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From: nyakuti5
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  • THAT GUITAR!

  • its gets much better after the 2 min mark, and his guitar inlays are beautiiful!!

  • Is this Hymn To Him?

  • Wow seldom hear a cymbal solo. I was expecting much more from John McLaughlin. I am actually kind of disappointed here.

  • what is the song name, is a song?, or just a amazing improvisation?

  • “When I hear new music coming into my head, its mission is integrated into its notes. It basically tells me how it wants to be.” – John McLaughlin. From Page 1 of the book “Follow Your Heart – John McLaughlin song by song.”

  • Where the hell is Cobham!? Please bring him back

  • i'll always thinik that john is faster than larry coryell :)/ but then i am fucking high right now :)

  • art is doing the impossible. that´s all . and that´s all these cats are doing. now shut up all ur fkkn airhead comments and contention already?

  • Hendrix could have been like if he stay off getting high.

  • THESE CATS ARE SO FKIN HEAVY,,DAMMMM

  • 11 people are jealous of these masters!

  • Probably if we talk to John about the speedness on guitar mentioning the fastest metal shredders, he doesn't listen to us. But it's undeniable that he's becomed a guitar's god essentially for its speedness.

  • @1974romina John has always played jazz, he played a bit of rock just to mess with it, but he was like Les Paul who was a jazz player hence his speed, in general, jazz guitarists play so much faster so much clearer than rock shredders. You may or may not agree. I've seen too many of their shows. Rock guitarists do want to play like John does, practice, practice, practice. Cheers.

  • this guy is on a whole different level. I don't like the rock. I am a swing guy, rock beats generally make me feel sick, I know that's weird, but when you get so used to the soulful peaceful swing, the rock is strange on the soul. Heck of a musician, and he radiates in what he is saying.

  • Love Gayle Moran in this band. Always looks so serene and beautiful playing this difficult but brilliant music. Uber cool.

  • Music for musicians. SAw him live at Jazz Alley in seattle in december and it is just unbelievable how he still manages to stay original throughout the years. May he never be forgotten

  • Hello Narada.......

  • Wow, one of the best videos of a Johnny solo I've seen on YouTube (and I seen many). I would really like to see some photage from the Santana Machlaughlin - Devotion tour.

  • i can understand how people could not like this, but i hate people who try to convince me that that means it's bad.

    this is good music.

  • I can't see his fingers! Ha Ha Ha Ha!

  • what brand is mclaughlins guitar

  • @TrueDarkLink Rex Bogue Double Rainbow 6/12 double-neck; made by Larel Rexford Bogue.

  • Too much bad Kharma on youtube and nasty comments...now, now settle down children and find the Third Eye....think of tranquil waters..Ommm...

  • Mac Attack !!! Go, Johnny, Go ! Narada rips also, duh.

  • This is like being on acid. Theres weird sounds and then all of the sudden there are some violin people there. I think I'm having a relapse ha ha :(

  • Just plain sick! Shredtastic!

  • did these freaks ever had a reunion?the violin in that time and space sounds like seaguls in the sky.

  • Uuuuuuuuuaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuu!!!!­!!! GREAT!

  • JM i love his guitar tone his composition... he just dont weeeeedeeeeellleeee

    weeedeeeeellleeeeeee.........h­es playing is always edgy.(not that U2 edge) :)

  • Now I know where St Sanders got his inspiration!

  • THUMBS UP FOR MCLAUGHLIN!!!!!!

  • The original "shredder"!!!

  • lol that last post waz excellent :)

    peace

    kevinmt

    *_*

  • I used to be really into all of McLaughlin's work back in the '70's and '80's and today I still enjoy My Goals Beyond and Extrapolation. Yes, this is emotionally intense, much in the same way shredding is intense (albeit technically more proficient) but I don't sense any emotional depth. I feel much in the same way about Love, Devotion, and Surrender compared to the spiritual depth of Coltrane's Love Supreme. Just my impression, for what it's worth. Apparently others would vehemently disagree.

  • My heroes!! It doesn't get any better than this!

  • I like this team and LP "Vision of the Emerald Beyonce". His music have timeless quality.

