Added: 5 years ago
From: bazonics
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  • Incredible video! A thousand thanks for posting!

  • The drummer!!! I could listen to that again.

  • scottmuda90 - The sound live was so much more dynamic. Hard to explain the difference, but the drum pickup here is fair. Someone w/the right tech gear could clean it up, but who has that kind of time. By the way, the groups that came out of the mid 69s thru early 70s were just amazing, so many talented players were able to find a spot. Believe me, they're all good, and I mean real good. Page, Clapton, JM, Santana, all the others too numerous to mention here, absolutely great. Quite an era.

  • wonder how they miked the drums...must have been very rudimentary. Still, one can make out the nuances in Cobhams playing if one listens closely.

  • Mahavishnu John Mclaughlin- incredible guitar playing, musical , technical, lightening speed.

  • "In 1970 I began to study meditation with Sri Chinmoy. I had already begun practicing Hatha Yoga several years previously, and was seeking for alternative ways of altering my state of consciousness without the use of LSD or psychedelic mushrooms. I felt that meditation would allow me this possibility." - Mr. McLaughlin

  • really and truly

  • i think page and McLaughlin would actually blend together well because of their mutual interest in Indian classical music

  • I was at this concert at Syracuse University in 1972!!!!!!!!!!! :)))))

  • @JClore1950 Right place at the right time. were you as enthusiastic then or have you realised their virtuosity even more so when you look back now? were they still as awe inspiring to all then? Or was all music back then like this? (Coming from someone born in 1990 for which this is truly a thing of wonder)

  • Cobham to McLaughlin like Jones to Coltrane,Empathising and helping to give shape,steering away from mere cerebrality to transcendental passion.What an absolutely killer band.They & Jimi Hendrix wiped out & re-wired my mind.And where is anyone like that these days?

  • i wonder what those two birds on the telephone wires were thinking ..."hey mike, this don't sound like the dogs barkin'".. and fred says," no man, it's this crazy guy from england.. now pass the joint".. and they flew away, stoned, lovin it !!.. till this day, mike and fred still talk about the good 'ol days....

  • Man, John McLaughlin just shouldn't talk...great musician, but his blend of eastern beatificness and arrogance is sure insufferable...

  • @alexdroogie100 Ha! Hilarious and true.

  • Soulive

  • This is GREAT footage! Wow. The sound is awesome, too..."recorded down a telephone..." No worries...it's nice and dry...you can hear every note!!!

    Thanks bazonics!

    It looks like it was recorded with a couple of cameras. School project or just a semi-pro bootleg job?

  • @rvwii  "you can hear every note!!!"

    that's if your ears can hear at light-speed :D

  • I was wondering, why are there so many videos of this where John doesn't play his solo? I mean, it's completely awesome...but it seems to me that he likes the other members to do most of the soloing when they play live.

  • in all of these guitarist discussions, I've noticed no homage to the great john abercrombie. My theory is that jan hammer just makes guitarist sound great... joking all of you crazy people out there hanging on every word trying to pick you tube fights, of course mclaughlin, abercrombie, dimeola, etc. are great guitarists. I just think abercrombie is a bit of an unsung hero. Jim hall is tight too.

  • @GoldyLocks397

    John Abercrobie is a great guitarist. When I saw him perfrom with Ralph Towner I was amazed. I saw him last year in DC and he rocked out the guitar. The album Timeless and Sargasso Sea are Gems.

  • The"Mahavishnu" looks like he just got off a flying saucer with those cool threads he's wearing. This is a great piece of history for me man,thnx baz....I've heard fans who were able to attend a concert by this incarnation of the Orchestra said it was as much a deep spiritual experience as just an ordinary concert.Killer line-up of musicians.1st time I saw JM was with Shakti in 77(too young in 72)and I knew then I was witnessing incredible stuff even though I was into Sabbath then.R U the one?

  • Mclaughlin can and ripped. His Odd meter still and ripps

  • Hear the humming of those amps, this must have been FUCKING loud!!

