Mahavishnu Orchestra:Vital transformation

[nonsensevector]

who needs a better format? this album kicked my 15 year old butt so hard i didn't know what to think but after about 5 listenings i started to git it. billy said later that he hurt himself performing. it took me several months to get to a close approximation of his opening rhythm statement. and yes it hurt.

[electrixladyland69]

"Eisntein was proven a cheater, he used his wife's research papers to cheat. The Relativity Theory is hers, not einstein's."

Einstein was, a one writer called it: "Plagiarist of the Century." Unfortunately, this fraud's name is still associated with "genius" or someone who is extremely bright down to this very day. The man who was a major player in the history of E = mc2 and who really deserves credit for it is Italian physicist Olinto De Pretto (1904). Do a Google search on the subject.

[444Guitarboy]

@electrixladyland69 What are you doing here. I am trying to listen to music, not hear conspiracy theories.

[limzero1992]

@electrixladyland69 dafuq man! are u pasting this shit in all u2b videos?

[turtlliwdnifuoyehthr]

@electrixladyland69

feminist

[electrixladyland69]

My favorite tune on the album! These are not mere mortals playing...no way, especially in 1971, FORTY years ago. My gracious, how many musicians can play with the same intensity today? The Mahavishnu Orchestra was to fusion music (which, by the way, they invented) what Jimi Hendrix was to rock music--totally original, new and mind-blowing. Speaking of which, had Jimi lived, he would've been in awe (too).

[cbjgdicad1]

flame or liberty cap?

[RaulGordonG]

¡Ah!

[Fastfart007]

Thats AWESOME

[shadowknight132]

Whoa reminds me of Zappa at the beginning.

[arklat]

@shadowknight132 Frank Zappa and John McLaughlin do have a common element. They both had Jean Luc Ponty play in their bands. I spoke to him on a phone in your question for Jean Luc Ponty on a radio show in Los Angeles in the late 70's, and I asked him which one, Zappa or McLaughlin, was the most difficult taskmaster. He said McLaughlin was the most serious, but Zappa was more demanding, but more fun to play with.

[DougPearsall]

I remember hearing this album for the first time, being awed by the sheer power, the audacity and the technical prowess. what a team, what an accomplishment-still rocks me soulfully even now.

btw-Billy Cobham is frekin ambidextrious..jus so ya know.

[Psycho9263]

@DougPearsall I bet he's riding on the hi-hat with his left hand on this piece.

[annjeelynn]

billy cobham is quite possibly the best drummer ever playing the worst sounding kit of all time - probably didnt think the band would last past the first album

[dorian411]

@annjeelynn he really did not have a very good kit at the time. Remember, both him and Jan were serious jazzbos. Even to this day there is not a lot of money in integrity.

[fsol13]

@annjeelynn

this is like 128 kbps, ofcourse it sounds awful.

[madsrosing]

Billy Cobham I loooooove your drumming!!!!

[arklat]

If you like this, check out Billy Cobham's album he did after leaving Mahavishnu. It is called "Spectrum". 1973, I believe. Monster album! Tommy Bolin played guitar, and he is way beyond belief on some of the riffs he accomplishes, somehow! He also showcases Jan Hammer, and Ron Carter.

[arklat]

Only one American in this line up. Superband? I think YES!

[Angryjazz]

The world needs more hard-charging rock songs in 9/4.

[shalevgr10]

@Angryjazz its 9\8 god damn it!!!

[Angryjazz]

hey, nice e-penis...!

[shalevgr10]

@Angryjazz :D :D :D :D

[acedrumminman]

This record changed drumming for me forever... Otherworldly.

[ADDcomedian]

Beyond all understanding. Simply a message from somewhere cosmic. Carl Sagan's brain? Stephen Hawking's thought process? Indescribable.

[mrhorn2001]

this is my desert island disc. if i had to pick only one.

[krishnamurti333]

"Is there a reason for today?" Mahavishnu o..

[tiborvivi]

clydesher, Eisntein was proven a cheater, he used his wife's research papers to cheat. The Relativity Theory is hers, not einstein's.

[mranamtip]

@tiborvivi All the other scientists were unaware that he wasn't really very smart?

[mrlucky777]

@tiborvivi people have been writing about that for years.

