I was in a band that opened for Mahavishnu in the early '70's and so loved watching them every night. Rick Laird was the rock that held it together. This is how I met Billy Cobham and was blessed enough to be asked to do Spectrum with him. Still one of my fave projects ever. Lee
I love this era of music. I've been a guitar player most of my life, since I was twelve, and this kind of music represents what I most love to play nowadays, although I would never claim to play in the same universe as McLaughlin! I wish! But I will keep playing and be the best I can be. That's the only way we get better. You can really get lost in this music, so superior to the pop junk most seem to go for. This music just takes you on a magic trip.
@@thatmatt41 I think the answer is a resounding no, plus little/no comprehension of the English language bearing in mind the content of Mr Sklar's post
Not only was Mahavishnu Orchestra a technical band, but they played with so much heart and passion. All of the musicians were fully committed to their instruments. Plus, they were way ahead of their time. Listen to those incredible progressive passages. Truly marvelous composition.
I was 13 when I heard Between Nothingness and Eternity in the back of a van after a camping trip. The guys driving us were dental students and they asked if we wanted to hear the best guitarist in the world. This was in 1975. The back of my neck tingled...it blew my mind! I'm 57 now and I still adore John McLaughlin. It was at that moment I decided to be a guitarist instead of a geologist. Not sure the world needed another guitarist but blame the Mahavishnu Orchestra. John's playing on Tribute To Jack Johnson (Miles Davis) and In A Silent Way is some of his finest and profoundly beautiful work (my humble opinion). My parents used to complain about the music I listened to. Of course I didn't care! Michael.
How can you not like ‘sewerslvt’ depressing sad (breakcore) Samples and presets, she’s not musician. She’s very good at dialing in other peoples music, blasting off in space. Making heavy dark. The samples are not dark until she dials thier sound. Distant travels , News from the garden. End ‘kills’ Swinging in his cell, wrist are for girls, sick twisted demented, Torched lesbians. From Australia She hates lesbians
a single riff... what a masterpiece, i saw john in "festival de jazz de la riviera maya" on december 2017, and i cannot describe how powerful was that moment, i never heard this song, that was my first time, but oh my god. blew my mind
My rule for how to judge the greatness of a drummer: if you get exhausted just watching them, they're doing it right. I don't have it in my to play drums. I've played piano, trumpet, and guitar since I was a child and drums total baffle me. My uncle is a fantastic drummer, but he can't play guitar worth a damn and I'm a total spaz on drums.
@@angusorvid8840 That's also a great way to put it, it's literally stealing your energy seeing their own insane energy output. It must be close to the rawest form of experiencing music, seeing how he's just way the fuck out there when he drums.
The best band to ever walk the face of this earth. How John came up with those odd as hell time signatures is amazing. But, it's fun counting along with the song to see how well you can stay on beat. 8)
The whole song has just one single theme, but if you listen too the variousity in playing that comes out of these musicians you can say that this piece is one of those unique live moments in musical history....
It was called 'The Section'...myself, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar and Craig Doerge and later the addition of David Lindley. More rock fusion than jazz fusion. With MO it was a great billing. Loved jamming backstage with John.....Old style English blues. Yeah! They were a great hang and awe inspiring every night.
Love jamming to fusion too! Thanks for your contributions Leland 👍🏻🤩 I’ve done a bunch of jams with Jan Hammer in different lineups also (with Jeff Beck, Jerry Goodman, Mahavishnu and his solo-projects): ua-cam.com/play/PLgbNYrZECAo2kl1jlhRE6c1S2nlNE47eS.html Enjoy!
CountTepes Thanks a lot to let me know, I was pretty sure he was Ponty, you know, first the blue violin, the way he plays, he is playing with the Mahavishnu, his physical appearance etc.
+José Hernández wrong. this is Jerry Goodman.. Jean Luc did not appear with Mahavishnu Orchestra until Visions of the Emerald Beyond. Goodman is a long hair, JLP always kept it relatively short and wears a beard
I have never been as awestruck as I was the first time I saw this band. They were the "band to be named later", and I have never seen so many slackjawed people at the same time since this show, probably mid seventies. Incredible. Changed my perception of music.
Whew! That shit just never wears out. 100 years from now it will still sound fresh and still raise goose bumps! Wish there were more bands like this around today.