  • imho, mclaughlin is the best guitarist there ever was in terms of playing the guitar, better than any other, even hendrix. hendrix, imho, had the greatest potential but like a typical american, destroys himself before reaching full potential. mclaughlin, since hendrix's death, has taken the guitar (acoustic & electric) to riiculous levels, above & beyond hendrix, srv, page, zappa, clapton or santana. scalloped frets, diversity, and all, ask the other guitarists, they'd tell you the same.

  • @maddsri Blow me, ethno-swine. I'm a typical American and I've destroyed myself and my potential - but I'm still here trying. That's the American way. Now go help that bat-eared Brit prince institute sharia law in Great Britain and hasten the self-destruction of a once-great culture. Talk about lost potential!...

  • @beeroosterm

    my advice to you is lay off the crack. now go vote for mccain or obama. take your pick, american dumb-ass. look at what black americans did with establishing the blues, jazz and gospel and making music meaningful. then look at black and white americans did by creating rock and roll. now look at what the british did by taking that rock and roll and destroying the american's comprehension of what it could and should be. there's no denying england's music. btw, fuck jewbags.

  • Tremendo guitarra. El tema continúa, se luce Goodman.

  • From Chile: Great John & MOrch.

  • Billy Cobham. Clinic.

  • Is John tripping or something? "that inspirationed me, give us all"

  • Wow...

  • The virtuoso McLaughlin at two points in this solo is beyond extraordinary. @ 5:47 and after,  and the bars after 6:11. I have no words. I have always marvelled at his conceptions and executions.

  • WOW the best live version I've heard. Everyone is playing as if their lives depend on it.

  • 4:19 best part of the video haha. cobham's a machine

  • I saw Mahavishnu at the Santa Monica Civic in '72, maybe I was tripping, maybe not. It's like trying to remember a dream about a galaxial errand and afterwards only awe remains.

  • I wish the sound quality was a little better...

    Great performance, nonetheless.

    Why not have a guitar summit? Let's have Page, McLaughlin, DiMeola, Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, and others on the stage jamming their hearts out?

  • @SuperCartiel If you want to know why not; check out the jam from seville 92 which i'm sure is on utube. JM, Benson, Coryelle, Paco de Lucia and Stanly Clarke. Result: shite!....Jams are always shite. End of.

  • @bazonics I disagree completely. If you were listening to the Clearlight Symphony I'm listening to now, you wouldn't say that.

    Not all jam sessions are horrid.

  • @bazonics Jams are always shite? I guess you mean shit, and that is a ridiculous statement. Listen to Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, when he announces "you can leave if you want to; we're just jammin, that's all", and then proceeds to play one of the most brilliant, inspired sets in rock history. Then check out Shawn Lane jamming with Jonas Hellborg and Jeff Sipe-genius!

  • @Gregorypeckory No, I mean 'shite' a vernacular use of the word shit in the UK but that's by the by. Didn't think I had to lay it on a plate but here we go. By 'Jam' of course I don't mean Hendrix or Shawn lane and his band, that's just stupid. I mean anything involving several guitar players. It matters not whether they're all superstars or in your garage, result? A horrible mess usually.

  • @bazonics Your definition of jam is wrong. It would mean horn players couldn't jam unless multiple guitars join in. Bands jam when they play long improvised sessions with little or no preset structure. If you listen to Woodstock-you just called Hendrix stupid-he called it a jam and if it makes you more comfortable, there was another guitar player and other players he hadn't played with much, and had lengthy improv. Even by your definition it's silly to say they're always "shite".

  • @Gregorypeckory I never claimed Henrix was stupid, but I'm having doubts on you. I've noticed a lot of comments from you, and you seem to enjoy picking fights. You call a jam what you want and I'll call 'em what I want. I'm not going to say any more on this subject.

  • @bazonics Not intentionally-you said it was stupid to call his Woodstock set a jam-and he did-so I connected the dots. What can I say-I'm sick and grumpy and can't do much at the moment, so I'm replying to a lot of haters (not you) whose messages have been building up in my inbox for a few months. I didn't call you stupid though-just said your definition of "jam" was wrong-come on-you never heard of a jam session without guitars? I would agree that most guitar jams are bad though-feel better?

  • @bazonics I usually find that the terrible to, I'm glad someone said it. It's usually to bad because the people performing are actually good. But they all get muddled up having all those performers on stage, I think.

