Tony Williams Lifetime - Dance of Maya+ (live 1970)

[GaryALucas]

Gee, do I hear a riff from The Byrd's 'Eight Miles High' here? Maybe. Roger McGuinn said that tune was inspired by a John Coltrane melody.

[Merstheman]

They are playing "Smiles and Grins" here, too

[Deaconblue2u]

I never saw Life Time live but did see the soon to come Mahavishnu Orchestra live many times. There first two albums changed my ears and way I played the guitar forever, I have marveled at them, no other ban eclipsed them. I was amazed to see that Dance of Maya probably my favorite MO song had its birth with Life Time and has lyrics and Jack Bruce who is major talent and yet all you ever hear about is, Clapton, who sorry plays the same old sh-t licks, he needs to listen to JML to get some chops!

[Deaconblue2u]

I think you have it all wrong, JML was serious musician dropping acid before playing a show would be like suicide it just don't go that way, believe me I know. Life Time was JML's cutting of his teeth for the The Mahavishnu Orchestra just as playing with Miles was his paying his dues, Miles was mercilous to play with moody, Tony Williams was like the ghost of Cobham to come, funny how talented Jack Bruce is and yet all you hear about is Clapton. Wow I did not know Dance of Maya lived before MO

[jlmpeace27]

cant wait to see the tony williams tribute band...rip tony

[soctrang]

I was 19 or so when I encountered Tony Williams lifetime. A friend of mine had a brother that was an JML addict and a great guitarrist. He had the records Vol1 and Vol 2 with Tony Williams Lifetime. After that I looked for the records on all continents for two decades (no kidding) and finally I found them by coincidence in Stockholm at a local used record dealer. Both albums stood exposed in the beginning of the trays in the jazz section. There must be a good out there ;-)

[mloaks]

@soctrang

there is, and He gave us MUSIC!!!

[soctrang]

Yes JML was on Acid and it sounds like Devotion as one comment says. I was 19 or so when I first heard Tony Williams Lifetime and this was Vol1 and Vol1 albums. I looked for thoose albums in in used records shops all over the world for 20 years (no kidding) and finally I got hold on them locally by coincidence in Stockholm where I live. I haven't been able to digitalize them yet but will do it eventually.

[mrprogjazzgto]

WOW.. this is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO RARE..!!

Thank you for posting..!!

[justinnscanlon]

The lyrics are Smiles and Grins featured on the Jack Bruce Harmony Row Album.

[clarkewi]

Wow. This is a monster.

[fredg136]

I saw Lifetime on this tour at the Dagenham Roundhouse and the Marquee, as others mention they were awesome and the best I have ever seen; in Composing Myself Jack Bruce rates the MArquee gig as amongst his best. I heard at the time that they were recording the tour for a live album, but only heard one track on Napster. Was this true? Tony Williams was the best drummer I ever saw and this was a jamming band. The opening section is Smiles and Grins

[mentorsickie]

The melody / RIFF that starts around @ 2:14 sounds like something off of Mclaughlin's 1st(?) record "DEVOTION".

Was he an ACID freak?

[leeinbgky]

Hearing that theme played on organ is just SPOOKY.

[nouveaudjango]

Brilliant.

[ak47mustang]

Can anyone actually make out the lyrics?

[drdivine44]

I've been playing this tune for 35 years and never knew there were (albeit unintelligible) lyrics! Hilarious!

[microdot]

Great! I saw this version of Lifetime in Toledo, Ohio in what I thought was their first US appearance. Bruce had sheet music on the floor and a clear lucite bass.

They cleared the room in minutes and me and my friends almost had a private concert.

Absoluteky brilliant, I suddenly loved music again!

[DaDa2Phlux]

@microdot That clear lucite bass was a Dan Amstrong Ampeg - the one he used in spring of 70 when he toured with Larry Coryell & Mitchell,Mike Mandell.They were flawless.

[microdot]

@DaDa2Phlux Thank you for the info...I knew that in the back of my brain, but it's been a long time. Bruce inspired me to start playing bass. It would have been wild have owned one of this armstrong basses.

[DaDa2Phlux]

@microdot I'm not really sure ,but at risk of getting stepped on by an actual owner -i've heard they are not without their issues,weight,balance,equaliza­tion or not etc.But Bruce was truly perfect with his that night.They played nothing but Cream (Coryell,Mitch Mitchell,Mike Mandell)saving the more abstract for another time- giving his fans what they'd been hoping for..

