I’m inspired to post this for two reasons: (1) My John McLaughlin book Kickstarter campaign closed today, having been successful (hurrah!); (2) just at the moment, I’m taking a breather from (i.e. procrastinating) doing something far more mundane. Which is why we’re all here…
The last chapter I wrote for the book was based around a chap who stumbled on the Mahavishnu Orchestra doing an afternoon show at a small college in New York State on May 14 1972, and whose life was changed as a result. The following day, the ‘Vish were at another academic premises in New York, Hunter College, following the great Judy Collins. By chance, WBAI radio broadcast the show and someone was there with a video camera, possibly from Columbia Records, possibly filming a prospective promo clip – nobody knows.
I’ve been enjoying the WBAI audio while doing the mundane stuff. I’ll post it below. Meanwhile, here is a glimpse of Judy Collins in 1972, followed by that mysterious ‘Vish video clip from that very day. Regrettably, the Mahavishnu Orchestra never appeared on Sesame Street, while it remains unknown as to whether Judy’s act at Hunter College involved any Muppets. when you were going on before the MO, I imagine you needed all the help you could get.
As promised, here is the FM audio – it’s terrific!
Well, Colin. Hats off!
I have no interest in the Mahivishnu Orchestra (other jazz noodlings are available I believe) but hearty congrats on your KickStarter success.I wouldn’t know how to start or have the wherewithal to even contemplate it so its brilliant news!
Yours
Freddy (not my actual name)
Thank you Fred! I had little idea how it would pan out, or how it worked, myself. Maybe in the two-week pledger triage period, which seems to be the present state, I will find out that it all falls apart…
But Fredster, you may find out there’s not *that* much jazz noodling in my JMcL books. There’s a fair amount of London in the 60s. In fact, I have a suspicion that if I’d titled the first McL book ‘London In The 60s: A trip through its musical scenes with John McLaughlin’, cut the last third, and tweaked the rest very slightly, I’d probably have sold twice as many!
The trouble is Colin H, if I ever see or hear the words John McLaughlin ever, I think of you, of the Mav (?) and of noodling. That’s bad isn’t it!?
I should seek professional help.
Alternatively, a bit of McLaughlin History Therapy might help. Here’s his first appearance on record, Tony Meehan’s ‘Song of Mexico’:
And here he is on a bit of blistering British soul in 1966, Herbie Goins’ ‘No.1 In Your Heart:
And here he is being poptastic with Jones the Voice:
Looks like a young Jeremy Paxman!
I do like a decent and inspired double-bill. einstürzende neubauten (not so ironic now, eh?) and Showwaddywaddy was one, Iggy and the Stooges supported by the hare Krishna group another.
There were a lot of these dreary folkies (sorry, but to me they are) supporting progressive or rock acts in the 70s as I recall; must have been cheap to tour for them and they didnt mess with the headliner’s gear.
Congratulations on the Kickstarter campaign!
John McLaughlin is on the cover of Jazz Times this month. 6 page interview.
Thanks Steve. I must check it out. Annoyingly, I think one can only get Jazz Times in Belfast at one store in the city centre – it’s a chore getting there and I was there today, for the first time in weeks, to look for a different mag… I was, though, able to include a quote from another current JM interview in the book – from the current edition of ‘Prog’.
I don’t buy the magazine, but I can get it on the Readly app on my phone or tablet. There doesn’t seem to be a way to copy any of the mag, but if you try this link
https://on.readly.com/us!hi8O60022E1
Hitting previous and next gives you the whole interview but it’s probably too small to read. I don’t know if there’s a way to enlarge it.
You’re right Steve – too small to read. I’ll just have to trek back into town…
Just adding my congrats, on your successful crowdfunding.
As the chicken said to the librarian, “Book!, Book!, Book!”
Congrats.
I heard an interview with the great Andy Partridge a while ago where he declared his favourite album of all time was the brilliantly named ‘Emergency!’ by The Tony Williams Lifetime- featuring yr man on guitar.
Here’s the interview – the specific bit is from 01h:55m
I have to say that in spite of all Colin’s efforts I’ve resisted all things Mahavishnu so far – however Andy talks this record up very well and if you’re an XTC/Partridge fan like me you’ll want to hear it.
So a couple of weeks ago I was in the excellent Skeleton Records in Birkenhead of all places, and sure enough he had a copy on CD for a fiver. Partridge describes it really well – it’s an amazing record although I like it best when the noodling stops and the trio play these sort of weird, art-rock songs – like this:
This is my fave from ‘Emergency!’, the atypical ‘Via The Spectrum Road’. Reviewers at the time really hated Tony’s vocals…
I like the vocal tracks best on this record- I’m not a Jazz or Fusion expert but this album fits with my love for 70s Art Rock and actually in places is a lot easier on the ears than a lot of This Heat, Henry Cow, Art Bears etc
There’s an extended Bill Laswell remix album called “Redux” (inc. unreleased boni) that sounds just fantastic.
What I want to know is, why has nobody ever played a double necked violin?
I believe Eddie Jobson had a mainly perspex electric violin / viola, but a bizarre accident saw the bow fired off sideways, taking his then bandmate Phil Manzanera’s wacky glasses off. Jobson’s violin received the red card from Bryan Ferry, and bowing to the inevitable, Eddie retired the instrument.
I think I can help you there… L Shankar, once of Shakti, plays a double necked violin. And does so as amazingly as you would expect. From the sound, it seems one neck is the cell range, the other the violin range:
But Steve Kindler, formerly of Mahavishnu Orchestra MkII, has a leaner solution: a 9 string violin covering both cello and violin ranges. Also brilliant…