I have been drumming for years blindly not accepting all genres and styles until a few years ago and I just turned 24 and have been obsessing over Cobham and jazz and fusion players like Gary Novak and Miles Davis. Recently discovered the album Bitches Brew by Miles Davis and all I can say is atleast I found this music now and really appreciate all the talent and effort that goes into these players parts. It has definitely taken my playing so much further than it would have without! I just wish more of my generation appreciated musicians like this instead of praising idiots who have no musical ability =/
Every man in this original line-up of MO is a virtuoso in his own right. But additionally - their playing together was outstanding too. I am very satisfied listening to John`s suggestion of a lick at 1:40, played immediately by Jan at 1:41. This shows a harmony between bandmates, which is not heard every day.
in June of 1972, I went with my brother, my best friend and my girlfriend to see Mahavishnu perform at Princeton University. At the end of the show, my bro, me, and my pal were all high-fiving each other, out of our minds with joy. My girlfriend said, "It was too loud." I broke up with her the following week.
Glad to see all of the enthusiasm about MO! For those wanting to know more, I humbly suggest you check out the book I wrote 5 years ago called "Power, Passion and Beauty - The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra." Many of the questions asked in these comments are answered :-)
One of the best rock bands, hands down. You gotta love John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham (Panama rules!), Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman and Rick Laird (in that order). Ironically the Gibson SG double neck John McLaughlin played was purportedly rented (it was a very expensive instrument back in the day) and he was the best player on that instrument (I'm sorry, Jimmy Page). In addition, another irony, Jan Hammer didn't like the Fender Rhodes very much like Keith Jarret didn't when he played with Miles Davis. I don't why, since it's the most iconic instrument since the Fender Telecaster or Stratocaster.
I know your comment is 2 years old but i gotta say. I love that u call MvORCH a rock band. i always thought Rock guys try to suggest that they are not cool enough, to be a rock band jazz guys i went to school with suggest they are outta control, to unorthadox to be called jazz, to me ,they were a progressive rock band that destroys all rock+jazz bands, Marshall turned up.
The interplay between musicians is what makes them shine individually. Without the violinist SHREADING like he did, Cobham would not have played like such a beast. He was supporting the soloist. I like McLaughlin because of the ideas that he contributes for the framework - his compositional ideas are very interesting.
A friend of mine (Marcus) introduced me to John Mc back in 1973. I didn't get it at the time. I understand and SO appreciate this astronomic talent now. I was lucky to see the Mahavashnu Orchestra at Long Beach California around 1974. Jerry Goodman, Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, and John on the double neck. A Magical Eveving I will never forget.
I'm 28 years old and I obviously wasn't even thought of when this song was made but it is nothing short of awesome! The melody is nothing short of hypnotizing and the drummer and violin section is crazy! Great music is eternal let this song live forever!
If you want to really be amazed, please check out The Dance of Maya by Mahavishnu Orchestra. It is just amazing the complexitity of the rhythms, and the ease with which they improvise over it. Many of the comments on that song nail down the exact rhythmic pattern. It is so great to find young people that seek and appreciate good music of any time past and not the recycled trash that makes the greater part of what passes for music today. And don't even get me started about hip hop / rap / reggeton.
25 years old right here, and I really warmed up to this kind of music. At first, I must admit, I didn't "get" it. Then after a while, I started to enjoy the complexity and I started to notice just how great they all complement each other in this band. As a fellow EDS-1275 guitar player, I admire John McLaughlin a lot for the fact he uses the thing for an entire set. The sound he gets from his double-necks is nothing short of amazing. My favorite song is Meeting of the Spirits, though. In that song, John creates fantastic sounds on his EDS-1275, and he switches between both necks a lot to get different sounds. Great stuff!
RealKobeBeanME3 Check out "Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin- 09/04/73- Santa Monica Ca." It's on YT. I believe he uses that same guitar. it's just amazing though, to listen to these two masters trading punches.
Hosea Bickerstaff A verbal and actual thumbs up for your comment- not because of your age (which is irrelevant) but because you've found the truth and appreciate this music.
Mahavishnu were one mind-blowing group!!! Amen to real musicianship! Once I was introduced to MO, I was hooked for life!!! Saw them whenever they played in the Hartford, CT area. I loved how they opened the concerts with a dark stage then you could faintly see McLaughlin appearing in all white-like the God of Guitar!!! A huge WOW to this wonderful video. Thnx for the "flashback"!! ;-), Oh yeah, thank you, Jose Molina Serrano for turning me on to them way bk then. P.S. Cobham ROCKS!!
Ladies and Gentlemen: bass master Lee Sklar is in the house!! Great recollections, Sir thanks for sharing. "Jamming backstage with John" could only be said by very very few people on this planet. Oh! and as for 'Spectrum' what an amazing album that is. The bass line from 'Stratus' must be one of the most sampled/copied at the moment.
Saw John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra twice. Saw him again with Jean Luc Ponty and last playing acoustic with a string ensemble. All I can say is "Damn!" Nice to see that, thanks to you folks posting on UA-cam, it isn't all lost.
