Post

I have just been listening to my old jean-luc-ponty lp's and was once again struck by how superb Ralphe Armstrong's bass playing was!

The track "struggle of the turtle to the sea pt3" features a quite fantastic bass solo that is laced with distortion and cry baby! Also, the JLP lp, simply entitled "live" has some supreme bass performances & solos on it - wonderful stuff!

I know Ralphe played in John Mclaughlins Mahavishnu orchestra at the age of 17. Apparantly the late great Jaco Pastorius turned up at a Mahavishnu rehearsal looking for a gig but Mclaughlin told Jaco "sorry but I have an absolute monster on bass called Ralphe Armstrong!"

There seems to be incredibly little about Ralphe on the net, anyone out there got any more info about him? about the kind of bass he played/amp he used? Seems a shame that such a fine player has virtually disappeared!

John.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 973
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 - 9:45 am:   Edit Post

Here is a fairly recent interview with him.

Keith
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 974
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 - 10:02 am:   Edit Post

Also if I recall correctly Ralph took up a teaching position at a university after his children were born. I heard it was to be around them as they grew up. He also mentioned that now that they were grown he was starting to get back out and looking to possibly tour again.

Keith
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 1397
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 - 2:21 pm:   Edit Post

here's Ralphe on bass with jean-luc ponty. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOFzVYh-v_A
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 1398
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 - 2:25 pm:   Edit Post

Also check here for just about any Bassplayer.....http://www.bassplayersontheinternet.com/
cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 269
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 - 2:32 pm:   Edit Post

What is that guitar?!!? At first I thought it looked like a double-neck version of an Ibenez Bob Weir model (though I've never heard of such a beast), but then they showed the headstocks, which look like Bozo - but AFAIK Bozo's never done an electric. Anyone recognize it?

Peter
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 2963
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 - 5:26 pm:   Edit Post

I looks like an Ibanez 2670 Artwood Twin. (The Weir models are the 2680 and 81 - 81 with Tree of Life, 80 without). Here's some pics and info on the Artwood Twin.

Bill, tgo
room037
Advanced Member
Username: room037

Post Number: 206
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 - 8:15 pm:   Edit Post

This double-neck guitar was made by "Rex Bogue".
Ibanez was inspired it, and made as Artwood Twin.
John McLaughlin said " I'll never show the details for protect from copy models. "

Eiji
white_cloud
Advanced Member
Username: white_cloud

Post Number: 325
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 4:33 am:   Edit Post

Great links Keavin & Keith - once again proves the benefit of liasing with the great members of this club!

John.

(Message edited by white cloud on March 04, 2008)
cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 271
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 8:03 am:   Edit Post

Thanks, guys.

Peter

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