  • @godles45 I think Beyonce was yet to be born when Visions came out.

  • @Gregorypeckory Beyond. Sorry, my mistake.

  • @godles45 Just busting your chops-I found it funny-sorry.

  • I love the look on the kid violinists face at 4:30.

  • @AllStarBugler

    "No Mr Mclaughlin, don't kill us all with mighty shred!"

  • they are true music legends but to be honest back then they had horibble tone well atleast guitars did. it may just be my opinion but idk just some lines that john plays are awesome but they sound out of tamber if that makes any sense at all. i feel like if he had a much fuller tone and less treble it would be much more intense, but thats just an opinion, i guess back then thats what was around so idk

  • Jean-Luc Ponty is more well known but I've always preferred Jerry Goodman!

  • n2oh84oiulwqd7hu298o jao9fd82h 48r7yofla8j;09r ;97fj9o83 ythf7i8wjd.fih jo83i7r5 holo38e jdl.elig8ufpj 2o3l8toik ;9pqro8i 3pofikjef ilu39082oir ejqoiflu34og 9ilyhg[e'23p9toi jpkoyir

  • Allen Holdsworth? more emotion than John? I got one of Holdsworth's albums a long time ago because he was supposed to be fast. One of the most boring things I ever heard. Mahavishnu bristles with intensity.  I mean, did you really listen to this piece?

  • Well first off you bought it for the wrong reason. FAST? Hell you should have bought a Yngwie album.....

  • the string section of this band was ridiculous, i saw them live several times, what a joke. they were not in the same league as ponty jm, walden, and were almost comical. this really detracted from this band approaching the first MO

  • The string section was just playing the orchestrations as written and back then the PA monitor systems weren't as good as they are today.... For a band to play this type of music at the volume levels, they needed a better monitor system, which the first incarnation needed... Either way you look at it, Mahavishnu was the best of the best. Noone could match their skills or intensity.

  • The "principal" violinist in the string section was Steven Kindler, who's on Jan Hammer's "The First Seven Days" and then became a member of the Jan's group, and is ALL OVER the "Oh, Yeah" recording. Amazing player!!!

    He WAS a Fantastic Player

  • thats Billy C standing up in the front row there, standing up to send secret telepathic commands to the drummer

  • 6:19 epic cerebral feelings

  • rofl

  • lol

  • Hendrix was great, but he played blues. Mclaughlin was around playing like this before Hendrix was famous, in Miles Davis's band. McLaughlin doesn't owe a dam thing to hendrix. Hendrix got most his licks, by his own admission, from Buddy Guy.

  • actually mclaughlin wasnt playing with davis before hendrix was famous.he didnt play with davis until 1969 and davis admitted being influenced by hendrix at that time.

  • Interesting.

  • Mahavishnu! Mahavishnu! Mahavishnu! Thought i'd put a "video response", as i just uploaded a home vid track i made (yes yes, i know), and thought it may make sense to link to things i love. so... there it is. zoink

  • id have a hard time telling what fret im on with that guitar

  • that guitar is gorgeous. and waht a friggin' guitar god. a living legend. and proof that anyone can play a vicous guitar with some brains but a lot of hard work. and a little indian spirituality and religion. better than the religions that are pure propaganda and bullshit. hooray white people!

  • 3:00 how does he do that!

    haha its insane

  • damn straight. greatest guitarist ever. good thing he's still alive. maybe jimi and stevie could have used some hinduism. lol

  • You actually think Jimi couldn't have played stuff like this?

  • no i dont, not jimi's style

    personally i think john is on another planet than any other guitar player, jimi is on mars, john is on saturn.

    im not disgracclg jimi at all, i just think john is at a higher level of playing, but not by much, give credit to hendrix, mclaughlin would't be playing like this if it wasnt for jimi

  • Jimi was Great!!, created a whole new style of rock guitar. But technically Johnny is GOD, he is what every musician aspires to be

  • I'd personally rather be a GOD with more emotion than John. John's fine but there are cats that are far more interesting IMO. For me i'd much rather listen to Holdsworth..