  • @Craiglend playing to me is about a certain subconscious or informal reportoire that gets made as you check out each others sounds, formal or informal, and see what you want to play. super jams aren't organized that way really. without any open-minded planning, even if they're going in with the intention of open-minded exploratory playing, the jam will be over and the audience ready to leave by the time the unique stuff starts to come, half-born. either that or blues standards like g3!

  • @SuperCartiel Because Dave Gilmore would be exposed as a faker and DiMeola would clear the room with his unpleasant overplaying...Page, McLaughlin, Beck and say maybe Santana....that would be worth hearing

  • @alexdroogie100 Gilmour a faker? NO WAY!! His solos are a perfect blend of rock and R&B, and his technique is fabulous. And as for DiMeola, he has had several sessions and albums with McLaughlin, and all were great. (Check out "Friday night in San Francisco'. It was their best work ever.)

    I do like your line-up, though. How about McLaughlin, DiMeola, Santana and Page?

  • @alexdroogie100 Gilmour is a faker? In what fucking way? He has created some of the most arstically beautiful ever. It dosn't matter if he is a virtuso or not, it's what he CREATES. I hate snobs such as yourself, I love MO and Floyd. I'll listen to birds of fire and then enjoy The Clash's London Calling. Stop limiting yourself to techinical standards. Music is an ART.

  • Thank you. You're very kind.

  • I saw the Mahavishnu on their Birds Of Fire Tour in 72. I'm now 56 and they are STILL the greatest band in the universe. I followed them, got the Vinyl, the CDs, they're on my Ipod, I have communicated with JM, I've met Billy Cobham and Jerry Goodman and I'm still in awe of everything Mahavishnu. I've lectured on them in University's and Colleges. Its not a wasted life. No! One where I used the band as a goal to aspire to......

  • @DaveyL1954 Sounds like a pretty purposeful life to me, sir.

  • @bazonics Thank you. You're very kind

  • @DaveyL1954 I'm so envious of your history with the orchestra! I saw jm with shakti in the early days many times and his "johnny mc electric guitarist" live performances. I still am inspired by all mahavishnu projects recorded. And yes, this is still inspiring!

  • @wilhoitsux

    I thank you for your kind comments. I wrote to JM recently via his website as I'd wanted to create an arrangement for two pianos of selected pieces of music of the original Mahavishnu. He wrote back, promptly, saying that it was with pleasure that he gives permission.

    Its also widely known that he's a Yorkshireman. Perhaps its something in the water. I live in his home town. I thank you once again

  • this is the musical equivalent of Einstein's equation....pure energy man

  • John McLaughlin completely goes the f*ck OFF on this! Beautiful.

  • Let`s fix this one, because it`s a masterpiece.

  • The intro sounds up-beat compared to the album... need some eq! or maybe some more bass BRAVO!!!

  • Amazing treasure, best video in youtube. Ever.

    Thanx a lot!

  • mitica bellissima

  • Saw this same MO when I was 15 years old at the University of Miami. I thought they were Martians, John was barefooted with the double neck machine gun. I was into Ringo, after that concert Ringo became a tic next to Cobham. Then Gadd came. The rest is history.

  • That's innovation for you, thanks guys.

  • mclaughlin sounds like he's tripping in the beginning....my favorite MO song. the fourth chord on guitar is impossible!!

  • @wildcatrunning haha, yea, his broken English lol

  • MO-bands like this come around every 100 years!

    Pussy GEN Y shite we have to put up with now ROLFMAOOOOOO

  • one of my fave all-time MO tracks!

  • grandiose ce plein air

    merci

  • Bazonics, great vid and thanks for posting.

  • They were all at the top of their form. Wow.

  • Dear Bazonics, Thank you. Yes, the sound quality is bad, but JM's solo is spectacular.

  • Billy Cobham. On fire.

  • Ironic considering MO strongly supported peace love, and tolerance. No need for that kind of message.

  • nice stage backdrop - looks like real powerlines......

  • my comment won't frickin post 3x!! this one prob. will!!!

  • John's got a weird accent, but that's not a bad thing, it only makes him more interesting

  • Is it true that John taught Jimmy Page? I've read that all over but no real validation..

