THE MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA - VITAL TRANSFORMATION | REACTION

[@guitgas]

The Mahavishnu Orchestra was an inspiration to Carlos Santana and many other musicians.

[@chrishoff5291]

Santana blew up Woodstock two years before this album was released and Santana third landmark album was released weeks after this.

[@paulhughes2317]

Yes, the Orchestra inspired Santana.

[@princegiles9309]

@@paulhughes2317 how was that when they came out a few years before that doesn't make any sense guys need to stop it

[@paulhughes2317]

@@princegiles9309 I am not at all sure what you are trying to say?

[@tomn9094]

Probably not micheal jackson.

[@jerrythiel9343]

Jeff Beck always said he wanted to be able to play like John MchLaughlin, but he never could make it...Billy Cobham is totally another level as far as a jazz drummer goes, one of, if not the best in that field.

[@BarbarraBay]

❤❤

[@edalisauskas7313]

You can hear where Dixie Dregs got their influence Mahavishnu were a MAJOR influence on many fusion players. One of THE Big jazzrock groups in the 70s, along with Weather Report Return to Forever John McLaughlin (the guitar player and leader) is a legend and has influenced so many players Dive in, Tre. Lots of great stuff from them FYI, Billy Cobham (drummer) is still out there playing at age 80!! Check him out if he comes to your area. Good guy as well He had a fairly successful solo career (Spectrum)

[@scottlaughlin9897]

This is the perfect example of why Billy Cobham is one of my favorite drummers!

[@charlyhrs]

AND WHY HE IS MY FAVORITE DRUMMER PERIOD

[@knawl]

Yeah when you get to that level there is no best but Cobham is one of the greats for sure

[@MCJ2527]

Your wife was such a good sport for listening! Be careful. The jazz fusion of that time period was not for the faint of heart.

[@scottmcgregor4829]

I know that look in the eyes of his wife. My wife gets the same look in her eyes. It's like the joke, What do you call the spouses or significant other's of a fan who goes to a prog or jazz fusion concert??? Answer. Hostages.😂😂

[@Steeyuv]

‘Hostages’ - I am stealing that one! Damn near wet myself! Incredible band but my wife never, ever ‘got’ them.

[@bernardkelly9708]

That is funny.

[@jonathonrose5141]

Haha ya my wife loves a lot of prog stuff. But I've never converted her to jazz either.

[@antoniomonsanto3925]

This is 1971. They are fire! Love it. John Mchlauglin on guitar and Billy Cobham on drums are the "main stars" on this MO line-up. Rick Laird on bass, Jan Hammer on keys, and Jerry Godman violin. I would suggest U to check on them out live, either this or other line-up; Narada Michael Walden also a huge huge drummer who have been with MO as well.

[@brianmurray5055]

John McLaughlin (guitarist for Mahavishnu) did an album with Santana called A love supreme.

[@larrywalker5374]

The album was called Love Devotion and Surrender.

[@robinreiley1828]

Love Devotion and Surrender was the name of the album, A Love Supreme was a song cover they did by John Coltrane l, best concert I ever saw!

[@duncanshimmin6730]

Also played on Flame Sky on Santana's welcome album - worth catching that too

[@jdekalb]

Yea, listen to that song A Love Supreme and hold on!

[@frederickpando9444]

They recorded two albums. The one you stated under Jon's name and the other under Carlos Santana's name titled "Welcome." They also toured together to promote the albums. @@robinreiley1828

[@waldorfstatler3129]

As YES is to the progressive world, Mahavishnu Orchestra is to the jazz rock/fusion world. They are up there on another level. They are a musician's musicians. There is not much I could say that others here have not already said. Back in 1971, I bought their first album The Inner Mounting Flame and was blown away by the energy and musicianship. What I didn't realise is that I had heard John McLaughlin before on Miles Davis' 1970 album Bitches Brew. Indeed, Billy Cobham (drummer) played on a track on that album along with other great drummers Jack DeJohnette and Lenny White (Return To Forever). Thank you Miles! 😊😎 I think I was one of your subscribers who recommended this band a year or so ago. Anyway, glad you have discovered them. Now, check out their essential albums The Inner Mounting Flame, Birds Of Fire, Between Nothingness and Eternity (Live), Visions of the Emerald Beyond and The Lost Trident Sessions. Other good albums are Apocalypse and Inner Worlds.