[nobileogami]

Artisti veri... 

[DerekDomino96]

The drum break at 5:10 reminds me a lot of the beat from Jeff Beck's "Scatterbrain"... real good

[lukat93]

perfect for jamming out

[TheDallyLama]

this is like the way better version of Mars Volta :D

[MovingToMontana]

I'm an atheist. But Billy Cobham is a GOD.

[johnbambammorgan]

THIS RECORDING NEEDS TO BE RELEASED IN DTS 5.1 SURROUND AND HIGH RESOLUTION STEREO. Cam I get a HELL YES?????? I'm gonna contact Rhino Records about this. I suggest ALL of you also do the same. If enough of us Ask for it, they will release it in a great format.

[Shady32]

I have to try and listen to this stuff after some beers and joints...

[arklat]

@Shady32. Otherwordly!

[carmic97]

Superb!!! I never get tired of this

[joshpribyl15]

If this was listened to high, it's quite possible the human brain would turn inside out.

[ogenmatic]

@joshpribyl15 Not true - I survived it many times when this stuff was new. I enjoy it now for its technical intensity.

[MoNicholasLaird]

Infinity out of 5

[LittleLaurenPeeps]

Absolutely love these guys...they made such fantastic music!

[TheDanification]

does anyone know where i can find a live version of vital transformation as performed by the first mahavishnu orchestra?? Youtube doesnt seem to have one...and its my favorite tune by them.

[dorian411]

@TheDanification Go to Wolfgang's Vault. MANY MANY MO Live concerts.

[stixondrums]

the masters were at work long ago contin u to study children

[weewilly49]

All you people are Right! If you're able to get inside this and most other Mahavishnu tracks, there's an indescribable depth of feeling that happens rarely in music. But as I said, it's Most tracks on all their 5 or 6 recordings.

[soybalm]

I saw him open up for J Geils. That actually worked out well because you that it's a completely different bag and Geils was great at what they did and there isn't anyone in John McLaughlin's lane.

[sxmadrid]

This is so damn good it makes me sad. Whatever happened to music taking over the world?

[agustinkpo97]

this is a trip to the inner yourself

[noiz87]

No way.. 

[rexasul]

This is the EPITOME of all good fusion.

[clyde8her]

At 2:43 : unbelievable........{{{{{{{{

[juanbarros88]

I would say 9/8. i don't think the quarter notes are that fast to be considered 9/4. there are 9 eight notes not 9 quarter notes per beat.

[mutantthrash]

isn't the intro beat 9/8?

[auhoward14]

@mutantthrash Yeah

[jodonte1]

doesn't get any better...................

[EyMeng]

Why is modern fusion just as technical but so sterile sounding, needs more tubes or something. This is AWESOME

[dorian411]

@EyMeng "Modern fusion" MAY be as technical (I believe NOT). Unless you were there (70's) you have no idea how important JM and the MO were (are). IMF is truly an album from humanity's best. This music came on the scene and all guitar frontman rockers knew they had to step it up, and jazzbos could see the future. I have been listening to this (and ALL JM) since 1972 and I agree, this IS AWESOME.

[EyMeng]

why is modern fusion just as technical but totally plastic. Mahavishnu I was dirty!!! LOVE THIS TRACK!

[boogster123321]

@EyMeng because this is brilliant and then record companies would go "you know this is genius but people might not get because its to complex or some other stupid reason. yeah that david sanborn guy, he plays good sax and that kenny g guy to. okay hook them up with a record deal and then lets have them sell a billion records and ruin these guys." thats what happened.

[clyde8her]

@boogster123321 I don't think it was that calculated but don't worry, JM has made a fortune and he will always be "fringe" music just by nature. Doesn't mean we can't enjoy the hell out of it though...Saw him with MO in the Astrodome in about '75 and it was mind altering...

[boogster123321]

@clyde8her oh yeah, i knew this record actually charted and JM is famous world wide. but that has happened to several other musicians in the realm of jazz

[CharlieEchoMike]

12 22 32 423

[Xychronicles]

damn i luv drumming to this song

[kevfullo]

i didn't know what this tune was called for a few years as i had it on tape off a mate, "fine hit" we called it, classic

[tpfolair]

it's in 9/4

[Psycho9263]

@tpfolair I agree its in 9/4 but some mistaken it for 5/8 time

[rcastro957]

If you think Conham's playing a 4/4 beat, you must not be listening to the same music the rest of us are. Time signature alterations in this song are frequent, to say the least.