I got to see Flock play live at the forerunner to Glastonbury [England] in 1970, at the Shepton Mallett Blues and Jazz[iirc] Festival. They had planned on 75k showing up, over 300 k actually did. A shy somewhat introverted 17 yo lad was in a different world there.
As a violin player, I was told to watch this video. It is funny, but I ask myself: Why on earth would somebody want to play violin like that man? Well, it's kind of like climbing Everest... Because it is physically possible, and the overall effect (the view from the top) would be espectacular. But how many steps would it take to get there. Well about as many notes as that blue violin guy playsin his solo. Wow, that's a lot of steps, climbing Everest.
Not to make comparisons... but when I was young and first started listening to progressive jazz, I was fan of Jean Luc Ponty, and thought he was the epitome of jazz violin. I didn't discover this video until a few years ago, and was in awe of Jerry Goodman. Hopefully you will have similar experiences as you grow old. Makes life worth living!
I never get tired of listening to these guys... and I don't even like jazz. But I am a musician and an artist. And when something is this awsome... I can't help but love it.
I grew up in the same area of Chicago as Jerry Goodman, and got to see him start performing as a guitar player in a signed local band called the Flock. So proud of him to achieve this level of mastery, and creative beauty.
Billy Cobham-father of modern drumset, he's got best sounding single stroke, left hand lead,technique,groove,time,numerous drum hardware inovations with Tama drums. Roots of Dennis,Simon and every gospel chop drummer today Billy and Tony changed world of drums forever!!!!
I saw Mahavishnu for the first time at Princeton University one night in June 1972...we couldn't believe the AWESOIME power of the band, we all went crazy, and raced to Philadelphia the next night to see them again..
This is the way I saw them in the 70's. Simple curtain backdrop, no flashy light show, just standing there blowing the collective brains of the audience.
This track (live and studio) really goes to show Cobham's ability. His drums really hold everything together and dictate the intensity of track. Without him switching things up every few bars, this one riff would probably get boring very fast
"After Horace Silver, I was playing dates fundamentally on the same kind of drumset because you can put it on a plane or whatever, trap cases, then I got an opportunity to work with a band called Dreams and in that band we needed a 22" bass drum, not a 20". It was a single bass drum, everything else fundamentally stayed the same, 5½" snare drum, the toms were 14" and 16", there was no 18" at the time. Then along came Mahavishnu." On his first album with the fusion giants, Cobham used the same single bass drum configuration but the success of the debut allowed him to experiment with two 22" bass drums for their second album. "That recording was Birds Of Fire," he says. "I'd never played two bass drums before in my life so it was about getting my head wrapped around why I needed another bass drum when I could hardly play the one I had. Because [guitarist and bandleader] John McLaughlin wanted it that badly, I took a shot and tried to learn what to do with it. At first I thought I could woodshed, just put it into a room and practise alone. That was absolute lunacy because we were working all the time. Then I tried putting it in my hotel room but I couldn't get out of bed because the drums were getting in the way. I couldn't open the door to the room because of the drums, I had to take the drums and put them on the bed to get in. It didn't work. So I decided to just put the bloody drums on the stage and let's see what happens. I've never looked back since. When you're on stage, trying your best not to make mistakes and look like an idiot, now you're thinking about what can I do? Sound-check becomes rehearsal, practice. They're setting up, my drums come up first and I'd just sit at the drums and figure out what the heck can I do with this thing! And as one became more accustomed to what's happening it became an integral part of what I do musically."
That is why I always watch the drummer. Cobham must have dropped half his body weight in sweat in this song. The description playing as if his life depended is apt. Man I am inspired.
+ Hugo Nongbri Kalifornia by Mos Def was the sample that lead me to MO in the first place. I love music for connecting the dots and all you commenters for pointing me in the right direction
i discovered mahavishnu orchestra when i was about 16 and im 23 now and i still have yet to fine a band with such creativity and tightness as a band i love this song and many of there other songs they opened my eyes to jazz fusion and i have expanded more and had more joy of music due to them also if you like john mclauglin you should check out his indian work with a band called shakti brilliant
What energy Bill Codham. Just WOW my heart with those stricks of LOVE on those skins. Oh you are so magnificent. LOVE DRUMS, and OH how you can handle your delicious talent. TO the REST we love you to, but you must admit, Bill goes to town on his Skins and just steals our hearts. SORRY. YOU are all still loved, That blue violin (shouting out can you hear me now?) is really neat-Love blue.:) Keyboard, Guitars, you are a fantastically delicious band. LOVE YOU!!!!
