Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
The first recording of the second Mahavishnu Orchestra was a real stretch for John McLaughlin, an encounter with Michael Tilson Thomas and the London Symphony Orchestra. The union wasn't taken seriously at the time, and it ended up harming the reputation of Thomas -- a remarkably adventurous young conductor who defied the stuffy classical powers-that-be and thus probably delayed his eventual rise to the top -- more than McLaughlin. But those with ears, then and now, beheld a remarkable series of pieces that neatly juxtapose and occasionally combine the combustion of McLaughlin's group with rich, tasteful symphonic statements orchestrated for McLaughlin by Michael Gibbs. The new Mahavishnu-ites, electric violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and keyboardist/vocalist Gayle Moran, have their moments, but the real focus of this disc is the quality of the symphonic conceptions and how well McLaughlin blends his lyrical and fiery guitar into the mixture. The best stretch is the breathtakingly ethereal opening of "Hymn to Him"; the promise of fusing rock, jazz, and classical elements had never been executed so alluringly before -- and wouldn't you know, an old experienced hand at introducing classical textures into rock, the Beatles' George Martin, is the producer. Don't let old, outworn preconceptions on either side of the fence prevent you from checking out this beautiful record.
© Richard S. Ginell /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From 12.49€/month
Mahavishnu Orchestra, Performer - Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor - Carol Shive, Vocal - Carol Shive, Violin - J. McLaughlin, Composer - J. McLaughlin, Lyricist - MAHAVISHNU, Guitar - Michael Gibbs, Orchestrator - Ralphe Armstrong, Vocal - Ralphe Armstrong, Acoustic Bass - Ralphe Armstrong, Bass - Jean-Luc Ponty, Violin - Tim Geelan, Re-Mastering Engineer - Gayle Moran, Vocal - Gayle Moran, Keyboards - Philip Hirschi, Vocal - Philip Hirschi, Acoustic Cello - Larry Keyes, Re-Mastering Engineer - George Martin, Producer - Geoffrey Emerick, Engineer - Michael Walden, Vocal - Michael Walden, Percussion - Michael Walden, Drums - Marsha Westbrook, Viola
(P) 1974 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Mahavishnu Orchestra, Performer - Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor - Michael Tilson Thomas, Piano - Carol Shive, Vocal - Carol Shive, Violin - J. McLaughlin, Composer - J. McLaughlin, Lyricist - MAHAVISHNU, Guitar - Ralphe Armstrong, Vocal - Ralphe Armstrong, Acoustic Bass - Ralphe Armstrong, Bass - Jean-Luc Ponty, Violin - Tim Geelan, Re-Mastering Engineer - Gayle Moran, Vocal - Gayle Moran, Keyboards - Philip Hirschi, Vocal - Philip Hirschi, Acoustic Cello - Larry Keyes, Re-Mastering Engineer - George Martin, Producer - Michael Walden, Vocal - Michael Walden, Percussion - Michael Walden, Drums - Marsha Westbrook, Viola
(P) 1974 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Mahavishnu Orchestra, Performer - Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor - Carol Shive, Vocal - Carol Shive, Violin - J. McLaughlin, Composer - J. McLaughlin, Lyricist - MAHAVISHNU, Guitar - Ralphe Armstrong, Vocal - Ralphe Armstrong, Acoustic Bass - Ralphe Armstrong, Bass - Jean-Luc Ponty, Violin - Tim Geelan, Re-Mastering Engineer - Gayle Moran, Vocal - Gayle Moran, Keyboards - Philip Hirschi, Vocal - Philip Hirschi, Acoustic Cello - Larry Keyes, Re-Mastering Engineer - George Martin, Producer - Michael Walden, Vocal - Michael Walden, Percussion - Michael Walden, Drums - Mahalakshmi Iyer, Writer - Marsha Westbrook, Viola
(P) 1974 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Mahavishnu Orchestra, Performer - Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor - J. McLaughlin, Composer - J. McLaughlin, Lyricist - Carol Shive, Vocal - Carol Shive, Violin - MAHAVISHNU, Guitar - Ralphe Armstrong, Vocal - Ralphe Armstrong, Acoustic Bass - Ralphe Armstrong, Bass - Jean-Luc Ponty, Violin - Gayle Moran, Vocal - Gayle Moran, Keyboards - Philip Hirschi, Vocal - Philip Hirschi, Acoustic Cello - George Martin, Producer - Michael Walden, Vocal - Michael Walden, Percussion - Michael Walden, Drums - Marsha Westbrook, Viola
(P) 1974 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Mahavishnu Orchestra, Performer - Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor - Carol Shive, Vocal - Carol Shive, Violin - J. McLaughlin, Composer - J. McLaughlin, Lyricist - MAHAVISHNU, Guitar - Ralphe Armstrong, Vocal - Ralphe Armstrong, Acoustic Bass - Ralphe Armstrong, Bass - Jean-Luc Ponty, Violin - Tim Geelan, Re-Mastering Engineer - Gayle Moran, Vocal - Gayle Moran, Keyboards - Philip Hirschi, Vocal - Philip Hirschi, Acoustic Cello - Larry Keyes, Re-Mastering Engineer - George Martin, Producer - Michael Walden, Vocal - Michael Walden, Percussion - Michael Walden, Drums - Marsha Westbrook, Viola
(P) 1974 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Album review
The first recording of the second Mahavishnu Orchestra was a real stretch for John McLaughlin, an encounter with Michael Tilson Thomas and the London Symphony Orchestra. The union wasn't taken seriously at the time, and it ended up harming the reputation of Thomas -- a remarkably adventurous young conductor who defied the stuffy classical powers-that-be and thus probably delayed his eventual rise to the top -- more than McLaughlin. But those with ears, then and now, beheld a remarkable series of pieces that neatly juxtapose and occasionally combine the combustion of McLaughlin's group with rich, tasteful symphonic statements orchestrated for McLaughlin by Michael Gibbs. The new Mahavishnu-ites, electric violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and keyboardist/vocalist Gayle Moran, have their moments, but the real focus of this disc is the quality of the symphonic conceptions and how well McLaughlin blends his lyrical and fiery guitar into the mixture. The best stretch is the breathtakingly ethereal opening of "Hymn to Him"; the promise of fusing rock, jazz, and classical elements had never been executed so alluringly before -- and wouldn't you know, an old experienced hand at introducing classical textures into rock, the Beatles' George Martin, is the producer. Don't let old, outworn preconceptions on either side of the fence prevent you from checking out this beautiful record.
© Richard S. Ginell /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 5 track(s)
- Total length: 00:52:19
- Main artists: Mahavishnu Orchestra
- Composer: John McLaughlin
- Label: Columbia - Legacy
- Genre: Jazz Jazz Fusion & Jazz Rock
(P) 1974 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.