  • "john CANNOT create cool riffs, truly epic guitar solos, great improvisation on blues"

    a player of JMs caliber could play killer blues in his sleep. JM is so accomplished that he could play any style. he isn't a "jazz musician" he is a musician. JP on the other hand is solely a blues rock musician and plays within its limitations. but it is completely OK to prefer JP to JM and any ones right to love the music of their choice. i enjoy Zep and Mahavishnu.

  • you all fuckin suck and you all dont know shit from your asshole.....jonny mclaughlin is at the top across the board.....both jimmi's can like my nutsack

  • You can tell Billys' playing right away when you hear it. He hits so damn hard. One of my very favorite drummers.

  • Man billy cobham can sure lay down a groove in 6/8.Amazing band.I think this is even before the Inner mounting flame album was recorded.Very cool.

  • That drummer is just scary

  • One of Johns' best, and I've seen and play them all............

  • I recently was introduced to Mahavishnu the same way i think a lot of people probably are... through the album "birds of fire".... Amazing. I love all the modal business... and yes... mr. mclaughlin and mr. cobham are amazing... but I think (from reading other comments) that not enough credit is going to the other band. Before mahavishnu, (despite my classical training) I think i may have been unaware that you can play a violin that way. WOW. all members, bad ass mothers.

  • like i said, jam all the time

  • The Only Band thats better than Jeff Beck Group and Led Zeppelin.

  • John McClaughlin makes Jimmy Page look like a school girl every time he even looks at a guitar.

  • Thats not true at all. Jimmy Page is a rock and blues guitarist and John is a jazz player.

    John CANNOT create cool riffs, truly epic guitar solos, great improvisation on blues and create rock epics like Achilles Last Stand , Kashmir and Stairway to Heaven, introdce innovative production techniques and didnt help create a whole new genre or world called Heavy Metal.

    The same applies to Page: he can't play like John and can't compose complex jazz compositions like he does. So no comparison !

  • @hangoverparadise I love them both, but JP and JM are not in the same realm of playing so you can't really compare them. IMO, JM is the best fusion guitarist ever and JP is the best rock guitarist ever.

  • @hangoverparadise Why school girl-not boy? Is the word "girl" an insult in your eyes?

  • @hangoverparadise I love Led Zeppelin and Page..... but I have to agree, McLaughlin and Mahavishnu put all those so called 'super groups' like Cream and Zeppelin to shame, they're just in completely different realms of musicianship!!

  • @sparkanotherowl23 hey man there's no shame in being in Cream! besides it's a whole different scene, UK blues revival versus american jazz..

  • @hangoverparadise LoL yeah you right....and I love Page too!

  • awesome.. what a creepy introduction

  • I think JM did too much acid.

  • hahaha..

    yes to them today.. to the inspiration they, they give us all, they ... euugh..

  • yeah

  • Awesome, I love this tune

  • Hi neighbor'z, I tell Ya, Music iz mi life, Beethoven, Van Morrison the whole gang, but when I saw the original line up we see here in about '73 'twas a pivotal 'vital transformation' for me. Onward in Peace Neighbors.

  • these guys are fukin gods, one of my fav bands

    lmao my mom went to SU-first to graduate in the family!

  • HOLY FUCK

    The drummer is fucking awesome

  • That's Billy Cobham. And you're right.

  • man he really brought it in the video......he was slamming those cymbals.

  • Hey ybyainc, just for the record here I'm not ranking on Hendrix at all - never brought him up in fact - I'll love and appreciate Jimi till the day I die. John is also an incredible guitarist in what he does. Last saw him with Al and Paco and guess who way out-shined the other two. BTW, I also love Al's percussive approach. I'll let you know regarding any personal Youtube contributions. In the meantime, I gotta tell ya brother, I think you're on of the funniest guys on the tube. Keep shining.

  • wellll... i dont know what to say.. thanks for complement. Iv never been considered to "shine" with my twisted humor,.. but i guess i shine with a twisted light. I saw Al, JM, and Paco way back in like 93 or so, and i thought Paco was the coolest.. HOWEVER, JM 's stuff really just went right over my head cuz it took me like 8 years of sporadically listening to "Visions Of The Emerald Beyond" to realize how massively awesome a lot of JM's work is.

