Hardbopjazz Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 I was listening to him tonight and wonder why he never made it big like other horn players. He is talented beyond words. If you're looking for a nice recording with him, "Annie Ross & Pony Poindexter" is a great recording. Pony also played on some Lambert Hendricks & Ross recordings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 (edited) I was listening to him tonight and wonder why he never made it big like other horn players. He is talented beyond words. If you're looking for a nice recording with him, "Annie Ross & Pony Poindexter" is a great recording. Pony also played on some Lambert Hendricks & Ross recordings. I consider Pony to have been a musical friend, and about as close a personal friend as we could be. (Read his autobiography to learn a bit more about the limits on such things. You'll also get some insight on why he never became "big".) To pick one of his recordings as a fun/interesting example, I'd choose Pony's Express. Look at the musician lineup. I'm not really of the mindset to go on right now about Pony; perhaps later. Complex cat. Edited October 31, 2011 by BeBop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 The two albums he cut for Prestige are nice, too. There was a 2 LP on 1 CD reissue un the British BGP label: But Pony's Express may be his masterpiece - one of the most astonishing all star saxists meetings ever recorded! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 I liked the one released on Inner City, tho the sound quality wasn't wonderful. IIRC, it was recorded in Seattle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brownian Motion Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 Don't know Pony's work, but I always liked his name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 Don't know Pony's work, but I always liked his name. And ya gotta like Neal Hefti's (Count Basie's) "Little Pony". Yes, same Pony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 I did read the autobiography, interesting stuff. My impression from musicians who knew him was that his alcoholism caused professional problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 I knew him late in his life, where age and general deterioration from a hard life were probably having as much impact as substances. For anyone who has met James Moody - open, friendly, and light-hearted, with everyone - well, Pony was not James Moody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 He said in his autobiography that he liked the life in Europe, but wasn't always satisfied with the sidemen. I saw him live with a local backup trio, and he was right ... his whole life was a combination of bad luck and circumstances, and, I think, lack of recognition for mainstream players during the turmoil of the 1960's and 70's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 (edited) FWIW, here's a Pony Poindexter discography I compiled ... please contact me if anything is missing.Disco Pony Poindexter.pdf Edited November 2, 2011 by mikeweil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romualdo Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 FWIW, here's a Pony Poindexter discography I compiled ... please contact me if anything is missing. nice one - thanks for the discography Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted November 2, 2011 Report Share Posted November 2, 2011 Thanks, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffcrom Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 FWIW, here's a Pony Poindexter discography I compiled ... please contact me if anything is missing. This is another of those "I love this place" moments. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardbopjazz Posted November 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2011 FWIW, here's a Pony Poindexter discography I compiled ... please contact me if anything is missing. Thanks Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
six string Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 (edited) I have had Pony Express and Plays the Big Ones for quite a while and concur on the former's standing to the latter. I also picked up a copy of Gumbo! w/Booker Ervin on Prestige recently. It hasn't drawn me in yet but to be honest I haven't played it many times. I should give it a spin tonight and see what happens. Edited November 8, 2011 by six string Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 On 1.11.2011 at 9:15 PM, mikeweil said: FWIW, here's a Pony Poindexter discography I compiled ... please contact me if anything is missing. Disco Pony Poindexter.pdf The download link doesn't work anymore - I'm in the process of typing all the data into BRIAN and will make it available again after I'm done. Added some new issues and details I found out in the meantime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 Oh, I like him a lot! This one is superb: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soulpope Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 19 minutes ago, clifford_thornton said: Oh, I like him a lot! This one is superb: More from this concert can be found here ....: https://www.discogs.com/de/Pony-Poindexter-Frank-Rosolino-Fritz-Pauer-Art-Farmer-The-Exciting-Jazz-Of-The-Early-70ies/release/10312566 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted July 15, 2018 Report Share Posted July 15, 2018 I've always found Plays The Big Ones and Gumbo very disappointing.. Pony's Express gets a regular play. That's as far as my knowledge goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted August 3, 2018 Report Share Posted August 3, 2018 L to R: John Handy, Pony Poindexter, John Coltrane, Frank Fischer, at Bop City. https://www.harlemofthewestsf.com/gallery/#jp-carousel-396 Pony Poindexter and Leo Wight at Bop City Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted August 3, 2018 Report Share Posted August 3, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonnymax Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Any relation to "Poinsy” Poindexter, friend to Felix the Cat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Friedman Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 To be honest, Pony Poindexter has never been a favorite of mine. One I do like is Pony’s Express mainly because it has many other saxophone players I like, and the arrangements are good. When I think of the alto sax players I like, Pony comes far far down the list. I sense a certain shrillness to his sound, and I don’t find his solos to be interesting, though there are likely a few exceptions. My comments are not in line with what others here have said, but it is just my personal opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 I like how he seems to turn up in unlikely places and/or in unlikely settings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted August 27, 2018 Report Share Posted August 27, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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