I saw them live I think in '73 in Zurich, Switzerland - that exact line up! I was 12 at the time and it changed my life - I decided to become a professional musician (guitarist) which I am to this day...thanks so much for posting this! 5 stars! - Kaspar Galli
I saw the 1st MO in 72 and again in 73. They were just the most mind blowing thing happening in music. I read an interview by Billy Cobham in some music magazine about 5 years ago. He said Vinnie Colaiuta was the drummer that all the young up and comings should be paying attention to as a player who had great command of a drumset.
I remember seeing them play this on TV in the 70s. It always blew me away. I always felt this was the epitome of musical achievement, of musical bliss, of playing at the very top of the game.
HAVE A LISTEN!!! The best fusion band from the 70's. Show me a band that can play as cohesive and jam out like this band did! They are all equally amazing!
Man, I love UA-cam! I grew up listening to (and still listen to) this band. I've seen Cobham about four times but never have seen McLaughlin or Mahavishnu. The audio is even not too bad on this cut.
I was in a band that opened for Mahavishnu in the early '70's and so loved watching them every night. Rick Laird was the rock that held it together. This is how I met Billy Cobham and was blessed enough to be asked to do Spectrum with him. Still one of my fave projects ever. Lee
Mr. Sklar, I've loved your work since the beginning and I'm glad to have this chance to say so. Thank you!
k boomer
I love this era of music. I've been a guitar player most of my life, since I was twelve, and this kind of music represents what I most love to play nowadays, although I would never claim to play in the same universe as McLaughlin! I wish! But I will keep playing and be the best I can be. That's the only way we get better. You can really get lost in this music, so superior to the pop junk most seem to go for. This music just takes you on a magic trip.
@@tightirl You do realize that the person who made this comment is world-renowned session bassist Leland Sklar?
@@thatmatt41 I think the answer is a resounding no, plus little/no comprehension of the English language bearing in mind the content of Mr Sklar's post
Not only was Mahavishnu Orchestra a technical band, but they played with so much heart and passion. All of the musicians were fully committed to their instruments. Plus, they were way ahead of their time. Listen to those incredible progressive passages. Truly marvelous composition.
They're still ahead of their time!
I'm fourteen and this some of the best music I've ever heard!
I was 13 when I heard Between Nothingness and Eternity in the back of a van after a camping trip. The guys driving us were dental students and they asked if we wanted to hear the best guitarist in the world. This was in 1975. The back of my neck tingled...it blew my mind! I'm 57 now and I still adore John McLaughlin. It was at that moment I decided to be a guitarist instead of a geologist. Not sure the world needed another guitarist but blame the Mahavishnu Orchestra. John's playing on Tribute To Jack Johnson (Miles Davis) and In A Silent Way is some of his finest and profoundly beautiful work (my humble opinion). My parents used to complain about the music I listened to. Of course I didn't care! Michael.
You must be 25 now
I thought the same at your age when they played in NYC's Central Park. I'm in my 60s now, and i still agree with you🙏🏼🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🙏🏼
Well now you're 28, what say you?
How can you not like ‘sewerslvt’ depressing sad (breakcore) Samples and presets, she’s not musician.
She’s very good at dialing in other peoples music, blasting off in space. Making heavy dark. The samples are not dark until she dials thier sound. Distant travels , News from the garden. End ‘kills’ Swinging in his cell, wrist are for girls, sick twisted demented, Torched lesbians. From Australia She hates lesbians
Billy Cobham is a beast!! Best jazz.fusion jazz drummer EVER!!!
I knew he was great .
But I had forgotten …
This video …wow .
100% totally superb!
How could you have the five most incredible musicians on one stage?
Damn I wish someone had shown me this at 9 years old. Might have given a crap about my violin lessons then.
true dat. Check out Michal Urbaniak too.
ohhh yeah,,, check out jerry goodman BEFORE this...in the band called the flock. THEN you'll be saying what the flock? I know I did!
so you can give a crap about them now
sounds like a lame-ass loser excuse to me. FYI... violin "lessons" are NOT a pre-requisite for playing like jerry goodman.
So fucking true, applies to any instrument lesson as a kid
The best electric band in history, bar none! Nobody else touched the virtuosity, power, beauty , and sheer creativity these guys achieved.
CREAM
it's amazing what some geniuses can do with a single riff
a single riff... what a masterpiece, i saw john in "festival de jazz de la riviera maya" on december 2017, and i cannot describe how powerful was that moment, i never heard this song, that was my first time, but oh my god. blew my mind
just realized how fortunate i am to have witnessed John Mclaughlin live as a kid.
Me too, Toledo Ohio Sports Arena circa 1975.
Me too.
Tower Theater
Upper Darby, Pa.