[septip123]

I hate these 4/4 drum beats. So boring.

[dumbkenny]

@septip123

Something tells me septip123 is just joking around. Of course it's not 4/4.

[septip123]

@dumbkenny I was pretending to be the "dumb 19-year-old" college girl who hates anything but Britney Spears.

Then again...would she understand what 4/4 means?

[Mandog77]

@septip123 people who are replying to you negatively are really stupid.

[melodica77]

nice

[melodica77]

nice

[AdobePhsyko]

INSANE Musicianship

[personM4N]

I wish people still made real music =-(

[PirateYoshi]

I was listening to this on iTunes, then I got this up so that I could send it to one of my friends... what I didn't know was that this actually started playing (which was odd, because I definitely paused it) in the background, whilst I still had it playing on iTunes... such insanity, it's awesome enough as it is!

[sgilling]

the drummer was solid

[imXaXteapot2112]

Anyone hear the raging china at 4:20?

[gainiac]

@imXaXteapot2112 Yup...Marking the 8th note...

[MikeTheGuy00]

Lol... i don't know what tempo to nod my head to sometimes when listening to this song...

Meaning this drummer knows his rhythm and i need to do a little knowing :o

[GreeneMachine23]

Lol, yeah when I'm on the bus I try to tap my feet along and get lost :| Fail.

[MikeTheGuy00]

Haha i knooow right???

[gainiac]

@MikeTheGuy00 9/8 :)

[Psycho9263]

@gainiac It could be in 3/8 at least it sounded that way in the intro beat. but it changes to 5/8, 9/4 and 4/4.

[RadiantMirage]

God, Billy Cobham really knows how to hammer those drums...

[imXaXteapot2112]

That is such amazing layering at the end of it.

[imXaXteapot2112]

He's just fucking with you guys.I bet he was laughing at the statement he made because when heard this he jizzed in his pants.

[TheB0P]

ehh... this is ok i guess... ;)

i can't believe Dr. Cobham does this for 6 minutes! my arms can't move that fast for 30 seconds!

[jimmyc4321]

...still my fav....all these later

[temulterousbazoon]

pure saphire bullets of genius billy is my god and this band blew my mind had to rethink my method to playin drums..............GENIUS

[Bedouin1957]

Good Lord I haven't heard this in many, many a year. I never understood these guys...till I dropped acid...LOL! Great stuff...thanks for this.

[clyde8her]

Billy Cobham can barely play ?!? Einstein could barely think, Renoir could barely paint, Jordan could barely shoot, Dale could barely drive...amusing if it wasn't such a pathetic statement.

[senseitre]

@clyde8her Agreed that is totally ridiculous. Personally I prefer Michael Walden's stuff with Mahavishnu but that's probably cos I heard it first. I saw Cobham a few years ago with the 'Orchestra' with Frank Gambale and others and he was a MONSTER. Incredibly disciplined player..

[krishnamurti333]

@clyde8her

"Is there a reason for today?" Mahavishnu o.

[perdunchiki]

this is not a music, it is spiritual brigde to divine

[solarsystemboots]

@perdunchiki cute theory... though music is, without mention, a bridge to the spirit.

[justinbgaga]

@perdunchiki ditto

[klistarf]

I can hardly believe that someone has said on here that Billy Cobham "can barely play". That would be like saying that Michael Jackson could barely dance. All i can say is: Sort it out, taxiboysdrummer... >:o/

[albertwmoore]

This why the music now days sucks, too say that Billy Cobbham can,t play, Number one you have no clues wat being a musican is about, just because you can play rock band does not make you a musician, Taxiboy drummer, youy are one of the wrongest musician i have seen on the internet!

[TheLongingSH]

I play Rock Band and I know it doesn't make me a musician. However because of it it inspires me to write songs, listen to a wider variety of music, and to learn how to play drums (though I'll never be as good as Billy Cobham... only in my dreams.) Does that not count for SOMETHING?