[@realbser1956]

They’re that good. Masters of the craft of jazz fusion. Kudos to Dee for sitting through this one. Not one I would have started with but a classic nonetheless. Billy Cobham on drums, one of the best to ever pick up a pair of sticks. You reacted to him a while back from his first solo album Spectrum. You should go back to that reaction to see what you thought of Billy back then.

[@aldobelli8300]

I was introduced to John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra while living in Australia in the mid 70's. Loved everything they did.

[@GreggOliverBass]

YOu have to hit Mahavishnu Orchestra's Birds of Fire (the song and the album have the same name)

[@robote7679]

Figure this is a 50 year old cut too. This was the band that really launched fusion. The drummer Billy Cobham was the drum god of this time. Power, musicality, technicality. The first time I saw him I had no idea and I think he's still blowing my mind 5 decades later. Fun reaction.

[@knawl]

Early for sure but Miles davis was getting into this before Mahavishnu Orchestra and McLaughlin played guitar for him before forming The Mahavishnu Orchestra

[@robote7679]

@@knawl Yeah, "Bitches Brew" was probably the album that started it all and what a cast of players Miles assembled for that! Thanks.

[@56dinosaur]

This music (from the early 1970's) was from the heyday of Jazz-Rock Fusion. Guitarist John McLaughlin and drummer Billy Cobham previously worked for legendary trumpeter Miles Davis. Nuff said?

[@marrkhicks]

This is sublime musicianship

[@kima.4268]

Back in the 80's, I dated a guy with a music major from UCLA. He introduced me Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jean Luc Ponty with and w/o Mahavishnu, Gentle Giant, Peter Gabriel (solo), Yes, Genesis (Foxtrot) with Gabriel, all kinds of excellent musicians. I am grateful to this day!

[@waynedefrancesco4423]

Shoulda married him. 😅

[@melvinwomack3717]

That drummer is Bill Cobham

[@TheDavidfallon]

It's in 9/8. Billy Cobham is the boss. 1971 was a great year for music. "Featuring an international lineup of virtuoso musicians (English guitarist John McLaughlin, Irish bassist Rick Laird, Panamanian-American drummer Billy Cobham, Czech-American keyboardist Jan Hammer and American violinist Jerry Goodman), the self-styled orchestra performed musical acrobatics whose listeners are still trying to catch their breath 50 years later."

[@stringrip]

R.I.P Rick Laird. Billy Cobham left Panama when he was 3 years old.

[@fearlessfruge6445]

1971 was a great year, i graduated high school. And saw mahavisnu open for emerson lake & palmer at long beach, blew me away from opening note. Also saw mahavisnu later in the week at the whiskey on sunset blvd.

[@DeggeJames]

I had a private drum lesson from Billy Cobham. I saw the original Mahavishnu Orchestra in 1973 in Austin Texas

[@spiderbass65]

Billy Cobham is one of the greatest drummers ever! He and Bill Bruford. The guitarist, John McGlaughlin has a great album with Carlos Santana.

[@heatherperleberg7816]

You mentioning Bruford... a man after my own heart.

[@richardmalmberg7722]

Agree. Don’t forget Tony Williams. Another Miles alum on the jazz side.

[@CadillacL]

The whole cd is amazing.

