John McLaughlin/Mahavishnu Orchestra -You Know, You Know [Live in Berkeley] 1972

John McLaughlin/Mahavishnu Orchestra -You Know, You Know [Live in Berkeley] 1972

Mahavishnu Orchestra Concert - Berkeley Community Theatre (Berkeley, CA) 11.09.1972
John McLaughlin - guitar
Jerry Goodman - violin
Richard Laird - bass
Jan Hammer - keyboards
Billy Cobham - drums

Most of the musicians that recorded and performed with Miles Davis during his early explorations into electric instrumentation went on to form bands of their own. Of these groups intent on further exploring the new ground that Miles was forging into, few were as adept or as influential as the Mahavishnu Orchestra, a globally diverse group formed by legendary English guitarist John McLaughlin. Combining the improvisational elements of jazz with the volume and energy of rock music, the group - who also brought elements of Far Eastern music, R&B, Classical and occasionally even Country to the table - created music that was often intricate and complex, performed by musicians who's virtuosity thrilled audiences and critics alike. The group had a firm grip on dynamics and were equally adept at dense, aggressive flights of musical intensity as they were at creating moments of impassioned, spiritual contemplation.

This performance, significantly captured between their groundbreaking first and second album releases, finds the group at the peak of creativity and power. Recorded at the intimate Berkeley Community Theater, this concert is not only a stellar example of the band's high energy and fluid virtuosity, but is one of the longest and most intense performances to ever be captured on tape.

The first half hour features highly expanded versions of the yet to be recorded opening tracks of the group's second album. Opening with the title track "Birds Of Fire," followed by McLaughlin's tribute to the master himself, "Miles Beyond," the group displays their breathtaking improvisational abilities, expanding both pieces to almost three times the length of their studio counterparts.

Following this segment of initial intensity, the group settles into a more relaxed groove with a track from their debut album, "You Know, You Know." A much slower piece, the song's dominated by an R&B influenced bassline and contains tasteful arpeggios and unusual accent placements. The rhythm section of Laird and Cobham is showcased here, and is shown to be just as adept creating subtlety as intensity. One of the band's most popular first album tracks, "The Dance Of Maya," is featured, and likewise gets a highly expanded treatment. Many subtle changes occur during its extended explorations, and the track is certainly one of the most intriguing and accessible pieces for newcomers to the band.

After all the fury that occurred during the last hour of the show, the comparatively tranquill "Sanctuary" provides a wonderful contrast in mood. Jan Hammer's introspective synthesizer solo weeps while Goodman's wailing violin compliments McLaughlin's guitar. The "A Lotus On Irish Streams" continues in a contemplative mode with a gentle, serenading atmosphere. Hammer's keyboards propel the track, but it's the occasional speed soloing from McLaughlin, and especially the poignant violin contributions of Jerry Goodman, that provide the flavor and spiritual atmosphere of this track.

Many consider the Mahavishnu Orchestra to be the most influential of all the jazz-rock fusion groups to follow in the wake of Miles Davis' groundbreaking Bitches Brew sessions. While the genre would continue to grow and diversify in the years to come, few groups would approach the originality or musicianship that the Mahavishnu Orchestra displayed.

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• Mahavishnu Orchestra -You Know

[kdtheparable]

I agree Don!! This is the best version of this song!!!! Unbelievable!!!!

[Donbecker5]

Good lord. This is the best version of this song that I have ever heard...I wish you would redo this with visuals. Use the live in Germany footage... By the way, I've created a music channel called the Acid Jazz Channel in order to play music just like this. You can find it with a google search...I think its the best music channel ever...

[BuridansEsel1]

..so good !!!

[anthropomorphicide]

PS just got a new IMac and my user name changed from 1 Delta to Anthropomorphicide.

this group is talented it's inconceivable!!!!!!!

[anthropomorphicide]

@Donbecker5 THE LIVE IN GERMANY ONE IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE, ESPECIALLY GOODMAN AND WHAT I CONSIDER THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS DRUM SOLO OF ALL TIME!!!!!!!!

NICE TO KNOW SOMEONE ELSE KNOW ABOUT THIS MASTERPIECE (THE GERMAN ONE IN PARTICULAR) MOZART WOULD FAINT!!!!!!!!!

[anthropomorphicide]

what is it about this song? It just lays down the perfect platform from everything from Delta, to Hendrix to BeBop.

I tried to get my drummer and bass player friend to keep the time and it's impossible

although you can play it straight 4/4 and it still rocks.

of course you have every fusion,bop, blues and rock riff at your disposal which explains why no body tackles this monster. oh yeah, Cobham plays the syncopation, swing, funk and everything else under the sun-CHECK OUT THE GERMAN ONE!

[jomiqutoall]

I saw MO perform this selection at SPAC in the early 70s. These guys were very good. They are my favorite all time performers, this line up. Extremely talented and worth listening to again and again. Saw the later lineups but this lineup shone a bit brighter. JM is a master, one of the best musicians ever IMHO. And Hammer, Goodman, Cobham and Laird are no slouches. Hope someone does a documentary on them someday.

[todfrye]

i was there. first live show i ever saw.

[1Delta]

ALTHOUGH the one in GERMANY was a tad above this.....not as well recorded, but Hammer, Goodman and COBHAM especially go into outer space. Ironically, Mclaughlin doesn't take a solo. UNBELIVABLE!!!!!!!!!!

[1Delta]

I can't believe I never heard this version. stellar recording.

other worldly performance.

thanx so very much,.