[poliboardthemovie]

@taxiboysdrummer do you have frontal lobe damage? or perhaps your brain forgot to grow a frontal lobe altogether?

[ImprobusVisio]

Cobham is the drumGod, at least on this record, man so so fine musicianship.

[Anaraziel]

so good...

[truck2112yes]

Meant to say DEVOTION (1970) I just listened to some of that after 20 years...still hurts my ears.

[truck2112yes]

It amazes me how Mclaughlin's skill increased so rapidly. For me, EXTRAPOLATION (1969) was not very good. The Inner Mounting Flame is so much better.

[1234Swiper]

Their style is so unique.

[Yony42]

This song reminds me a lot of RTF at points 0:56 for example

[nicko6508]

yes very much so, the whole sci-fi sound big time there

[ClemenzaKimble]

I wish that last part could've lasted longer. I like the sound at 6:08. Is it Jan Hammers synth? I love his organ sound on here too.

[poliboardthemovie]

@ClemenzaKimble Try Snoopy's Search/Red Baron on Cobham's Spectrum album... intro to the song is the same sort of synth action.

[drumminginchicago9]

Ya when they are pros it gets technical but this was done before click tracks and whatever techno crap is out now its all good and its all different expressions of mind , heart, and soul that makes each musician stand apart from each other and learn from each other also nobodys the best just unique

[drumminginchicago9]

Any time i see people bashing the skills or sounds of any of these muscians its just fucking stupid they do this for a livin and dont have day jobs there job is music its all different and thats what is good neg opinions are like assholes evrybody has one some have 2

[tribals12]

These guys are true innovatorsof fusion

Music.

yep dummerofchicago :Totaly agree

[zinnington]

This was the album which made a lot of serious guitars players realize from the 60's that there was more to life than 1,4,5. This album sent a lot of players to teacher and to Berkely. You had to be a musician not just a player. Reality.

[EinSofVirtuoso]

And to think people say Death Metal is technical...Ha they havent heard of Mahavishnu

[Prometheus1df]

I'm a death metal fan and it can be very technical at times, but you're right, not quite as technical as this.

[bobbilly]

seriously I'm a death metal fan too and it depends on what kind of death metal you listen so is more technical some less but anyway we dont really care of the technicallity it's more the originality....

I really love mahavishnu orchestra and I know it's very technical the thing is that's very original too

[ironledtallicafloyd9]

5:42 is the sound by Jan Hammer I hate the worst

[Tengent]

Ooooh I love that. I despise the weird moog on Celestial Terristrial Commuters.

[haveajerk]

Noooo! That one sounds before 5:42 and I think it sounds really cool

[raymo13a]

back in 73 my friend told me the bass goes backward on the downside

[drummerofchicago]

Billy Cobham AKA Boomer the Godfather of fusion drumming and still going strong

[AggressiveC]

Billy Cobham's beats are absolutely rediculous. How could any band play AFTER Mahavishnu?

[mattandjeff]

I saw him live 2 years ago and it was AMAZING.

For me he is the best drummer in the world.

[newpowermoves]

I have to agree.

Without a drummer with Cob's capabilities, this doesn't sound 1/4 as good!

[dorian411]

new power moves, McLaughlin has a way of finding and playing with ONLY the finest

[dorian411]

newpower...

for me without any of them it doesn't sound as good. MO I was my favorite.

[dksexy]

@AggressiveC wasn't it Michael Walden on Drums

[dorian411]

@AggressiveC Yep, a tall order. Just read what Kramer and Perry of Aerosmith wrote about the experience. After watching Cobham play Kramer said he could not believe he played the same instrument!! LOL.

[zacho3to]

@AggressiveC Dream Theater hahaha but you right crazy awesome band for starting in the late 70's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rexasul]

@zacho3to Dream Theater don't reach this kind of pure synergy and intensity though. This grooves on your soul and sends you to another plane of existence.

[zacho3to]

@AggressiveC wait i lied it was early 70's hahaha insaneee

[clyde8her]

@AggressiveC I actually watched YES do just that...at the Astrodome and what a show. JM definitely blew it for YES...he is no act to follow for sure.

[szelenberg]

@AggressiveC

do you know SBB?

[frantiskan]

i think 9/8

[puddnhead]

Does this count in 9?