[GeoStratocaster]

I was at the next gig after this one, in Glasgow and it sounded a lot better than this recording would suggest.

They were pretty amazing back then.

[pbanders]

That's interesting to hear there was clearly a pre-MO version of this piece. If you have John's "Devotion" album, you'll also hear that one of the pieces (can't remember offhand) quotes the beginning of "One Word" (from BoF) note-for-note. It's interesting to see the seed for these pieces goes back much further than the founding of MO.

[nrobnas43]

I found a vinyl LP in great condition Tony Williams Lifetime, album is called "Turn it Over". It has Jack Bruce, John Mclaughlin, and Khalid Yasin( Larry Young). I live in Germany and I found it in a record store, used, but in great condition. Tony was my neighbor when I was young and I cut his weeds once, but at that time I had no idea how great of a drummer he was. I remember hearing him practice. Truly amazing!

[Reinisen]

"Smiles and Grins" yes.

[ThreeLeggedMongoose]

so, was dance of maya not written by john then?

[XanAxDdu]

Lifetime at the time was: John McLaughlin, Tony Williams, Jack Bruce and Larry Young

[arschpirate]

Aewsome. Just awesom.

[mloaks]

riff at 1:20; omg

[boogster123321]

where did you find the pictures?!?! they are insane

[swckswck]

Thanks for making this available!

[avs002]

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Jimmy Page praises JML in my latest video: "Jimmy Page 1972 audio: Evolution of Modern Guitar"!

[GaryALucas]

@avs002 Personally, I picked up a distinct Mahavishnu influence in 'Houses of the Holy'. Led Zeppelin were already pretty tight, but they picked it top a notch there. Plus Page using the double neck guitar.

[GaryALucas]

@GaryALucas I remember Robert Fripp interviewing John McLaughlin in Musician magazine 80ish, I forget exactly when. Fripp said he avoided listening to Mahavishnu as much as possible as he didn't want to be too influenced by it. But Bruford was influenced by Billy Cobham to an extent so he couldn't really avoid it. It was just like Hendrix a few years before, it really influenced everybody.

[Robokiller80]

I hear me some "smiles and grins"

[snubbs741]

wait...... jack bruce?

nice

[avs002]

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi, everybody!

There's now plenty of background info about this piece - thanks to great comments from eveyone, including the original taper.

And click the "avs002" link/s to see what's currently going on around here, video-wise.

[groovebassist]

This start with Smiles and Grins , a Jack Bruce song. The parts with the singing in the beginning at least. Would be great to have more live stuff from these guys

[hudsonjim]

Saw these guys when they first got together in a smallish venue (UMIST?) Manchester Uni. They were touted as one of the loudest bands around. Fantastic gig. Had hearing deficit for 2 days and had a high pitched note in background for 4 days. McLaughlin was absolutely phenomenal.

[railcar123]

Lots of great pictures!

[Frisbieinstein]

That singing is truly bizarre.

[ambientgreg]

This is creepy sounding...is it just me???

[weewilly49]

Guaranteed, that is exactly the response they're looking for. A kind of 'gut punch of reality '. strangely, still relevent today.

[monty70]

I gather that the original lineup (69) and the quartet (70) have three or four boots from these years. Live at the village gate 1969, two shows from a new york club called Unganos and this recording from the UK. The village gate show may be soundboard, but the others are all audience recordings, as this recording is pretty good considering the time period.

Any other live material from this band (1969/1970) would be a dream to hear! They really were the best that fusion had to offer.

[bedpotato]

Very cool. Cobham is a monster, but Tony had the most soul by far.

[capmkrob]

Around 2:55 you get some Devotion riffing also! This rules!

[avs002]

..and WHAT a version!

[jsilence418]

Just got the LIFETIME' Emergency' album, this is most welcome. thank you.

[avs002]

Don't forget "(turn it over)", too!

To Whom It May Conern... play VERY loud!

[geoffnicholson999]

Yes indeed - I saw LIfetime at the Sheffield City Hall at pretty much this time - and my reaction was "What the f*** is that noise?" - That's been the standard by which I've judged great music ever since

[avs002]

You know, I AM envious... and sort of glad to be some years down from the people who'd like this most. I must have "old" ears.