[@fenderchamp8241]

The one from this album in You Know, You Know. Fusion Bliss

[@randykasky7120]

I first seen them in 73 when they opened for ELP and blew the audience away. I had never heard of them until then but the next year I bought tickets to see them in a smaller venue where they were the main act. It was a magical evening they kept the whole audience in awe. Carlos Santana studied with John McLaughlin in the mid 70s and released and album "Love supreme"

[@larrywalker5374]

The first time I saw them was in 1970 when they opened for Zappa. They blew me away.

[@JWNanaimo]

Zappa and McLaughlin..yikes!…add Hendrix to the mix and it’s guitar nirvana…imho

[@peterharley8408]

At Winterland in SF many people left after the first ELP nimber Not in the same league

[@lvbbbasdsjcjm]

My bandmates (high school at the time, 1971) went to that concert. On the Monday following they told me about how this opening band, Mahavishnu Orchestra, were completely amazing. Our drummer, who was totally committed to his instrument (lessons, constant practicing), never spoke excitedly about any musician, but with band he said it was the most incredible, complicated music he had ever heard. After practice, I rode my bike to the record store and bought "The Inner Mounting" (it was that or "My Goals Beyond", which of course I later bought). Truly, with no bullshit nor hyperbole, what a life altering moment it was hearing the first chords of "meeting of the Sprits" (like hearing Beethoven and Coltrane). Been a dedicated "fan" of McLaughlin ever since.

[@phillipschuman4307]

@@lvbbbasdsjcjm I had My Goals Beyond first (after hearing McLaughlin's 'Devotion' solo album, and hearing him with Miles on In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew and Live Evil). When I first heard Inner Mounting Flame, I was convinced NOBODY could play that ensemble stuff so fast and so tight, live. Figured it had to be many many takes maybe mixed together in the studio (like Miles did on Bitches Brew). So I went to see them live, and they played the entire album straight through.... but FASTER! Saw them many times afterwards, including with the second Mahavishnu Orchestra lineup (Jean Luc Ponty on violin instead of Jerry Goodman, new drummer and bassist).

[@musicairplanes4884]

The era of fusion. Check out the band Return to Forever.

[@godbluffvdgg]

Great suggestion...One of the great fusion bands and I love mahavishnu but; Stanley, Al Dimeola, Chick Corea, Lenny White...Absolute wall of sound...Romantic Warrior is amazing...

[@musicairplanes4884]

@@godbluffvdgg I am 71 and they play the most complicated music I have ever heard. Was lucky enough to see them live a couple of times and it was mind blowing. Funny thing is in looking back I think Zappa had a huge influence in creating this genre'.

[@melvinwomack3717]

@@godbluffvdgg Al de Meola is a guitar God ⚡🔥

[@godbluffvdgg]

@@musicairplanes4884 I understand about FZ having a big influence on Fusion, but, it's the other way around...Mahavishnu opened for Frank, back in the day and Frank was BLOWN away by their power...It changed him; Ruth Underwood talks about it in the Drummers of Frank Zappa doc by Bozzio...I would say Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis,and Herbie Hancock were the true influencers...:)

[@godbluffvdgg]

@@melvinwomack3717 When he was at his peak in the 70's, he was so well regarded...Now very few even know who he is...:)...Glad there's still a few of us around...I saw a Britney Spear video yesterday that had almost a BILLION views...smh...A sad commentary on the poor taste of society, in general...

[@waltw4537]

Saw Mahavishnu Orchestra at SUNY New Paltz decades ago. Wow what a show! Energy level was amazing. Good for you to react to these musicians.

[@melvinwomack3717]

Most of these guys played with Miles Davis

[@godbluffvdgg]

I hope he gets into some Herbie Hancock and Miles...Composers extraordinaire.