  • p-lick, I have to aghree with mario. Hendrix was fantastic --he struck fear and envy in the hearts of all the English blues guitarists (ask Pete Townsend about a conversation on this with Clapton). But, he was NO where near the technical level of JM. There were just too many drugs in Jimi's system. Hendrix was about the sound, the act, the vibe and era. The best blues-rock player evr.

  • @dorian411 Well that's your opinion stick to it. I'm certainly sticking to mine......

  • Dorian411...Saying there were "too many drugs in Jimi's system" to play at JM level is a silly comment. Jimi was a master improviser in HIS way just as JM is. They may be different....different level of musical harmony....but to say Jimi didnt play like JM because of drugs is silly.

  • LOL HENDRIX PLAY THIS?? I absolutely LOVE his music, but really that's just hilarious. He was totally different, aiming more for sound than virtuosity. I loved his writing, but personally I can't say I was in love with his lead work...his solos in Woodstock were rather choppy...

  • @goldenchopsticks In my opinion he could have played it. I like JM but his shit just ain't memorable for me. I'd rather listen to Shawn Lane......

  • One Word, Noonward Race, Meeting of the Spirits, Cosmic Strut, Lila's Dance, Dance of Maya, Birds of Fire, Miles Beyond, NOT MEMORABLE? Ok if you think so...

  • whats wrong with shawn lane?

  • @young0wylde0child What do you mean whats wrong with him? Nothing that i know of..

  • @Peelick well besides the fact that hes dead, but idk it just seemed like you were dissing shawn but now that i re read the comment i realize you werent. i just glanced at it and read "id rather listen to shawn lane" and since this massive group of comments is people trashing one another i ended up reading it like an insult...lol my b

  • @jamo387 Haha, listen to Hendrix solo live. I love him, but he sounds like a kid from guitar center sometimes, scratchy accidental notes here and there and out of tune. Me? Pompous? You are the one looking down on the band that has had a history of virtuosi in it. Are you saying you can match John McLaughlin or Billy Cobham or Jan Hammer? And just because I prefer this over Hendrix on a messy day doesn't mean im emotionally retarded. You're either ER or have never jammed in your life.

  • Uh, yeah...it does mean you're emotionally retarded. I think the only thing you've "jammed" is your middle finger up your ass. Probably did it while jacking off to a Jan Hammer poster. Maybe you were listening to his Miami Vice theme at the time. Yeah man, deeply emotional music... Oh and Ha ha again...you pillow biter !

  • Yeah you are obviously not a musician, so fuck off. You don't know what it means to communicate using a language without words like Mahavishnu Orchestra does. Get educated fucking loser.

  • Wow, you're so deep. A language without words... Man, everybody wants to be you now. You're obviously very special. No Ha Ha this time? Getting cranky?

  • @Peelick

    nope, too technically sound for him to. but then again, maybe he could have, but my feeling is that he couldn't when he died. he had a lot more to go, but no discipline. heck, he had no discipline in staying alive.

  • @maddsri People kill me when they answer a comment a year after its been wrote. Dude i don't even know what you're talking about..

  • He looks like he enjoys playing the guitar sooo much. As much as I enjoy listening to it.

  • Comment removed

  • really strong. i liked it

  • I saw them play this live in 75 and all kinds of other stuff. Completely blew me away, Had forgotten how good they were till I stumbled onto this. Ho Hum-each to his own I suppose.

  • Raw emotion.

  • you guys make me laugh having an argument online i mean come on just watch the song and enjoy it or if you dislike it THEN DONT WATCH IT! simple :)

  • @KyleSchamel1 make you Mc- laugh?

  • That's JM's famous custom doubleneck made for him by Rex Bogue, who also worked on Zappa's guitars. According to McLaughlin, it fell over and cracked after he propped it up on a bench. The story's moral: Always buy a custom guitar stand to go with your custom doubleneck!

  • no wonder i always think they have similar tone

  • you probably think that there is good music on the fm dial......

  • You do realize that there are different FM stations depending on where you live, right ?

  • No sorry ,.I did not mean to mark as spam,.a mistake.,

    VERY GOOD POINT! always BUILD a custom guitar stand for one-offs..

    I met John in Miami last nite,.Amazing new music,.