  • Hi ybyainc. I know you thrive on this type of immature behavior so I'll overlook your harsh remark here. While I would agree that technological advances have probably stunted real creativity for the most part, I was indeed referring to the highlighted solo here. I'm sure John (and my modest self, for that matter) could improve upon it. Well, you're only 35 and still have time to grow up. Have a good life. I wish you well.

  • Ok, take that solo, make it better, improve it, post it on utube. If you can do it you should be rewarded with a thousand blowjobs from a thousand blowjob angels. If you can create something from scratch,on your own,original, that makes this discussed solo pale in comparison you deserve the jewel encrusted vagina of the virgin mary , warm and wet, radiating a rainbow halo, vaccum locked on yer dick, pumping up and down faster than a humming bird can beat its wings. your orgasm, creation it self.

  • The thing is these guys were playing fresh things by combining heretofore unusual elements. In retrospect, the groove still holds up but a lot of the soloing has lost its awe inspiring edge due to time and the ability of others to imitate and even surpass the quality/creativity level. Saw one of their final concerts and was blown away by their speed, creativity and energy level - they played off each other extremely well that evening - too bad it was the end of the road for them.

  • I would definitely take issue with your suggestion that somehow, as a part of a natural, generalized musical / cultural evolution, works such as this have been "creatively surpassed" First of all, creativity is a constant force always existing in the universe. Just because a culture becomes more technologically advanced DOES NOT make it more creative by any means. Would you argue that todays musicians have evolved to "surpass the quality/creativity" of like, Hendrix? Are you a fucking IDIOT?

  • there are many guitarists that are better on a technical level than Hendrix. Hendrix was actually quite sloppy in that sense. he just had a great feel and an innovative style for his time. still love his music tho. and there are a number of musicians today who can play with technical finesse. writing quality can be argued however

  • That is NOT my argument you weener face!! Of course Hendrix was sloppy.. there are thousands of guitar players that are technically superior to Hendrix and can guitar shred Henrix's ass off the side of his left scrotum ball. What i was thumpin' on "lagatuda" for was his suggestion that the CREATIVITY of Hendrix was simply been passed by evolution. that is dick STUPID! the shit that Hendrix pulled out of ass was simply sublime, like a freekin' paradigm shift. Pure creativity is pure creativity.

  • no need to be rude/immature. while I believe musical evolution is apart of the reasoning of how 'today's musicians' could probably pull off something of a similar caliber to mahavishnu orchestra, i believe you are right in that it isnt the ONLY reason. another reason is simply that newer artists have taken what theyve done and improved upon it. i forget which scientist said, 'if I have done anything great it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.'

  • Yes.. there is a need to be rude and immature.. cuz its more fun than just talking normal in cyberspace.. secondly, you keep missing my argument..Its about CREATIVITY ... the phenomenon of CREATIVITY. Its about ART as opposed to technology, Its NOT about athleticism but more about poetry.. When self evident beauty is created that transcends cultural standards or norms, and often introduces a timeless dimension of blisful experience.. its not dependant on time or technology, or even intellect..

  • fair enough. i think you forget that its creativity that spawns technology. what is 'self evident' beauty anyways? No one can tell. Art is subjective, as is beauty. As an artist, I can tell you these things with some authority. and so i can tell you that creativity and the intellect are inseparable. its because we have an intellect that we are able to be creative in the first place. this music could be described as a blissful experience to one person and pretentious wankery to the next...

  • i dont forget that creativity spawns technology, because creativity is "The Great Spawner" Yea, you got a point about beauty being subjective and in the eye of the beholder, but try being a good artist without thinking that beauty IS THE SHIT, and that you know what the SHIT SHOULD SMELL LIKE. NOw your idea that creativity and the intellect are inseparable, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY INTELLECT? DO YOU MEAN INTELLECTUAL, CONCEPTUAL, CONSCIOUS THOUGHT OR something more primordial?