[@richgaluppo4417]

Wrong, Rick Laird and Jan never played with Miles

[@melvinwomack3717]

@@richgaluppo4417 well I stand corrected sir.thanks for the info 👍🏾

[@shasba]

The MIles Davis Bitches Brew sessions was a the crucible that created "Jazz Fusion" and bands like Mahavishnu, Return to Forever, Weather Report, and more. I was fortunate enough to have bought all those albums when they came out and seen all those bands in concert. It was life changing and still sound fresh today as it was back then. John McLaughlin has not stood still and at almost 80 yo he is playing better than ever!

[@grandwazoodebris1015]

Don't be frustrated by Billy Cobham, he's the of best drummers ever, true elite, don't worry about it. Another drum feature song by Mahavishnu Orchestra is One Word, give it a listen sometime. Mahavishnu John Mclaughlin was the band leader, and was maybe the original guitar shredder, fast, crazy wide understanding of different musical styles, improviser. Rick Laird, the bassist, died a year or 2 ago, RIP. FYI the first 2 Mahavishnu albums were stone cold classics. The guitar solo of Birds of Fire song still gives me goose bumps 40+ years after I first heard it, give that a listen sometime. After Mahavishnu, Mclaughlin went DEEP into Indian music for a few years. Give a listen to that band Shakti doing Joy (live) or Face to Face.

[@charleshefner9013]

Saw them in 71 and i was blown away. One of the best bands i have ever seen.

[@asteverino8569]

Wow! Thanks for showcasing this, you two. I had this LP in the early 70's Also saw them live back then. I was blown way away. To me it is jazz, rock, spiritual fusion.

[@knawl]

Yeah saw them in a Club called the keystone in Palo Alto California,

[@commentatron]

Check out, _The Dance of Maya_ on this album (Inner Mounting Flame). I'd forgotten all about Jan Hammer being in this line-up, too. Also, the track, _You Know, You Know_ is the Billy Cobham centerpeice.

[@mrgoneshouse3663]

I bought this album when I was 12, and never looked back....Billy Cobham on drums...you reacted to him a while back

[@bzbzob]

Oh man, I am sure I had mentioned this, thanks for doing it! Is this your first Mahavishnu? You will have a lot to deal with from now on keep them coming!! Congrats!! McLaughlin is the Godfather of Guitar Fusion, still yet to be equalled too, IMO...

[@tonyjohnson1405]

Connection with Carlos Santana is both devotees of Shri Chimnoy... and did do an album together.. Love Devotion Surrender...Billy Cobham is GOAT.. and inspired me to take up drums as a life style 😁.. first heard this under my pillow on my tiny transistor radio..on the BBC John Peel show... I went and bought it the next day..!!!

[@zunbake3]

Was lucky to see Mahavishnu John many times with Santana in the 70's. Cobham was the most powerful drummer I ever saw live.

[@pcraig1383]

First time i heard Billy Cobham was on an album by a band named Dreams ('70) that included the Brecker Brothers.

[@robertsullivan6246]

9/8 time. John McLaughlin (guitarist, composer band leader) and Billy Cobham (drummer) had just come off playing for a few years with Miles Davis. Miles instructed John to form his own band, and this is the result.

[@davidburton9136]

The whole band is several levels above really good, aren't they? What drumming superstar Billy Cobham is doing here through most of the song is just laying out a groove. It's just that the groove this song calls for is extremely fast and very complex, and he plays it super-solid. And then those otherworldly fills he plays show why he's considered perhaps the best. I only got to see him once, when he had his own band. He opened for the Mahavishnu Orchestra in their then new configuration.

[@Tr1hawaii]

Amazing that this was reviewed, but as a skin player, I see how you dug it!! THANK YOU! Absolutely an amazing band… \m/ \m/ Good job Dee for hanging in there (-:

[@fords_nothere_100]

One of my truly favorite and most treasured albums. And perhaps the most energetic track from this intro. Lucky for you there is tons more of not just this band but almost every musician you hear (drummer Billy Cobham, keyboard Jan Hammer, violin- Jerry Goodman - later Jean Luc Ponty, bass Rick Laird and the band leader/guitarist John McLaughlin who is still performing and recording today). There are some other great tracks in Inner Mounting Flame but also each of their other releases. Enjoy! And thanks for reminding of what it was like when I first heard this!! 😶

[@rubenmedina326]

im so glad to see young People whom apreciated Music made with such dedication and Love , they made that a very long time ago , some greats still around playing today , the name came from India , musicians are American , England , Mr. Billy Cobham in drums from Panama , those guys are talented and bright , Mr John Mc. Laughlin ( guitar ) its been playing a lot with Carlos Santana .