[ljtate]

All right!! I have never heard any live music from this incredible band. They were incredible as a three piece, then they picked up Bruce on bass and vocals. Not a bad addition there.

[SaKaLa311]

starts off with 'smiles and grins' from jack bruce's 'harmony row'. the last few minutes with Maya which Jack is singing which is a staggering feat as he's playing bass as well.

[guilbert53]

I went to see Lifetime in 1970 with this line up (Shaftsbury Theatre London ?), mainly because I was a fan of Cream and wanted to see Jack Bruce.

Tony Williams had the smallest drum kit I had ever seen (I was used to rock band kits).

But he was STAGGERING.

He used every bit of the kit and has hand and wrist movement were amazing.

He really blew me away with how good he was, shame he died so young.

[fredg136]

Hi Guilbert, absolutely agree with what you say. I saw Lifetime at the Marquee in London on that tour. They played Dagenham Roundhouse a couple of days before and blew me away so I just had to see them again. Apparently the English tour was being recorded for a live album but not released coz of Stigwood (?) That stuff must be available? Agree with Geoff Nichols, best band I ever heard.

[Mortslake]

oh, what a thing if jimi hadnt died and Tony and Jack bruce and him would have started their project..my oh my..

[theman2890]

why would you replace john with jimi?

[Mortslake]

Because that was the plan, according to jack..

[dorian411]

well, Jimi would have to stop taking acid to be on par with tony.

[LBW999]

And you think John wasn't dropping lsd like it were his last days alive?

[mario21128]

haha thats the thing, john was constantly high

[avs002]

That's a point. I wish I could the lowdown on John's erm... consumption. I just heard a story of him falling off-stage once.

There's video of John even with Shakti.. and he looks and sounds "fully loaded".

[BearMan258]

Thank you, I missed this band being in SF on the west coast of the states as they never made it out. The music is really Devotion, Dance of Maya and some. The Tony Williams Lifetime TRAIL BLAZING FUSION 1969-1970! I will look for more of this music which is harder and freeer than most Lifetime and Mahavishnu Orchestra recorded in this period.

Next Time!

[avs002]

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks!

I've got BIG (but shaky) hopes for the Corea McLaughlin Colautta (sp?) Quintet - having tickets for Sydney Opera House next Feb (notorious for sound problems).

That is, Austalia having missed BOTH the 4th Dimension AND Return To Forever tours in 2008. Shame, fellas!

[shinkongo]

John & Chick's Five Peace band was good man I saw them recently in London. Good that you have the tickets already.

[avs002]

Hey, finally saw them last Saturday. Brilliant!

Lasting memories, too (thanks to Mr. MiniDisc).

[shinkongo]

Great, so it's recorded huh? I didn't get chance to! Did they do IASW/IATT as encore?

[avs002]

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Check my NEW video (VERY proud of it - real VIDEO too!!):

"Mahavishnu Orchestra - Earliest Live Recording".

[Carlito1988]

That is a LOT of talent on stage!!! Shame today there is so little audio & video preserved from the glory days of the beginning of fusion jazz (using that term loosely)

[Ottodunlink]

Hi There

This is part of my remastered concert from Newcastle City Hall Nov 1970. It's cropping up all over the place and certain unscrupulous individuals are now trying to sell it. What a shame :-(

The Lifetime broke up really because of contractual problems between Tony's management and Jack Bruce's. When they toured UK in 1970 they were billed as 'JACK BRUCE with the Tony Williams Lifetime" you can imagine how this must have dented the drummers massive ego.

Marco 13

[avs002]

BRILLIANT! Many thanks!!!

I'm not even telling people where to get these things online (in high quality) - just to try and keep things under control.

[avs002]

The irony being that, like the band itself, the music in this suite "broke up".

Imagine... if, after The Beatles broke up, John and Paul performed (only) their respective songs from the side 2 medley on Abbey Road.

[VIDJACK]

extraordinary recording with great rare photos. I had tickets to see these guys in Brooklyn but they cancelled the gig at the very last minute and then apparently broke up shortly thereafter. This is really the first jazz/rock fusion band and deserves better recognition. And btw, this song is really mostly Jack's composition, Smiles and Grins.

