John "Mahavishnu" McLaughlin vs. Tommy "Teaser" Bolin

Comparing with two geniuses by their versions of "You Konw You Know" for your enjoyment.
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First up:

Mahavishnu Orchestra
Lived at Emerson Gymnasium, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. April 21, 1972

Track 2 - You Know You Know*
Composed by John McLaughlin
*Edited to fit YouTube's 10min Limited

Artists:
John McLaughlin - guitar
Jan Hammer - keyboards
Jerry Goodman - violin
Rick Laird - bass
Billy Cobham - drums
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The next:

Tommy Bolin & Friends
Lived at Ebbets Field, Denver, Co. June 3 or 4, 1974

Track 1 - You Know You Know
Composed by John McLaughlin

Artists:
Tommy Bolin - guitar
Stanley Sheldon - bass
Bobby Berge - drums
Russell Bizet - drums
Archie Shelby - percussion
Jeff Cook - vocals

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• indie rock
• jazz
• Tommy Bolin
• John McLaughlin
• Mahavishnu Fusion
• guitar god
• pk
• vs
• Billy Cobham

[AtanasovPetar]

@Pur3Purpl3 Yea i listened to that and the whole record is very good.

[Pur3Purpl3]

@AtanasovPetar Listen to him on the record Spectrum by Billy Cobham. That's his proper sphere of musical playing - Fusion.

[AtanasovPetar]

@stringzzzz1 I haven't heard much of his work but from what i hear here and in Deep Purple i am not impressed with Bolin.If you know somewhere that he plays something good please link i would like to hear if i misjudged him.

[stringzzzz1]

@AtanasovPetar

Yeah... I think were on the same page here. Hence my reference to Metheny and Alvin Lee... Red vs. white, apple vs. orange... This thread should have never gotten started if your a Mclaughlin fan.

I will admit it's always interesting to hear these so called comparisions and vs. scenarios.

I don't feel comfortable thinking Bolin was just a "sloopy pentatonic noodler" though. That's a bit harsh on a guy who showed such great promise. If able to continue his musical evolution.

[AtanasovPetar]

@stringzzzz1 Comparing this sloppy pentatonic noodler with John Mclaughlin is not really smart thing to do.I don't mean disrespect to the dead but this guy Bolin is NOT playing fusion,Is totally out of tune, he is very sloppy and his phrases don't lead to anything.Bolin is just playing rock pentatonic solos over this "arrangement" he did.This is not jazz fusion.

[stringzzzz1]

At the risk of sounding like some snooty fusion purist, having a comparison of these to fine guitarist is is like comparing Alvin Lee to Pat Metheny...

Why?...

Obviously , Bolin's respect for the Mahavishu Orchestra is whats relevant here.

I think Tommy's legacy of remarkable potential is understated but lets be realistic for a moment.

Bolins arrangement is a revamp of "Third Stone From The Sun" and a Santana Groove thing. To me, it loses the initial intent and feel of "You Know, You Know".

[jeffreygaudreault]

I like Tommy's better, because its a new, fresh and intriguing approach to the ol' song.

[deepindercheema]

John's is the best - he had longer to practice.

[bibirije]

Wow. I didn´t know this Tommy´s work.