"Billy Cobham is hitting those skins as if his very life depended on it."
best description for this video. thanks
he may have been trying to keep himself awake.
Agree. Bruno Mele.
My rule for how to judge the greatness of a drummer: if you get exhausted just watching them, they're doing it right. I don't have it in my to play drums. I've played piano, trumpet, and guitar since I was a child and drums total baffle me. My uncle is a fantastic drummer, but he can't play guitar worth a damn and I'm a total spaz on drums.
@@angusorvid8840 That's also a great way to put it, it's literally stealing your energy seeing their own insane energy output. It must be close to the rawest form of experiencing music, seeing how he's just way the fuck out there when he drums.
The best band to ever walk the face of this earth. How John came up with those odd as hell time signatures is amazing. But, it's fun counting along with the song to see how well you can stay on beat. 8)
Billy Cobham is an absolute boss, one of the best drummers to ever exist. I love that china cymbal that's the size of a UFO by the way.
The whole song has just one single theme, but if you listen too the variousity in playing that comes out of these musicians you can say that this piece is one of those unique live moments in musical history....
Absolutely
this is one of the most amazing conversations i've ever heard
It was called 'The Section'...myself, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar and Craig Doerge and later the addition of David Lindley. More rock fusion than jazz fusion. With MO it was a great billing. Loved jamming backstage with John.....Old style English blues. Yeah! They were a great hang and awe inspiring every night.
Love jamming to fusion too! Thanks for your contributions Leland 👍🏻🤩
I’ve done a bunch of jams with Jan Hammer in different lineups also (with Jeff Beck, Jerry Goodman, Mahavishnu and his solo-projects): ua-cam.com/play/PLgbNYrZECAo2kl1jlhRE6c1S2nlNE47eS.html
Enjoy!
It's more than 30 years ago I saw this on tv. I still recognize it and I'm still very impressed!
Live in Saint Louis, Missouri USA in 1972. I had just returned from a tour in Vietnam with the U.S. Army Infantry and Military Police... Mind blown.
Look at Cobham's smile. You'd think they'd tire of this, but he knows he's making history...doing what no one, no one has EVER done before.
JR...You can't describe it, and it can't be recreated. This era of MO was musical perfection, All the players in top form.
This line-up seemed to bring out the best in each other, holding nothing back.
That violin when kicks in around 3:55 - is just breath taking the whole solo. Wow!
+zilbe333 Jean-Luc Ponty is his name
+José Hernández
Although Ponty played with the Mahavishnu orchestra, this one is Jerry Goodman.
CountTepes
Thanks a lot to let me know, I was pretty sure he was Ponty, you know, first the blue violin, the way he plays, he is playing with the Mahavishnu, his physical appearance etc.
+José Hernández wrong. this is Jerry Goodman.. Jean Luc did not appear with Mahavishnu Orchestra until Visions of the Emerald Beyond.
Goodman is a long hair, JLP always kept it relatively short and wears a beard
+Janitor989 Thanks a lot to let me know, both of them are masters of the violin.
..Cobham's. a. BEAST!!!!!!!💯💯💯💯💗💗💗💗💗💗🖤🥁👑
I have never been as awestruck as I was the first time I saw this band. They were the "band to be named later", and I have never seen so many slackjawed people at the same time since this show, probably mid seventies. Incredible. Changed my perception of music.
Whew! That shit just never wears out. 100 years from now it will still sound fresh and still raise goose bumps! Wish there were more bands like this around today.
These guys just take your breath away. This, folks, is great music.
I have been drumming for years blindly not accepting all genres and styles until a few years ago and I just turned 24 and have been obsessing over Cobham and jazz and fusion players like Gary Novak and Miles Davis. Recently discovered the album Bitches Brew by Miles Davis and all I can say is atleast I found this music now and really appreciate all the talent and effort that goes into these players parts. It has definitely taken my playing so much further than it would have without! I just wish more of my generation appreciated musicians like this instead of praising idiots who have no musical ability =/
Birds Of Fire my friend.
Man oh man.....damn ! So awesome I've listened to it at least 10 straight times.
Every man in this original line-up of MO is a virtuoso in his own right. But additionally - their playing together was outstanding too. I am very satisfied listening to John`s suggestion of a lick at 1:40, played immediately by Jan at 1:41. This shows a harmony between bandmates, which is not heard every day.
Its insane how seamless that was
Gotta love Billy's joyful face in the beginning of the video.
Best jazz fusion group of all time.
They are one of the best bands on earth
in June of 1972, I went with my brother, my best friend and my girlfriend to see Mahavishnu perform at Princeton University. At the end of the show, my bro, me, and my pal were all high-fiving each other, out of our minds with joy. My girlfriend said, "It was too loud." I broke up with her the following week.