  • well it's no mudvayne, that's for sure. But it will still be respected and sought after in another hundred years.

  • Whoa, now saying this sounds like shit is fine, your opinion... but the whole escape route comment is fucking retarded... just because styles of music like this aren't popular doesn't mean that the musicians playing it would rather be playing some shit that gets on the radio... they play this because it's the kind of music they like playing. Goddamn.

  • Not many people buy it because not many people are this far into music. Now here's the thing, John McLaughlin might not be as good at writing pop songs as John Lennon, but John Lennon would never have been able to pull off what JM does, and by the way MO has more composed, catchy stuff than this, this is one of their looser jams that I've seen.

    And it's more than "finger exercises", you're just showing your ignorance toward the appeal of this type of music.

    continued...

  • As far as Led Zeppelin, I can see why they appeal to a lot of people. They used to be my favorite band ever, but as I got more into music I realized that musically they aren't very good. I started listening to more Miles, MO, and classical etc... but most people won't because they don't care about the music, it's mostly about image for most people... but this gets into a whole nother argument. Anyway, I hope you see my point.

  • Of course I'm not joking, you implying that I'm joking shows that you're the snob here. You for some reason think that John Lennon (or Zep which ever) is this objective high mark for music, but that's because you value a good pop song over a good jazz improv. You sound like every ignorant mainstreamer I've ever met. I'll leave you with a quote, "The people who know the least about art seem to have the strongest opinions about it"... Hence all the worship of bands like Zep and The Beatles.

  • ... and I don't think I'm special for liking this, I just like it. I never said it makes me sophisticated, so who's really being a snob here dude, I'd say the guy saying shit like, "junior" to a guy just because he's younger and "back benchers" about a band just because they aren't as popular. Popularity does not = good. By that logic, Miley Cyrus is one of the most talented artists of today.

  • I didn't know you were younger but that doesn't surprise me.

    From your response: "I realized that musically they aren't very good" (referring to Zep) and "they don't care about the music, it's mostly about image for most people..."

    You continue: "The people who know the least about art seem to have the strongest opinions about it".

    Sounds like you're arguing with yourself. When you decide whether you're an idiot or not, you can start to talk to others. In this way you will grow. Good Luck!

  • You're a fucking retard. That didn't respond to anything I said. It's not like this in every case but you happen to fit the role of pop music fan who is way cuntier about his music than the guy who listens to more art forms of music. Hence that quote, which you've conformed perfectly to.

  • What's ironic is that you fail ro realize you sound like an enormous music snob. You generalized him, attacked the motives for his personal taste in music, called him "junior to" to establish youre his superior, cut down a band for doing their thing. Maybe if you stop working out your finger exercizes on a keyboard and do some shit on a fretboard you can communicate your superior understanding of music in form thereof.

    Lennon was great but its been like 40 years get off his dick.

  • I guess you must be blowing the "KingCrimson776" guy? Will he rub you down with oil tonight for defending his honor?

  • Ha Ha LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Hahaha jamo387 just shut up, you don't know anything. If you can't appreciate chaotic, intense, emotional jams such as this, then get off the page, no one wants you and your shitty opinion here.

  • Ahhh go f*ck yourself you tone deaf a**hole. If this is an emotional jam to you, you've got bigger problems than the youtube comment section. and ha ha ha right back atcha dumbass.

  • @jamo387 Haha you're emotionally retarded, its ok. The only music you probably see emotion in is fucking emo or alternative garbage. GET OFF THE PAGE. NO ONE WANTS YOU HERE.

  • Yea you're right, that's a pretty STUPID comparison..........

  • you're an idiot. Its not about fast. Listen to some indian music and you will better understand where he's coming from.

  • When did Billy Cobham leave? Why isnt he in the group here?

  • amazing..i wish i could have seen this live!!!!

  • God How I hate drummers who play Jazz/Rock using Traditional grip!

  • You mean like Vinnie Coliautta, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, Michael Walden (above) etc etc etc. You are a tool dude!

  • yeah you "hate"...?

    nice statement there eh.

  • you are stupid.....its your parents fault

  • Hold it. Is that you John McLaughlin?