[@marcrogers1051]

The main intro groove is in 9/8. You should check out Celestial Terrestrial Commuters, it's in 19/16.

[@micko11154]

John McLaughlin on guitar, Jerry Goodman on violin, Jan Hammer on keys, Rick Laird on bass and Billy Cobham on drums. August 1971. Great choice, you need to hear all their stuff. Cheers and thanks m8!

[@Bear78420]

Ma-ha-vish-nu ☺️ there’s an AMAZING concert with this guitar player, John McLaughlin (sp?), paco de Lucia and Al de mailo (sp?) in 1978. All playing acoustic guitars, flamenco style. It’s literally a gathering of masters. Whether to react to it or just for yourself, LOOK IT UP. Album is called Friday night in SF live. Just listen to the first song!!

[@timgrady4630]

Saw them in '76 . They were THAT good . Billy Cobham at the drumkit .

[@jibsmokestack1]

Wouldn’t Narada Walken have been the drummer. Pretty sure this band was done by 76

[@glenndespres5317]

Chod. I don’t want you to bail on this band based on this song. As with most bands there is an evolution of their sound. What you heard has been called their ‘’ pyrotechnics” phase. Virtuoso from all band members but not easy listening at all. I have urged so many reactors to get to two of their later albums; Visions of the Emerald Beyond and Apocalypse performed with the London Symphony Orchestra. And there are plenty of great videos out there of live stuff. Check some out! Great stuff and so happy you continued with your channel!

[@DrummerDanVa]

I saw them live around 1972 or 1973. Billy Cobham playing those clear Fibes drums was a force of nature. It was an unforgetable experience.

[@louisgreen3915]

For those who are not in the know. You know when audiences at a concert hold up their lighters and wave it from right to left. Well the Mahavishnu audiences were the first to do it due to this album cover of "The Inner Mounting Flame". Then it got taken up by every big gig after that. It's all in the book about this band.

[@donnielsen154]

these guys have been around for 50 years -first concert I saw as a teen in 1975 with Billy Cobham on drums, Jan Hammer on keybioards et al,..................

[@robinreiley1828]

Best show I ever saw ( I was a Union Stagehand for 30 years and worked 10's of thousands of shoes) was the Love Devotion and Surrender Tour with John McLaughlin and Carlos Santana, Indescribable!

[@jibsmokestack1]

Seeing someone hear this for the first is super satisfying to this jazz fan!

[@normanrose2711]

please do Billy Cobham's songs from his solo work. try Taurian Matador, Moon Germs, Lunarputians and Total Eclipse

[@charlyhrs]

YOU ALREADY REACTED TO THE DRUMMER ON THIS BEFORE...REMEMBER STRATUS BY BILLY COBHAM??? BILLY COBHAM IS THE ORIGINAL DRUMMER FOR THE FIRST (AND THE BEST) MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA...ABOUT 3 OR SO YEARS LATER HE WOULD RECORD AND RELEASE SPECTRUM HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM. BILLY COBHAM DRUMS, JOHN MCLAUGHLIN GUITAR, JAN HAMMER KEYS, THE LATE RICK LAIRD ON BASS AND THE GREAT JERRY GOODMAN ON ELECTRIC VIOLIN. AND ONE MORE THING....THEY WERE ONE OF THE FIRST GROUPS TO PLAY JAZZ-ROCK OR FUSION AND PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE ELSE FOLLOWED. THE ALBUM YOU JUST LISTENED TO WAS FROM 1970-71. IMHO THEY WERE THE FIRST AND THE BEST OF ALL THE JAZZ FUSION GROUPS AND LIVE NO ONE COULD TOUCH THEM. BTW 9/8 TIME SIGNATURE

[@romaneberle]

5:05 "Devadip" Carlos Santana and "Mahavishnu" John McLaughlin both studied with guru Sri Chinmoy. they also made a record together, it's called "Love, Devotion, Surrender" (1973).