Glad to see all of the enthusiasm about MO! For those wanting to know more, I humbly suggest you check out the book I wrote 5 years ago called "Power, Passion and Beauty - The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra." Many of the questions asked in these comments are answered :-)
I have it. My favorite band ever. Changed my life. Saw them twice in early 70s. Shakti I saw at Montreux Jazz Festival 1976.
still amazing. This is jazz rock supreme
One of the best rock bands, hands down. You gotta love John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham (Panama rules!), Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman and Rick Laird (in that order). Ironically the Gibson SG double neck John McLaughlin played was purportedly rented (it was a very expensive instrument back in the day) and he was the best player on that instrument (I'm sorry, Jimmy Page). In addition, another irony, Jan Hammer didn't like the Fender Rhodes very much like Keith Jarret didn't when he played with Miles Davis. I don't why, since it's the most iconic instrument since the Fender Telecaster or Stratocaster.
+Juan Espinosa And let me add to that, John McLaughin was playing the 12 string most of the time. Classy!
+Juan Espinosa he and page are bad but mcglaughlin is much more advanced
and when the expensive double-neck guitar broke, the first band was over/came to a end. dag
I dont think you can say 'best' between Jimmy and John
Completely different things - Chalk & cheese
I know your comment is 2 years old but i gotta say. I love that u call MvORCH a rock band. i always thought Rock guys try to suggest that they are not cool enough, to be a rock band jazz guys i went to school with suggest they are outta control, to unorthadox to be called jazz, to me ,they were a progressive rock band that destroys all rock+jazz bands, Marshall turned up.
The interplay between musicians is what makes them shine individually. Without the violinist SHREADING like he did, Cobham would not have played like such a beast. He was supporting the soloist. I like McLaughlin because of the ideas that he contributes for the framework - his compositional ideas are very interesting.
Mos Def - Kalifornia
Perfect use of that smooth melody!
A friend of mine (Marcus) introduced me to John Mc back in 1973. I didn't get it at the time. I understand and SO appreciate this astronomic talent now. I was lucky to see the Mahavashnu Orchestra at Long Beach California around 1974. Jerry Goodman, Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, and John on the double neck. A Magical Eveving I will never forget.
I wish the studio version was like this extended live version, the musicians really got to GO OFF here.
The best group of jazz rock,salute of SPAIN
I'm 28 years old and I obviously wasn't even thought of when this song was made but it is nothing short of awesome! The melody is nothing short of hypnotizing and the drummer and violin section is crazy! Great music is eternal let this song live forever!
thtas rite youngster..one intelligent comment for once
If you want to really be amazed, please check out The Dance of Maya by Mahavishnu Orchestra. It is just amazing the complexitity of the rhythms, and the ease with which they improvise over it. Many of the comments on that song nail down the exact rhythmic pattern. It is so great to find young people that seek and appreciate good music of any time past and not the recycled trash that makes the greater part of what passes for music today. And don't even get me started about hip hop / rap / reggeton.
25 years old right here, and I really warmed up to this kind of music. At first, I must admit, I didn't "get" it. Then after a while, I started to enjoy the complexity and I started to notice just how great they all complement each other in this band.
As a fellow EDS-1275 guitar player, I admire John McLaughlin a lot for the fact he uses the thing for an entire set. The sound he gets from his double-necks is nothing short of amazing. My favorite song is Meeting of the Spirits, though. In that song, John creates fantastic sounds on his EDS-1275, and he switches between both necks a lot to get different sounds. Great stuff!
RealKobeBeanME3 Check out "Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin- 09/04/73- Santa Monica Ca." It's on YT. I believe he uses that same guitar. it's just amazing though, to listen to these two masters trading punches.
Hosea Bickerstaff A verbal and actual thumbs up for your comment- not because of your age (which is irrelevant) but because you've found the truth and appreciate this music.
Mahavishnu were one mind-blowing group!!! Amen to real musicianship! Once I was introduced to MO, I was hooked for life!!! Saw them whenever they played in the Hartford, CT area. I loved how they opened the concerts with a dark stage then you could faintly see McLaughlin appearing in all white-like the God of Guitar!!! A huge WOW to this wonderful video. Thnx for the "flashback"!! ;-), Oh yeah, thank you, Jose Molina Serrano for turning me on to them way bk then. P.S. Cobham ROCKS!!
Favourite song by Mahavishnu Orchestra. The violinist is wonderful here
+Ivan Groźny Jerry Goldman you mean?
Goodman.
Jerry's jamming on that violin like there's no tomorrow.
0:25 The happiest drummer in the world.