  • *bows so low my nose scrapes the ground*

  • great... John Mclaughlin...

  • I liked the first M.O. better. Walden is good, but not as good as Cobham.

  • It is such an unnecesary mistake to even compare the two. I just listen to them as two different groups like listening to Shakti. It was a bold move for JM to make each of those changes and each time he was able to do it not by sounding like he was just trying to make a change but like he was actually able to have a new vision of what he wanted next. BTW I have purchased from vinyl to CD both drummer's solo efforts and I have no problem enjoying every note. Of course I'm just a guitarist...

  • now that is music....

  • Ralph Armstrong is one of my favorite bassists.

  • yea, i like him better than rick, not that rick wasnt good.

  • Walden is an incredible drummer.

  • 1st version of the band was much better 3***

  • more cowbell please

  • All of you wannabe critics make me wanna puke. Why don't you join all of the other talentless critic wannabes for an ass-fucking party? people like you detract from an otherwise excellent site

  • This comments a joke right?

  • sick

  • music so music

  • MAESTRO ...

    QUE MAS SE PUEDE DECIR ...

  • In 1974, it was Mark Bowden, author of Blackhawk Down, who told me to listen to John Mclaughlin. Mark was always into the progressive and keeping his ear into everything. Mark liked to get high and get in tune with the world.

  • I tried to post a comment but it's not showing. I am trying again. I posted the first video by mistake, forgot to select the right one, the second one is of Mahavishnu, it actually might be a fun thing to compare the same siger in two very different stages of his career. The second video is of him in English with Mahavishnu.

  • What song is this called. im just geeting into mahavishnu orchestra! Thanxs!

  • You could do far worse than get into Mahavishnu! Well done. There's a whole planet of music for you to discover. If you haven't got it already, I strongly recommend 'Between Nothingness and Eternity', recorded live in Central Park, NYNY. John was so 'on' it defies belief. Best wishes. Barnape.

  • Pastoral from the Visions album.

    and man, once you get into Mr. Page and John Mclaughlin, you're pretty much set.

  • Narada is the baddest MF on the planet.  No one played funk fusion better than him.

  • I agree, and I think we are not in the majority. The way he makes odd time swing like he does.

    I wouldn't say he is 'better' than Billy. At that level it really comes down to taste. But for me he is unparalleled

  • I dont know why but...it aways seems to me that the original line up with jerry goodman was incomparable, even though i'm a huge fan of Ponty and Armstrong.

  • This video has been taken from the Eagle Vision " Mahavishnu Live At Montreux " 2 dvd set. On the dvd of this line up you only get "Wings of Karma " and "Hymn to Him" with visual footage . The other 4 numbers - "Vision is naked sword" , "Power of Love" , "Smile of the Beyond" and "Dawn" (mis-labelled as "Sactuary" ), there is only audio with picture of solar eclipse as screen saver . No explanation given for missing footage.

  • I must add that it was "Visions Of The Emerald Beyond" that first got me into Mahavishnu Orchestra,& is still one of my all time favourite albums,which showcases this Mk.II line-up.(Narada Michael Walden in particular was an influence on my own playing technique.)But I agree that both line-ups were completely amazing,and totally inspiring.

  • RE# bareyfurlong . Since Visions of Emerald beyond is favourite album for you , you may be interested to hear that band playing live versions of those songs in 1975 just before that line up broke up. Go to website JAZZFUSION(dot)TV , click onto AUDIO BOOTLEGS and scroll down list of concerts to find MAHAVISHNU STOCKHOLM 1975CONCERT . They do a great version of "Cosmic strut" on that .

  • Yeah i agree there's something about the VOTEB album that got me hooked too. As a drummer as well, hearing Narada (he was like 22 at the time!!!) blast through each track just blew my mind. Would love to see a live version of Cosmic Strut. Is there one around???

  • The opening track just cuts your fucking knees away. His drumming is filth on that. I love the basic guitar riff on that track.