[@Pablopax4]

It took a lot to impress Frank Zappa but after he saw them live his band's lineup changed almost overnight. According to Ruth, his percussionist who was beside him, he was dumbstruck..

[@bobgarr6246]

Billy Cobham and drums.......... enough said!!!

[@godbluffvdgg]

Inner Mounting Flame needs to be heard at least ten times in a row to really appreciate it...Billy at his peak...Since you're touching on Fusion...You might like Phil Collins's band Brand X...Product, unorthodox behavior, Moroccan Roll...All musicians hitting on all cylinders...Visnu; it's this, visions of the emerald Beyond and Birds of Fire...That's literally YEARS of listening...I've been jamming to them for decades...

[@micko11154]

OMG yes!!! My fave Brand X album is Masques. Although it's after Mr Collins left the band. Cheers!

[@godbluffvdgg]

@@micko11154 :)...Yeah, Masques is amazing too..Still has Goodsall and Percy though...So, it retained that Brand X sound...Cheers!

[@micko11154]

@@godbluffvdgg Jones and Goodsall are awesome!

[@stevevasell429]

You must please check out the tune " Birds of Fire" from the album of the same name. That album is awesome and my favorite work by the mahavishnu orchestra. Any piece frpm that album will delight you.

[@grandwazoo870]

Check out Miles Davis Jack Johnson soundtrack. It will melt your brain in a good way. This Jack Johnson was heavyweight champion of the world.

[@varsitycamplife]

Billy Cobham was the drummer King in the 70’s. He was busting down doors to the future. Pivotal band… so very influential.

[@davidspalten1304]

Defeinitely worth a deeper dive. Many great numbers in their catalogue.

[@charleshefner9013]

Excellent comments. All of them and they are wonderful. The story begins with Miles Davis.

[@AdventureswithRayMoe]

an amazaing album...It was life changing back in 1971

[@eggburtdilusia9599]

Thanks for reviewing this amazing work! Just a quick bit of info: John McGlaughlin - taught- Carlos Santana how to do this. JM also taught other prominent guitarists of his day, for example Jimmy Page (Of Led Zeppelin fame). Finally, JM learned from Miles Davis (as did most of his group), and Miles Davis was responsible for so many innovations, that the cannot be mentioned here. Try reading a biography of Miles Davis, and suddenly you will see all kinds of names crop up: John Maclaughlin, Bill Cobb, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, to name a few...

[@humphrysr]

Follow your ears to Tony Williams’s lifetime. He worked for Miles Davis. A real resume builder. Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin were both very spiritual.

[@bookhouseboy280]

Williams' Emergency with McLaughlin is a groundbreaking fusion album.

[@humphrysr]

@@bookhouseboy280 Exactly right. Saw the Emergency band in a small kiva on a local campus Tony Williams was so small, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, the solo he did to warm up still gives me goose bumps. Serious drum stud

[@jibsmokestack1]

As a fellow drummer your face 3 seconds in is all out faces when we first hear Cobham’s greatness!

[@vagremlin]

Please listen to Billy Cobham Stratus from Spectrum album.

[@TheTaconator69er]

Ha ha... just use the search and find the many LIVE renditions of these guys playing. They Improvise SOOO good, they will almost make you want to give up and stop playing. The only thing that is lucky for you,... they go over almost everybody's head and most people cannot handle listening to it. But to those of us that play... and admire good musicianship.... they are mind-blowers. Also, check out Billy Cobham's solo stuff too.

