Billy Cobham and John McLaughlin are the greatest musicians on their respective instruments, ever. The music is a blend of jazz improvisation with Indian influences, incredible rhythms and pure creativity. They are beyond classification.
The Mahavishnu Orchestra were a jazz fusion band formed in New York City in 1971, led by English guitarist John McLaughlin. With its first line-up consisting of musicians Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman, and Rick Laird, the band received its initial acclaim for its complex, intense music consisting of a blend of Indian classical music, jazz and psychedelic rock, and its dynamic live performances between 1971 and 1973
Harri you definitely need to hear Mahavishnu's "Birds of Fire " from the album of the same name. In fact there are many amazing tracks on that album - " Thousand Island Park " is just lovely. " One Word " is a tour de force. And " Open Country Joy " IS a joy. But my fave is " Birds of Fire ". You won't regret it.
Had the pleasure of seeing them a couple of times. They were a Jazz Fusion group. The virtuosity of the musicians surpasses most Rock Bands. The Guitar player is in the background here but he is one of the best Guitar players ever. BillyCobham the drummer was a Force of Nature.
I never really understood why the necessity to place good music in a specific genre. When this music came out, there wasn't a name or genre for it. It was just great, unheard of music performed by master, upper echelon musicians. It still is to this day. Maybe it's just me. I just enjoy it for what it is, whatever you want to call it
Hard to describe. Metal Indian Jazz fusion. I'm a terrible McLaughlin fanboy, but am starting to think Billy Cobham was the biggest virtuoso in the band. But McLaughlin's solo on Birds of Fire literally gives me goose bumps 40+ years later. Also Rick Laird is typically overshadowed by the virtuosos on leads, but was great, and died in the last year or so. People should be aware.
Why does it need to be put into a category? Saw this band a couple of times in the early '70's. What an experience, a mystical experience each time. It was called "fusion". Incredible !!
When I was in college back in the 70's, Mahavishnu was the group I used when I wanted to get rock fans turned onto jazz. My favorite of theirs was the Birds of Fire album and Billy Cobham's Spectum and Shabazz albums. I never saw them as a group, but I did see Billy in concert a couple of times. What an extraordinary talent!
You have just touched foot into a deep, deep rabbit hole! John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Billy Cobham, Jerry Goodman and Rick Laird - this lineup was as deep as you can get. They were one of the first jazz-fusion groups on the scene, and one of the best IMO. Want more? Try; "The Noonward Race", "Birds Of Fire", "Can't Stand Your Funk". Then switch gears to Billy Cobham's "Heather" or "Snoopy's Search". Or a little bit of Jan's "Darkness/Earth in Search of a Sun". I could go on and on...
you're the first person i've come across that has reacted to the orchestra and i applaud you for your leadership and forward thinking. the feeling i get when i listen to them is the same as when i watch the sky on a cold, moonless night. the great spirit takes my heart and mind somewhere between nothingness and eternity.
I saw jazz-fusion guitarist Mahavishnu John McLaughlin with Carlos Santana on tour for their 'Love Devotion Surrender' album in '74 in Toronto. The band included this drummer, the astounding Billy Cobham, bassist Doug Rauch, organist Larry Young and percussionist Armando Peraza. The most staid, establishment paper in town, in the country, spoke of the "sense of nobility" in McLaughlin's playing. Santana was Santana, and his playing was fine, lovely. McLaughlin was godly, rocking back and forth with his double-neck guitar for uncounted minutes, in the words of an MO album title, 'Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love' flying from his fingers and amps. I'd never witnessed anything remotely like it, nor have I since.
Saw this band in 1973. Nothing has come near to them since. The later band 1974 on- not the same energy- they never do. Their albums were to be found under jazz in 1971 at first then Jazz/Rock fusion of Rock by 1973. You cannot believe how popular they were in 1973- sell out tours all over the world. Kids had better brains then. Most kids now have dead brains. Great reaction- Many thanks.
"Jazz isn't dead. It just smells funny." ~ Frank Zappa, 1973
Billy Cobham and John McLaughlin are the greatest musicians on their respective instruments, ever. The music is a blend of jazz improvisation with Indian influences, incredible rhythms and pure creativity. They are beyond classification.