[avs002]

Thanks hugely, but hold on...

Though some could argue it's mostly "Devotion", what I WONDER is whether this was originally one long suite (as played).

Which it appears to be.

[pgonzo98]

incredible!!!!

[avs002]

AUTHOR's NOTE:

CONGRATULATIONS! This is now my most watched - and most rated - video!!!

NOW, I've got plenty of OTHERS! Just click the name-link (next to my photo above) to see them.

[ssorva]

this aint only dance of maya, but a mix of many of compositions that each one of them developed latter on in their career, no doubt about mclaughlin's devotion, from 2:30 to 5:10, and some more

[avs002]

Gee.. really??? ;)

[avs002]

Does anyone here know more about how Lifetime broke up? It's bugging me.

[LasColinasMusic]

That's what I'm talkin about!

Scorch

[avs002]

I mean, there's an obvious potential for "supergroup syndrome" to set in (and how!).

[Suejennyhart]

I remember seeing this band at the Royal Court Theatre in London. Incredibly loud. Incredibly amazing.My life has never been the same since Tony Williams and john's Mahavishnu. Simply mind blowing stuff.

[clarkewi]

I saw them in LA summer of 1969. My drum teacher made me go. I'd never heard of Tony Williams before that. I was sitting about 5 feet away from his set. I have never seen a high hat go that fast. Or single stroke rolls that fast. I had no idea what McLaughlin was doing. I was focusing on the drums. I could tell I was in the presence of greatness.

[proferic]

Thanks for posting this!

[janeythebrit]

oi , hang about...they are playing SMILES AND GRINS !!!! from Jack's 'Harmony Row .....cooooooooollllllll

[proferic]

Hi Janie!!!!!! It's great to find little jems of Jack like this!!

[dimebag983]

I think I heard parts of "Devotion" leading into it... man, Johnny Mac is one of the best

[jayscott49]

Always wanted to hear more of this lineup! Can't thank you enough for posting. Some of the most brilliant music ever played.

[avs002]

You know, I agree. There's something in this band - I can't even name it. It's lost now. I guess "mind-music" is close.

It basically split into Fusion and Prog. Then it became technical and flashy. And everyone mistook the wood for the trees.

I mean, the musos didn't care - they knew it was all about feeling. Return To Forever and Yes, for example, were mutual fans.

And, once the music industry corporate heads got into it all, well...

Which is why I do I what I do, musically.

[jayscott49]

i know what you mean, the soul of Coltrane is present here, but later things became more 'athletic' for lack of a better word, less expressive and more facile, though still impressive.

the spirit of this band has more in common, for me, to 'Circle' than 'Return to Forever', but i agree.

again, THANKS SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS! IT'S INCREDIBLE! ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ON ALL OF YOUTUBE!

[janeythebrit]

they wanted to get 'high' on music - pure free go-where-ye-want-to-go music ....u have to know yer instrument inside and out , understand the structure of music fully before ye can let go freely like this !!!....it's so bloody confident that it scares the shit outta me (i play violin- classical is very structured..THIS is the frickin opposite!) hats off to them...

[davidfhayes]

The classic Maya riff kicks in at 6:30 . . . I would love to know what the vocals were! The intervals here seemed to reflect Robert Fripp's legato guitar style and King Crimson's characteristic "sense of foreboding doom" mode, or even derived from the theremin-driven soundtracks of 1950's science fiction films. Excellent!

[Uxeexn]

The first 6 minutes is an early version of the Jack Bruce song "Smiles And Grins" from the album "Harmony Row" first released 1971

[avs002]

Wow - thanks! I'm always glad for extra information.

And, not forgetting (as I did) that chunk of "Devotion" (the start/end theme) from John's album of the same name.

[avs002]

Thanks! PLEASE rate it, viewers!!!

[gooneybird47]

THANK U for posting this...this is my favorite Tony period..his original Lifetime. Please,if u or anyone else has anymore of this stuff PLEASE post it. THANX !!

[BongoMadness]

Brilliant,priceless stuff,never heard this version before.Thanks avs..peace

[stringrip]

That jazzfusion(dot)tv site also has great audio recordings of Tony Williams New Lifetime (with Allan Holdsworth) in 1976 .

[mariotelaro]

dude... thnx so much for posting that.... i checked it out and its such a gem