Ladies and Gentlemen: bass master Lee Sklar is in the house!! Great recollections, Sir thanks for sharing. "Jamming backstage with John" could only be said by very very few people on this planet. Oh! and as for 'Spectrum' what an amazing album that is. The bass line from 'Stratus' must be one of the most sampled/copied at the moment.
My Gawd!!! That's the most maniacal take on that (or any) MO tune I've heard to date.
Returned to see this 4 years later...always breathtaking.
Billy Cobham dr. ur.16.05.1944r. świętuje swoje urodziny, 100 lat i wszystkiego najlepszego drogi jubilacie !.
Saw John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra twice. Saw him again with Jean Luc Ponty and last playing acoustic with a string ensemble. All I can say is "Damn!"
Nice to see that, thanks to you folks posting on UA-cam, it isn't all lost.
Virtuosismo épico, digno de músicos legendarios, únicos en su especie.
there guys are from another planet........
I've loved Jerry Goodman since The Flock!
Miałem ich płytę mój tatulo Śp także skrzypek jak grałem ich płytę czy też Kansas przychodził do mego pokoju
I got to see Flock play live at the forerunner to Glastonbury [England] in 1970, at the Shepton Mallett Blues and Jazz[iirc] Festival. They had planned on 75k showing up, over 300 k actually did. A shy somewhat introverted 17 yo lad was in a different world there.
They are all master musicians but Cobham and Goodman is at the height of musicianship playing w. the same brutal intensity and eloquence
this is stellar.
One of the best versions of this song on UA-cam! Really great, would have loved to have been alive back then.
As a violin player, I was told to watch this video. It is funny, but I ask myself: Why on earth would somebody want to play violin like that man? Well, it's kind of like climbing Everest... Because it is physically possible, and the overall effect (the view from the top) would be espectacular. But how many steps would it take to get there. Well about as many notes as that blue violin guy playsin his solo. Wow, that's a lot of steps, climbing Everest.
+Jonathan Thompson hell yeah!!!
Not to make comparisons... but when I was young and first started listening to progressive jazz, I was fan of Jean Luc Ponty, and thought he was the epitome of jazz violin. I didn't discover this video until a few years ago, and was in awe of Jerry Goodman. Hopefully you will have similar experiences as you grow old. Makes life worth living!
+Mike Doro jean luc ponty, was discovered by Frank zappa,
@@troywilson747 are you now more john luc ponty...
Warmest thing ive heard in a while
Thanks for posting this timeless piece.
2023 and McLaughlin is still playing at this level
This was absolutely amazing.
I never get tired of listening to these guys... and I don't even like jazz.
But I am a musician and an artist. And when something is this awsome... I can't help but love it.
one of my top 5 songs ever . Hands down. LOVE IN SOUND
The violonist from Mahavishnu Orchestra is ''Jerry Goodman''.
Jean-Luc Ponty is another great violonist who has made Jazz fusion!
JLP played in MO (1974 & 75). Fyi.
I grew up in the same area of Chicago as Jerry Goodman, and got to see him start performing as a guitar player in a signed local band called the Flock. So proud of him to achieve this level of mastery, and creative beauty.
MR. BILLY COBHAM: The fastest drummer ever.
Super group . If they would have got Jaco on bass The awesomeness would have created the next Big Bang
My favourite drummer!
can i get this in lower quality please?
Cobham @ 8:00 oh my goodness.....EXPLODING ENERGY
Cobham was always a hard hitter!!!
Billy Cobham-father of modern drumset, he's got best sounding single stroke, left hand lead,technique,groove,time,numerous drum hardware inovations with Tama drums. Roots of Dennis,Simon and every gospel chop drummer today Billy and Tony changed world of drums forever!!!!
King Cobham!
I saw Mahavishnu for the first time at Princeton University one night in June 1972...we couldn't believe the AWESOIME power of the band, we all went crazy, and raced to Philadelphia the next night to see them again..
Billy Cobham = Pulsation & Precision....
This is the way I saw them in the 70's. Simple curtain backdrop, no flashy light show, just standing there blowing the collective brains of the audience.
This track (live and studio) really goes to show Cobham's ability. His drums really hold everything together and dictate the intensity of track. Without him switching things up every few bars, this one riff would probably get boring very fast
Ive died and gone to heaven,Fusion at its finest,need I say more?
thx Bazonics,u da mang!
"After Horace Silver, I was playing dates fundamentally on the same kind of drumset because you can put it on a plane or whatever, trap cases, then I got an opportunity to work with a band called Dreams and in that band we needed a 22" bass drum, not a 20". It was a single bass drum, everything else fundamentally stayed the same, 5½" snare drum, the toms were 14" and 16", there was no 18" at the time. Then along came Mahavishnu."