[ComradeJX8P]

Yes, and in the calmer part you can count it in 3/4 with triplets.

[NJlo]

I count 4 5 myself, or 2 2 3 2 as I think it's supposed to be called..

[franz909]

" more talent " than this band , give me a break, on what planet , these guys are MASTERS AT THEIR CRAFT .

Once you reached this level of expertise , it all comes down to style , as far as preference .

[traymondw]

I saw this band in a venue with about 50 people in 1974 and loved their work ever since. It'll vibrate your DNA and make you talk in tongues. Toooooo immortal!

[TudorGDavies]

Kalelio13> No matter what your views on this music are, there's no need for foul language.

[Atacamamusic]

What's foul to you may be acceptable to others.

[TudorGDavies]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly why Adolf Hitler got away with it for so long.

[mosquit0]

GODWIN ALERT

[CaptBosh]

actually called jazz fusion / progressive

[jjmsmusic]

Who honestly cares about labels? :P

I prefer to call it "awesome music".

and MY GOD, that drum beat is insane.

[tshibuta]

few years ago I only used to think of Mahavishnu as a band that only play weird songs, but listening to this song I feel regretful.

they are amazing. they are so,,, how do I say this. COOL

[viidiot]

Best band ever? Maybe......Definatly one of MY top 5 favorite bands. Look at it this way, can you think of another band w/ more talent at playing their instruments than this one? I can only think of a handfull of candidates.

[SamySaxo]

Un son toujours aussi moderne, malgrè le temps qui passe. Quelle pêche !

Dommage que l'enregistrement soit de mauvaise facture ...

[jamomo1371]

Not 9/8, but the dreaded 19/16!!!!

[nohajc]

19/16 is in another Mahavishnu song: Celestial Terrestrial Commuters. This is certainly 9/8.

[tonesbe]

robertsmith-you are a pussy and an asshole-yer a fucking moron too

[Zappacho]

Well, this is jazz rock. Too sad you don't know the little difference.

[kalelio13]

Are u a professional asshole?? Or just a gifted moron??

This is too fucking awesome music for most of you cunts

[psychedelic95]

Be quiet, you don't know what your saying, I love jazz and i coincidentaly love the cure (who's frontman is robert smith) Rather than say what music you don't like... why not go on to music that you do like and look at the positives. if you don't like jazz and the cure, then ignore it.

[pykowrnozes]

9/8!!!

[eugenius101]

'HOWEVER, this is THE best band, and THE best song ever....how can this be?!'

Um you are a moron - ?

[Kitaroija]

Who's being the moron here...

[Metalguitar55]

This is one hell of a good song. :D

[blahman178]

When I first heard JM, it was like losing my virginity again :P jk.

[mikulasvselicha]

Billy Cobham rocks... Him and Jack Dejohnette

John Mclaughlin rocks... Him and Pat Metheny

Mahavishnu rocks... but nobody else rocks like this :-)

[truck2112yes]

I have a friend who saw them a few months before they broke up(1974) He said it was the loudest concert He ever went to.

[SephynnXx]

I just discovered this band, love the guitarist. I had a guy compare my playing to this band's guitarist,checked it out, love the playing, love the instrumentation. Kickass Fusion Prog.....

[tluckbrown]

John McLaughlin and the fellas. Can you believe the crap they play on the air? This piece just takes my breath away. Whatever it is they have... I want it! Just f---ing unbelievable.

[viidiot]

I am a Zeppelin fan, period. HOWEVER, this is THE best band, and THE best song ever....how can this be?!

[fhqwgads2005]

yeah i know dude! same here! look at my channel... LZ all the way... but this stuff is just mind blowing! my favorite band has just become my co-favorite band!

[DrummerTjsteen]

Can anyone here find the manuscript* for the drumset, because to be honest I have have know Idea what he is doing half the time.

[pionata]

Look on Amazon. I've teached the guitar part of this to some students, if I remember correctly the drum was notated under.

[pionata]

...Not all of it of course... It's just too crazy.

[Themdm29]

i have a video up of what he's doing...kinda.

I've since come up with a more accurate version but have no camcorder.I've never seen this an accurate drum transcription of this.

[dweky]

Mind blowing music! It freaks me out in a good way!