The Mahavishnu Orchestra were a jazz fusion band formed in New York City in 1971, led by English guitarist John McLaughlin. With its first line-up consisting of musicians Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman, and Rick Laird, the band received its initial acclaim for its complex, intense music consisting of a blend of Indian classical music, jazz and psychedelic rock, and its dynamic live performances between 1971 and 1973
Harri you definitely need to hear Mahavishnu's "Birds of Fire " from the album of the same name. In fact there are many amazing tracks on that album - " Thousand Island Park " is just lovely. " One Word " is a tour de force. And " Open Country Joy " IS a joy. But my fave is " Birds of Fire ". You won't regret it.
Had the pleasure of seeing them a couple of times. They were a Jazz Fusion group. The virtuosity of the musicians surpasses most Rock Bands. The Guitar player is in the background here but he is one of the best Guitar players ever. BillyCobham the drummer was a Force of Nature.
I never really understood why the necessity to place good music in a specific genre. When this music came out, there wasn't a name or genre for it. It was just great, unheard of music performed by master, upper echelon musicians. It still is to this day. Maybe it's just me. I just enjoy it for what it is, whatever you want to call it
Hard to describe. Metal Indian Jazz fusion. I'm a terrible McLaughlin fanboy, but am starting to think Billy Cobham was the biggest virtuoso in the band. But McLaughlin's solo on Birds of Fire literally gives me goose bumps 40+ years later. Also Rick Laird is typically overshadowed by the virtuosos on leads, but was great, and died in the last year or so. People should be aware.
Why does it need to be put into a category? Saw this band a couple of times in the early '70's. What an experience, a mystical experience each time. It was called "fusion". Incredible !!
Apparently John McLaughlin gave some lessons to a young Jimmy Page back in the day.
A religious experience seeing them live. While quite different you may be up for the Dixie Dregs.
I'm sure you know by now how "Groundbreaking" Maha was in the world of Jazz Fusion and how every member was Top in his musical craft !! 👍🎼🎸🎹🥁🎻🎛🎶✌
When I was in college back in the 70's, Mahavishnu was the group I used when I wanted to get rock fans turned onto jazz. My favorite of theirs was the Birds of Fire album and Billy Cobham's Spectum and Shabazz albums. I never saw them as a group, but I did see Billy in concert a couple of times. What an extraordinary talent!
Billy Cobham is a monster drummer. That lineup oozes with talent. Standing O for sure!!!!
You have just touched foot into a deep, deep rabbit hole! John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Billy Cobham, Jerry Goodman and Rick Laird - this lineup was as deep as you can get. They were one of the first jazz-fusion groups on the scene, and one of the best IMO. Want more? Try; "The Noonward Race", "Birds Of Fire", "Can't Stand Your Funk". Then switch gears to Billy Cobham's "Heather" or "Snoopy's Search". Or a little bit of Jan's "Darkness/Earth in Search of a Sun". I could go on and on...
you're the first person i've come across that has reacted to the orchestra and i applaud you for your leadership and forward thinking. the feeling i get when i listen to them is the same as when i watch the sky on a cold, moonless night. the great spirit takes my heart and mind somewhere between nothingness and eternity.
I saw jazz-fusion guitarist Mahavishnu John McLaughlin with Carlos Santana on tour for their 'Love Devotion Surrender' album in '74 in Toronto. The band included this drummer, the astounding Billy Cobham, bassist Doug Rauch, organist Larry Young and percussionist Armando Peraza. The most staid, establishment paper in town, in the country, spoke of the "sense of nobility" in McLaughlin's playing. Santana was Santana, and his playing was fine, lovely. McLaughlin was godly, rocking back and forth with his double-neck guitar for uncounted minutes, in the words of an MO album title, 'Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love' flying from his fingers and amps. I'd never witnessed anything remotely like it, nor have I since.
Next stop
You're in territory that most rock fans are not familiar with. I love it!
Saw this band in 1973. Nothing has come near to them since. The later band 1974 on- not the same energy- they never do. Their albums were to be found under jazz in 1971 at first then Jazz/Rock fusion of Rock by 1973. You cannot believe how popular they were in 1973- sell out tours all over the world. Kids had better brains then. Most kids now have dead brains. Great reaction- Many thanks.
I’m going to see John and his band The Fourth Dimension at the end of this month. He’s eighty now, and still incredible.