The Mahavishnu Orchestra-Visions Of The Emerald Beyond

Original

After a live album Mclaughlin disbanded the group and re-formed it a year later with new members. Jean-Luc Ponty fresh from his stint with Frank Zappa on violin,Gayle Moran on Keyboards,fellow Sri Chinmoy follower Narada Michael Walden on drums and bassist Ralphe Armstrong. After an album called Apocalypse performed with The London Symphony Orchestra which I had but didn’t like(Sold It) they put out this record arguably their best. The record is more Rock and Funk,less Jazz than their other records. “Eternity’s Breath(Part I and 2)” feature some vocals by Keyboard player Gayle Moran and an awesome guitar solo by McLaughlin. My favorite song by them. “Lila’s Dance” is another Rock oriented number similar to what Jeff Beck would release on his Wired album. The Funky “Can’t Stand Your Funk” is followed by “Pastoral” which is just that with Ponty’s violin taking the lead. That’s all on side one which is the one I always put on. Side two has some shorter songs in the same vein but also quite good. This line-up put out one more record in 1976 Inner Worlds that I also had but was sold even though it was pretty good. McLaughlin then formed Shakti with some Indian musicians. I did get to see John McLaughlin on a double bill with Chick Corea in 2006 or 7 at The Keswick Theatre. Quite an unfogetable show.

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