Ralphe Armstrong- Transcriptions

Blunt · #1 07-07-2006, 03:03 AM

On Enigmatic Ocean Ralph Armstrong laid down some of the most badass fusion grooves of all time.
While I have worked out and transcribed some lines, I have never found a trace of any Armstrong lines transcribed on the net.

This bass player needs more recognition.

And I want those transcriptions.

Any links or snippets appreciated.

winston · #2 07-09-2006, 03:48 AM

I listened to "Enigmatic Ocean" on vinyl a few weeks ago and was mightily impressed as usual by Ralphe. He's also great on Eddie Harris' "Eddie Who?", where he really stretches out on fretless in a sax/drums trio. Haven't transcribed any of his stuff, but I've been meaning to figure some of it out.

JJBACOOMBA · #3 07-09-2006, 07:15 AM

Wow, glad to see his name on TB. Enigmatic ocean was some of the firast bass lines I learned. Now I'm dating myself , LOL!! Awesome bass player.

thumpbass1 · #4 07-09-2006, 07:40 AM

The man is one incredible bass player. What he did with
Jean Luc Ponty should be required listening for all bass players.

**j-raj** · #5 07-09-2006, 07:52 AM

"Enigmatic Ocean" is one of the first fusion albums I heard as a kid... Something that my mother was playing at a party for her guests in 1980...

Ralphe is a killer player!

jerry · #6 07-09-2006, 08:50 AM

They finally put out the live Ponty album on CD a couple years back. Ralph does a couple burning solos on it, I still want to replace my old Mastro Brassmaster because of those solos.

He was in his teens when he played with Ponty too.

Funky-Wunky · #7 07-09-2006, 09:34 AM

I hadn't listened to that for years and bought the cd a while back. Man it was fresh as the day it was recorded. Just awesome. I agree it should be required listening for all bass players!

JAUQO III-X · #8 07-09-2006, 10:36 AM

Every thing that Ralphe has played on should be required listening and his solo's are truly all his own,he really is a great talent that for what ever reason has been overlooked to the highest level.

I put him right there with
James Jamerson
Anthony Jackson
Chuck Rainey
&
Bernard Edwards

because of his genius

p.s.

Hey J,read what I had to say about him in my thank you's from my CD(that you have a copy of,if you didn't burn it

)

winston · #9 07-09-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Every thing that Ralphe has played on should be required listening and his solo's are trluy all his own,he really is a great talent that for what ever reason has been overlooked to the highest level.

Ralphe was featured in a Bass Player mag article maybe 7 or 8 years ago. He said that when he had kids he made a conscious decision to give up touring so he'd be there to see them grow up. May have affected his name recognition, but he sounds like a standup guy!

JAUQO III-X · #10 07-09-2006, 04:11 PM

If you're ever in Detroit,there's a good chance you can catch him performing or just hangin at Bakers Keyboard lounge on Livernois Ave.

MysticMichael · #11 07-09-2006, 08:55 PM

Enigmatic Ocean is, of course, a superb album. But I personally like Cosmic Messenger even better. Ralphe's solo on Egocentric Molecules is nothing short of inspirational. It never fails to give me goosebumps - even after so many years and so many listenings...

MM

burk48237 · #12 07-09-2006, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

If you're ever in Detroit,there's a good chance you can catch him performing or just hangin at Bakers Keyboard lounge on Livernois Ave.

I have had the privialage a couple of times, also saw Tony Williams there, among others, GREAT CLUB and certainly a mainstay in Jazz History.

Blunt · #13 07-11-2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

If you're ever in Detroit,there's a good chance you can catch him performing or just hangin at Bakers Keyboard lounge on Livernois Ave.

I want to visit Detroit right now.

Problem is I am half a world away.

Any word on transcriptions of this awesome bass talent.

alembicf1x · #14 07-11-2006, 01:14 PM

He laid down two of the baddest bass solos ever, Struggle of the Turtle to the Sea Part III and Egocentric Molecules, when he was in his early twenties.

I agree he belongs with the highest caliber of sidemen out there, the reason he doesn't have a higher profile is probably because his credits list is not nearly as impressive as Jamerson's, Rainey's, Jackson's, et al.

Bellbass · #15 07-11-2006, 01:41 PM

+1 for Ralph, a Master (gotta love them Mutrons!)

Blunt · #16 07-14-2006, 07:24 AM

Well we have some admirers but no transcriptions. Some one out there get on it.

Funky-Wunky · #17 07-21-2006, 08:37 PM

I looked a bit, can't find anything. I doubt you will ever find it since it would take a lot of effort to transcribe such incredible passages, and doubtful it anyone has done it.

RichGlass · #18 08-16-2006, 02:53 PM

I was inspired by this thread to transcribe Enigmatic Ocean III by Jean Luc Ponty featuring Ralph Armstrong on bass. You can check out the transcription at www.richglass.biz.
It is an example under Bass Transcription Service.
The exact location:
http://www.richglass.biz/Enigmatic%20Ocean%20III.htm

Please give me some feedback and I hope you like the transcription!

Rich Glass

MixBass · #19 08-17-2006, 12:56 AM

I saw JLP w/ Ralphe back then and Ralphe was a riot. Layin down wicked grooves and chewin gum and blowin big bubbles wearing some funky big sunglasses.He's showtime. Sorry though, no transcriptions here.

Basshole · #20 08-17-2006, 01:21 AM

Struggle of the Turtle to the Sea Part III is the single best "turn that sh*t up!!" bass solo I think I can name.

He plays with a [dare I say it?] guitar-like fluidity in the solo that's just totally bad@ss.

Ralphe is the man.

Here's Ralphe laying it down with a soon-to-be killer drummer:

Link