released December 15, 2023

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Interview with Adam Ponting, Dec 2023

Q. So, there are three Keith Jarrett songs on this album. Why is that?

A. Well, it just happened! I like them, and have never heard anyone else play them. "Still Life" and "Expectations" were about the first tunes in the band's book, a few years ago. And I love the feel on "Chant of the Soil" from the album "Sleeper" when it gets going - the bass and drums go off!

Q. "That's What Friends Are For" seems an unusual choice?

Yeah [laughs], a friend told me it's their favourite song, so I checked it out. I remembered it as a super-schmaltzy song from the 80s. But it struck me how great Gladys Knight sounds on that, and it's by Burt Bacharach, so I thought I'd give it a go. It's a latiny version with horns.

Q. And the other tunes? "Blues for the Packing Boss"

Uh.. that's a blues of mine. Because I really felt like playing a blues one day.

Q. "Georgia"

I'd just discovered the amazing Emily King and was playing this before I knew it. It's cute and ever so slightly unusual, chord and form-wise.

Q. "Masqualero"

Well, the original Miles version is soo great, it would be crazy to even try to compete [laughs]. I just felt like playing it one day, swing. The tune is so simple but so deep, so fertile, like a lot of Wayne's tunes.

Q. What's next?

Well, lately working on some more good old good ones, some originals, some slightly more experimental stuff, some pieces adding orchestral instruments. Anything could happen. [laughs]