[@ianhepplewhite8334]

John McLaughlin is English and played with Miles Davis, who named a track on his ‘Bitches Brew’ album John McLaughlin’, but eventually Miles said John should form his own band and this was the outcome. This was their first album, I think, released in 1971. Best for me since Cream.

[@larrywalker5374]

One of my favorite albums is Birds of Fire. Check it out.

[@Unibabble]

Billy Cobham was amazing. I once read that he used to put heavy weights in his kick drum to keep it from moving when he played because he was so physical, and that he'd work out with the weights between shows on tour. Anyone who's seen photos of him in those days knows that he was a big dude too, so I believe it! I always wish that the production on this album was better, but even so, it's pretty amazing. It's like a mad jam session on steroids.

[@MisterWondrous]

Lots of great suggestions in the comment section, but let the second the ones that mention John McLaughlin, Billy Cohham & Santana's exuberant homage to Meister John Coltrane of Hamlet, North Carolina. All people from North Carolina are special, but John was extry special, as we say. Both Johns. So is Carlos. But Billy is beyond the beyond. If you think this one sounded difficult, what until you hear The Life Divine. He's got to be the best drummer alive. Every player involved is elite class, with a provenance going back to Miles Davis and Coltrane and thus the great beyond.

[@keithcrowe1787]

I just saw Billy Cobham in Sacramento a few months ago and he is still the greatest drummer alive. The man is 78 years old for Christ's sake!

[@jemp1965]

One of the absolute highlights of music! John McLaughlin is a genius!!

[@basilrug]

That track is super hard to listen to. From that album, try “You Know, You Know” or “Dance of Maya”. The Mahavishnu Orchestra was an amazing band in their time, with roots in Jazz, Rock and Indian music.

[@ikshields]

If you’ve ever heard Miles Davis’s Earth-changing “Bitch’s Brew” album, you’ve heard the leader/guitarist here, John McLaughlin. His “Mahavishnu Orchestra”, with its incredible headlong intensity and more-than-intimate influence of Indian music, was only the most in-your-face of the various splinter groups started by former “Bitch’s Brew” personnel. For more, you’ve gotta check out the other legendary fusion groups Weather Report (started by Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter), and Return to Forever (led by Chick Corea). Basically, between these three, you’ve got much of the birth of Jazz-Rock Fusion covered on the Jazz side, and your ears are in for an absolutely mind-blowing ride.

[@tonyjohnson1405]

I saw them live Knebworth..💥

[@visog]

Your reactions are, as we say in the UK, 'just priceless!'

[@MichaelVLang]

Billy was creating a new drumming language. No one was doing anything like this, completely original. And the heavy groove throughout, incredible. First time hearing this music is quite jarring.

[@jibsmokestack1]

Tony Williams was doing this before and many of the Mahavishnu tunes originated in Tony Williams Lifetime which McLaughlin was in before this! Tony is the 🐐

[@rossjoseph3844]

Billy Cobham on lead drums!! They could do this stuff live too. This is for people who enjoy listening to music under the heading of "don't try this at home kids". Not garage band stuff. I bought this when it came out, when I was in high-school along with "Birds of Fire". Both very special albums.

[@dyrkeschaefer]

The killer Billy Cobham behind the drumkit.

[@carbonc6065]

The greatest band in the Universe.

[@TheToscanaMan]

First reaction I've seen to this band. Nice. I was lucky enough to see them live along time ago here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woolsey_Hall

[@bigpetebipolar]

If you like Mahavishnu Orchestra, check out Vulcan World's by Return To Forever. They were another amazing Jazz/Fusion band from that same era.

[@a1612]

the guitarist John McLaughlin played with Carlos. they have an album together

[@pandstar]

Make sure, if you haven't already, you check out Return to Forever. They are at the same level as Mahavishnu Orchestra.