  • as an artist, Im not compelled to make traditionally 'beautiful' works of art. beauty in art is different than say the beauty of a woman. it can include that kind of beauty, but its much bigger. aesthetic beauty is what Im after. Look at H.R. Giger's work; its ugly in the traditional sense, but in its own aesthetic, its very beautiful work. By intellect I mean our capacity for human thought; without it, we couldnt create and judge works of art. art is conceptual at first, just like any invention

  • See, I have this view of beauty, intelligence and creativity as being metaphysical in relation to the current consensus of physical reality. I believe in evolution, but i think its mechanisms involve a type of spiritual force, a divine intelligence or "god" consciousness driving "random" mutation and natural selection. Our intellects are among inumberable reflections of this primordial force of creativity & intelligence, this order of beauty. To me, the human intellect is extremely limited.

  • so you think beauty, intelligence, and creativity are just abstract concepts mankind created in order to label and identify with our physical existence? if so, you'd be correct. they are defined by us simply because we created them. but i suppose if one is a theist they might consider that these ideals stemmed from a divine being...but thats another topic. art is universal because our emotions and thoughts are transcribed into the work. art is the absolute/pure expression for the human condition

  • @matternicuss Hendrix was "quite sloppy"? That's ridiculous. He played sloppy on occasion when he was high or exhausted or both, but listen to Electric Ladyland, or any of his records-you must have forgotten what they sound like. There are many ways to look at technique, and 'better on a technical level" is virtually meaningless. Go to any music store and you can hear kids play horrible metal shred-does that make them "technically better"? NO!

  • @Gregorypeckory yes but his drug use took its toll (obviously). ive heradthe album, and i love hendrix, and yes, there are different ways to look t technique, but technical ability is one of them. as a guitar player i can tell you that sometimes playing technically does not necessarily endow a song with feeling, but its always good to know your chops, be it metal, jazz, or simple rock that is being played

  • @matternicuss I know what you mean-I just don't like people calling him sloppy-part of the reason is so many late night drunk/stoned jams made it onto vinyl "over his dead body"-he'd be horrified. He had very high standards-and was great at the type of chops he had-and by blues/rock standards in his time, he was a virtuoso, and pushed the level of chops forward. He should be judged by his real records, not posthumous ripoff records.

  • @Gregorypeckory People say that Zappa was not great because he played "sloppy". Bullshit, Zappa is the best, at least to those who understand music. And Shawn Lane and Jonas Hellborg is some phenomenal stuff. Time Is The Enemy has remained one of my favorite albums for a few years. In my opinion Frank Zappa is the best that "rock" music has ever had to offer, and beyond that there's only fusion.

  • ...and are they (for sure) from the Earth...

  • Sometimes I'm not sure, how many chromosomes they have :)

  • Looks like they're jammin' down at the train tracks behind my parents' house

  • i happened to see this show and the Saratoga show..i have heard a lot of good music before and since,but this stuff raised the bar for everyone in a very breathtaking way.Not alot of music approaches this even 35 years down the road. This is indeed rare stuff

  • Apparently, God plays a double-necked guitar. What the fuck got into this guys sole to make him play like that... ? This guys playing is like a fuckin' nuclear meltdown in my brain.

  • thats what im saying, sounds like a martian or something man, alien like outta this solar system

  • that was the cleanest fastest song ive ever heard in my life.................how the fuck did they do that!

  • John sounds like he had been smoking really good pot. He is such a mellow guy. I've seen him live several times and he was always amazing.

  • its seems like he always high...is he one with the universe?

  • badass.

  • How dare you to compare TOOL and The Mars Volta with the outstanding Mahavishnu? Go back to mammy little boy!!!!!!

  • From 5:25 Til' The End... That's Fuckin' Ridiculous. John Is Amazing.

  • Mahavishnu burns the Mars Volta, upstarts dont even try to compare them....

  • FUCKIN A BUBBA!

    The mars volta sucks, compared to the minimun expresion of Mahavishnu.

  • de la puta madre

  • very complex music

  • and they switched to the bee in the flower why?

  • The God's where watching this Gig !

  • Thanx for postin' Saw Cobham at the opening of the new Zildjian factory in Norwell Ma a long long time ago.....

  • Billy is SUCH a powerhouse, STILL is.

    NO ONE was doing this type of playing, at least who was able to get a gig, I tihnk about how he changed everything and am amazed.