  • Billy Cobham was in Adelaide last month performing 'A Tribute to Mahavishnu Orchestra' with his Septet & the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (Frank Gambale filled in for McLaughlin).They certainly paid justice! The liner notes in "The Lost Trident Sessions" CD should clarify the writing process of Mahavishnu Mk.I.Interesting about Jaco,but he & McLaughlin did Trio Of Doom a couple of years after this with Tony Williams.Also,everybody seems to forget about Mahavishnu Orchestra Mk.III from '84!

  • That's cos we try hard to forget. By some way the worst thing he ever did. The guitar sound is offensive.

  • Yes Rick Laird contributed very nicely to MO - absolutely no doubt about that! He was a real player for sure. I suppose the point Im making though is that Laird was good but Ralphe was an absolute monster. Even Jaco admitted he couldnt get the MO gig because Ralphe had it nailed so well! Check out some of Ralphes playing, particularly his solos, with Jean luc ponty - awesome stuff!

  • From what I read , John said in 1975 Jaco turned up and asked if he could jam with MO while they were rehearsing . John said it was great , but told Jaco "we already have a great bass player " . Agreed about Armstrong , but prefer not to compare . they are both gteat bass players.

  • Another point about Rick Laird . Stanley Clarke in recent interview was asked if he would have liked to have been in MO . He said no but he loved listening to them . Besides he added "they had wonderful bass player in Rick Laird"

  • Both line-ups of M.O. were great, the difference is that Johnny M. had more control over the second line-up. Cobham was pissed that McLaughlin wouldn't let him write anything for M.O. and that's why he left (and took J Hammer with him) and made the album "Spectrum". Check that out if your into Cobham. It also features Tommy Bolin on guitar (Zephyr, James Gang, Deep Purple) and Lee Sklar on bass (who did a bunch of studio work over the years including most of Phil Collins' solo albums).

  • What i read was that Cobham didn't try to write for MO , feeling that it wasn't right platform. Cobham didn't leave , the whole group made mutual decision to disband . Hammer was just guest on Spectrum . But both were still in MO when that was recorded.

  • You could be right. My info (impression?) came from an interview I read of Cobham probably 20 yrs ago (I think it was in Modern Drummer)where he said, and I remember this exactly, that J.M. not letting anyone write "made me rebel, and write the album that became Spectrum". I know B.C. has played plenty of times with J.M. over the years since then, so there was certainly no deep seeded hatred on either one's part.

  • Agreed, Armstrong is a great bassist - no disrespect to Laird, but he was average!

  • Oh , you are being a bit unfair to Laird . John McL went out of his way to get Rick in the band . Laird wasn't showy or upfront , he concentrated on being supportive and providing solid foundation. Very refined player , good songwiter too - tunes like "stepping stone " and "evolove" (on Jan Hammer album) were great.

  • Is this taken from the new Montreux Mahavishnu DVD ? .

  • To me Cobham/Walden and Goodman/Ponty are break evens, all great, it's Armstrong over Laird that makes the diff. Gayle Moran is married to Chick Corea and RTF is doing a reunion tour in 2008

  • Michael Walden was awesome drummer back then . I have heard of drum techers getting their students to listen to "Apocalypse" to lsten to his masterful drum work on that album. I once met a professionsl drummwe who met Walden ina club . He asked Walden where he got all those great ideas . He said Walden just smiled and gave one word answer - "feel !"

  • i preffer Jerry Goodman and Billy Cobham

  • I like cobham too, but i do like armstrong better than laird

  • RE# gleventhai. Ralph armstrong is great . Its a matter of taste , but Rick Laird was also monster bass player . Before Mahavishnu he was house bassist at Ronnie Scott's club in London playing with jazz greats . On "thousand island park " (Birds of Fire) he played superb acoustic bass . On the live version of "Noonward Race" on the MAR -Y-SOL album he played great driving bass . Altho these days he has given up music.

  • That recording changed my life as a musician. I thought, "Music like this is out there?!?"

  • re# patrissimo. If you want to hear mahavishnu concert recordings of all line ups of the band . Go to JAZZFUSIONTV (do google search to find it) , on their audio bootlegs section there are about 10 mahavishnu concerts.

  • seriously man, i totally agree....the first time i heard Mahavishnu was when i bought birds of fire....that changed music for me entirely

  • That driving bass is still running through my head after all these years.

  • A great concert.