On his first album with the fusion giants, Cobham used the same single bass drum configuration but the success of the debut allowed him to experiment with two 22" bass drums for their second album. "That recording was Birds Of Fire," he says. "I'd never played two bass drums before in my life so it was about getting my head wrapped around why I needed another bass drum when I could hardly play the one I had. Because [guitarist and bandleader] John McLaughlin wanted it that badly, I took a shot and tried to learn what to do with it.
At first I thought I could woodshed, just put it into a room and practise alone. That was absolute lunacy because we were working all the time. Then I tried putting it in my hotel room but I couldn't get out of bed because the drums were getting in the way. I couldn't open the door to the room because of the drums, I had to take the drums and put them on the bed to get in. It didn't work.
So I decided to just put the bloody drums on the stage and let's see what happens. I've never looked back since. When you're on stage, trying your best not to make mistakes and look like an idiot, now you're thinking about what can I do? Sound-check becomes rehearsal, practice. They're setting up, my drums come up first and I'd just sit at the drums and figure out what the heck can I do with this thing! And as one became more accustomed to what's happening it became an integral part of what I do musically."
BIlly revolutionized drumming in a few days.....Incredible
Dreams wow Michael Breckers Dreams? My god you are amazing
I first heard this band in '72.The sound was so alien and strange and terrifyingly beautiful.They really did break new sonic ground.
Slint jazz!
So bombastically meditative
WOW!!! :)
That is why I always watch the drummer. Cobham must have dropped half his body weight in sweat in this song. The description playing as if his life depended is apt. Man I am inspired.
Mos def anyone ??
Yeah he sampled it for that Kalifornia track. That track put me on Mahavishnu when it came out back when I was in college.
+ Hugo Nongbri
Kalifornia by Mos Def was the sample that lead me to MO in the first place. I love music for connecting the dots and all you commenters for pointing me in the right direction
i discovered mahavishnu orchestra when i was about 16 and im 23 now and i still have yet to fine a band with such creativity and tightness as a band i love this song and many of there other songs they opened my eyes to jazz fusion and i have expanded more and had more joy of music due to them also if you like john mclauglin you should check out his indian work with a band called shakti brilliant
2:50 Guthrie Govan on violin.
+Vishi Kant ahahahah i wont be suprised at all :)
Sorry, he is Jerry Goodman. Guthrie Gowan was a child then.
Necat Sansal Govan*
And it was a joke.
Jerry Goodman, formerly of the Flock, from Chicago.
something i love about the internet, i can discover all types of great music made 40 years before i was born!
What energy Bill Codham. Just WOW my heart with those stricks of LOVE on those skins. Oh you are so magnificent. LOVE DRUMS, and OH how you can handle your delicious talent. TO the REST we love you to, but you must admit, Bill goes to town on his Skins and just steals our hearts. SORRY. YOU are all still loved, That blue violin (shouting out can you hear me now?) is really neat-Love blue.:) Keyboard, Guitars, you are a fantastically delicious band. LOVE YOU!!!!
The violinist and drums are very impressive and intense. Jean Lu ponty,& Billy Cobham. The whole group are amazing Musicians
Man this is mind-blowing. I had heard of the Mahavishnu Orchestra but I had never HEARD them. Wow.
I saw them live I think in '73 in Zurich, Switzerland - that exact line up! I was 12 at the time and it changed my life - I decided to become a professional musician (guitarist) which I am to this day...thanks so much for posting this! 5 stars! - Kaspar Galli
this song so good and emotional im almost coming to tears!! Lol that riff is just so much.
Wow! This is great stuff. Takes me back to when I saw them in NYC in the early seventies. One of my all time favorites. Way ahead of their time.
Over 30 years later I still get a goose bumps listening to this little number. I remember what I did when I heard it for the first time...
I saw the 1st MO in 72 and again in 73. They were just the most mind blowing thing happening in music.
I read an interview by Billy Cobham in some music magazine about 5 years ago. He said Vinnie Colaiuta was the drummer that all the young up and comings should be paying attention to as a player who had great command of a drumset.
I remember seeing them play this on TV in the 70s. It always blew me away. I always felt this was the epitome of musical achievement, of musical bliss, of playing at the very top of the game.
HAVE A LISTEN!!! The best fusion band from the 70's. Show me a band that can play as cohesive and jam out like this band did! They are all equally amazing!
Man, I love UA-cam! I grew up listening to (and still listen to) this band. I've seen Cobham about four times but never have seen McLaughlin or Mahavishnu. The audio is even not too bad on this cut.
Complicated simplicity - simply genius!!!!!