  • I think this is the best rendition of Meeting of the Spirits I've ever heard. I see now why older folks say that the Between Nothingness and Eternity live disc is not the M.O. at their best. The sound quality is better at the poster's link of the entire concert. (the link is on the one of the other songs from this concert)

    Perfection, or damn near close to it.

  • it sounds kinda god-like

  • this sounds kinda mars volt-ish... or the mars volta sounds kinda mahavishnu orchestr-ish lol

  • NO! The mars volta is shit and should never be compared to a band of this caliber.

  • wrong

  • you could not be more wrong. thomas pridgen is the only one who comes close to comparing to them, but he overplays more than any drummer i've ever heard, and hes only in that band for the money anyway. i saw them live in albany in 2006, and they were just plain awful, i had to leave the venue cause i couldn't stand it. 50 minutes straight without a rest as loud as they could play, absolutely no dynamics. but yeah, tool is a great band also.

  • the modern day equivalent of mahavishnu, in my opinion, is Garaj Mahal. fucking incredible.

  • Y'all postin' in a troll thread

  • I believe what he is saying is--for all you who think he is comparing them in skill and therefor "quality, professionalism, etc." is that they are 30 years apart in TECHNOLOGY, MUSIC THEORY, and hey, think about this..THE AMOUNT OF MUSIC AROUND THEN COMPARED TO NOW.. so yes there is chance that the mars volta may have many modern twists, effects(computer, digital, etc) that Mahavishnu didnt, BUT listen to this.. MAHAVISHNU FOR ITS TIME USED AMAZING EFFECTS, THEORY, AND ALL OF THE ABOVE!

  • this was in response to nunocturn and hippygangster (lol@name) are saying to nmh2112

    , and now i will comment on the video in one word for thats all is needed :)

    awesome

    and, imagine mahavishnu with extreme overdrive modern tone

  • well they are one of their influences

  • I can imagine this colorized...

  • Viewers may like to CHECK OUT MY VIDEO:

    "Mahavishnu Orchestra - Earliest Live Recording"

    avs002

  • I don't think anyone can listen to this and not be completely blown away. And if you can, then you must have had the mute button on.

  • i completely agree.

  • blahblahblahbetteryaddayaddaya­ddanohe'sbetterwhogivesaflying­fuckshutupandLISTEN!!!!!!!!!!

  • you guys forget a great drummer by the name of Narada Michael Walden.

  • That's not Narada m.Walden, that's Billy Cobham.

  • This is great!!

  • The audio concert website JAZZFUSION(dot)TV in its latest batch of concerts has a Syracuse Mahavishnu concert from 1971 (not the university though) . They also have some One Truth Band concerts with L Shankar which also have versions of this song . The Mahavishnu concerts on WOLFGANGSVAULT website have some great versions of Meeting of the spirits , proper recordings , not bootlegs.

  • Had never heard a lick by him before I saw this line up on this tour. Changed the way I approach music and art, forever. Cathartic.

  • this song always made me think of some kind of sea monster.

  • Pretty well said man.

  • Is this comparison of Billy Cobham to Neil Peart some kind of joke?

    Peart is a great rock drummer, but he pales in comparison to the jazz greats, PARTICULARLY when compared to Cobham...Night and Day

    Personally, I believe that Cobham, Dave Weckl & Dennis Chambers are the top 3 living drummers today, with Buddy Rich being the greatest of all time...

  • Very inclined to concur with you, Steely.

    Peart's good in his field but could in noway approach the statistical density or,indeed, 'the feel' of the king three mentioned.

    Perhaps a shout for Mr Virgil Donati to make it a quartet of greats?

  • Possibly. I think Peart rivals them in terms of technicality, but I agree that they'd destroy him in a jazz setting.

  • uummmmmmmmm........ lets seee.....

    NO.

  • Peart isnt very good at all.

    he's like a Jungle drummer of sorts, and electronic. I wouldn't mention Cobham and Pert in the same sentence.

    Pert drums like a rich white man..

    wuurd

  • well said .....peart and cobham in the same sentence ???? no ...u gotta b kidding ...this quality on this vid is low sadly ... check out the studio version when the rest of the band hits and holds the notes in the intro cobham's fill ins are wild great stuff

  • lol at my school they all think peart is the best drummer ever if I told em no they get very angry