[@rk41gator]

These guys were incredible musicians and very influential. Phil Collins liked them a lot. In fact, this band had the best concert of my life (after Genesis that is). I believe Phil heard Chester with Zappa and Mahavishnu. Jazz/Fusion. Then he decided Thompson was the man!

[@saxtant]

Fun watching you hear this. Santana is a good call, they played together man.

[@darrylguerrant5101]

Trust me!! As far as I know, the original members and the members of the other three versions of the band and McLaughlin are still alive. The band you've just heard is the first version, it is also their first album.

[@davecollins1048]

Bassist Rick Laird died a few years ago sadly.

[@darrylguerrant5101]

@@davecollins1048 Your right I forgot about that. Sorry

[@darrylguerrant5101]

UGH How could I do that, damn! R.I.P. Rick Laird.

[@darrylguerrant5101]

You should check out Drummers of Frank Zappa on YT. Couple of them talk about their impressions of Billy Cobham as a drummer with this band because: the Mahavishnu Orchestra opened for Frank Zappa. Possibly more than once I am not sure.

[@marrkhicks]

You’ve listen to one of the greatest bands of all time

[@neosoul8958]

You should check out 'Eternity's Breath' part one and two from ' Vision of the Emerald Beyond '. You'll hear another great drummer often forgotten, Narada Michael Walden.

[@virgilrobertsjr7870]

You're just listening to this now but imagine what it sounded like 50 years ago? IT WAS MUSICALLY REVOLUTIONARY AND THAT'S SAYING THE LEAST! 😎

[@redzone77p]

All i have to say is BILLY COBHAM on drums...John Mclaughlin on guitar...Jan Hammer on keys...Jean-Luc Ponty on violin.

[@darrylguerrant5101]

Jean-Luc Ponty came later. Jerry Goodman, is on violin here. McLaughlin was aiming for JPL initially. He couldn't get him for immigration issues. Frank Zappa got JPL first after those issues were mitigated.

[@redzone77p]

@@darrylguerrant5101 He did play with them was my point.

[@norair1010]

You know by now it's Billy Cobham on drums. Don't know the time sig but it's at 144 bpm.

[@pierretoureille7359]

1971, and Santana was transformed by this band. Check out the 1973 Santana-McLaughlin collaboration "Love Devotion and Surrender." If you were now 73, like me, you might have seen this band 7 times and the Santana-McLaughlin band in your youth, like I did. Keep mining this vein, you won't regret it.

[@Tribblepuppy]

Long ago, and in a galaxy far, far away... you guys reacted to Home Frees cover of Man Of Constant Sorrow, and y'all were so excited about it that you were gonna do more of Home Free, if you did then I didn't see it in your video list. That said, let me suggest you listen to/watch Home Free's cover of the Doobie Brothers classic hit 'Listen To The Music'. The beatboxer will blow you away, as will the whole group. Enjoy!

[@SkeebSkoob-f6j]

Check out John McLaughlin working with Carlos Santana on their collaboration album Love Devotion and Surrender, truly mind blowing.

[@RonGivensRasta]

This is THEE song that got me into fusion.

[@grahamreed8774]

I saw this band live in 1973. This album came out in 1971, Birds of Fire 1973 then the live Between Nothingness and Eternity. You were right- There is a Santana connection between John McLaughlin (Guitar)- the leader of this band. They had the same spiritual leader and teamed up after this to make an album together, which unfortunately was not as good as them individually. Billy Cobham is the drummer, who is still held in high regard today.

[@SirJamestheIII]

Billy Cobham is a top 5 drummer for me! My other tops are Lenny White, Harvey Mason, Tony Williams and Gary Novak!

[@knawl]

Consider they are playing ragas with a pattern of time signatures, ie different number of beats in each measure but in a pattern, its hard to keep time but can create a pulsating sensation