The Ponzi Scheme Explained

The Ponzi Scheme
Type:	studio
Artist:	Firewater
Cover:	Firewater_The_Ponzi_Scheme.jpg
Recorded:	Winter 1997
Studio:	RPM, NYC Excello, Brooklyn
Genre:	Alternative rock
Length:	42:58
Label:	Jetset
Producer:	Tod Ashley, Doug Henderson
Prev Title:	Get Off the Cross
Prev Year:	1996
Next Title:	Psychopharmacology
Next Year:	2001

The Ponzi Scheme is the second studio album by the American alternative rock band Firewater.^[1] It was released in 1998 by Jetset.^{[2] [3]}

Critical reception

The Washington Post wrote that "The Ponzi Scheme isn't as diabolically sophisticated as it intends, but the band ... does have a cosmopolitan style."^[4] The Calgary Herald listed it as the eighth best album of 1998, writing that it "brings together a potpourri of elements—horns, guitars, jazz, Latin, ska, funk and rock riffs—and creates a magnificent musical melange."^[5]

Personnel

Adapted from The Ponzi Scheme liner notes.^[6]

Firewater

• Tod Ashley – lead vocals, bass guitar, production
• George Javori – drums
• Ori Kaplan – guitar
• Tim Otto – saxophone
• Hahn Rowe – violin
• Paul Wallfisch – piano, organ

Additional musicians

• Duane Denison – guitar (11, 12)
• Pamela Fleming – trumpet (7)
• Susan Graham – alto saxophone (7)
• Paula Henderson – baritone saxophone (7)
• Jennifer Hill – saxophone (7), piccolo (7)
• Kurt Hoffman – saxophone (11, 12)

Additional musicians (cont.)

• Jim Kimball – drums (11, 12)
• Tamir Muskat – drums (2, 8)
• David Ouimet – piano (7, 11, 12), organ (7, 11, 12), trombone (7, 11, 12)
• Joe Plummer – saxophone (7)
• Jane Scarpantoni – cello (3, 4, 10, 12)
• Birgit Staudt – accordion (5)

Production and additional personnel

• Jay Healy – mixing (3)
• Doug Henderson – production, mixing (1, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12)
• Rod Hui – mixing (5)
• Ted Jensen – mastering
• Sylvia Massy – mixing (2, 4, 8–10)

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
United States	1998	Jetset	CD	TWA11
		Universal		UD 53161

Notes and References

1. Web site: Firewater Biography, Songs, & Albums. AllMusic.
2. Amanda . Nichols . Firewater . . 2007 . July 20, 2015.
3. Web site: Reviews. CMJ New Music Monthly. May 22, 1998. CMJ Network, Inc.. Google Books.
4. News: FIREWATER 'THE PONZI SCHEME' CHERRY/UNIVERSAL . The Washington Post . 21 October 2021.
5. News: Muretich . James . Discs: The critic's picks for '98 . Calgary Herald . 27 Dec 1998 . C2.
6. The Ponzi Scheme . . 1998 . booklet . . New York City, New York.