John McLaughlin: From Miles to Mahavishnu and Way Beyond | 100 Guitarists Podcast
Guitarist John McLaughlin’s career has been long and winding. From his early solo records and work with Miles Davis, he possessed a unique approach to the guitar that encompassed jazz and rock vocabulary, played with a biting tone and stellar, virtuosic technique. He’s never stopped developing, and we’re covering our favorite highlights of McLaughlin’s career: his acoustic (and later electric) take on Indian music with Shakti, his more traditional jazz projects, and much more.
There are lots of listening highlights in this episode and we’ve covered as much as we can: Mahavishnu Orchestra’s first two records are undisputable; Tony Williams Lifetime’s Emergency may be the birth of fusion guitar; McLaughlin’s mid-career studies in Indian music are inspiring; his take on Coltrane in an organ-jazz setting is monumental. But we could still cover a whole other episode’s worth.
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Originally posted by UC5J-hZ4wNf7OlkzIn49LHoQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHJAvH43y1Y
I wish there were more videos and albums from JM's "One Truth Band" period!!
Great podcast. John McLaughlin stands at the very top of my mount rushmore
Evryone gushes over Miles Davis's 70s periode with Mclaughlin/Reggie Lucas/Pete Cosy,.and Premier Guitar /Guitar PLayer /Guitar World always have little articles about that era and how cool it was ,but just like YouTube and the rest of the internet, there are ZERO lessons,tabs,lead sheets, explanations,videos , transcriptions any of the 70s stuff anywhere .(tons of 80s Stern/Ford/Scho transcriptions,lessons ,liks.tabs ,tutorials,all the time ) BUT 70S???? ZERO,ZILCH,NADA ANY WHERE ON THE INTERNET (except for one video on youtube aboutJackJohnson that has no fingerings ,tab,choard box's ,scales,modes ) I've been searhging for years ,if I'm wrong please let me know if there are indeed any reasorses out there
it's a duo-sonic
Great one guys, JM is definitely one the top tier all the way but it his 90’s sound as you discuss After the Rain, an absolute killer trio.
Although you can hear a hint on live in Tokyo this is where we get the sound of him plugging directly into a Sony DPS modulation processor that he used up to Shatkis 2001 recording. I have to disagree to the comments made about sounding like Mike Stern, this was an original John tone, no disrespect to Mike but his tone is tinny and weak in comparison to John’s super thick muscular cleans. When he could not purchase anymore reliable Sony processors he resorted to a simple MXR chorus pedal and his 90s sound was lost. ????
The One Truth Band album is pretty awesome. The Dark Prince is basically Coltrane changes at like 350 bpm
Miles had a tune called Fat Time on Man with the horn that was named after Mike Stern.
Good job. For McLaughlin/Mahavishnu Orchestra fans, and anyone with interest in jazz and rock music in the early 70s, I have a new book out about the remarkable tour history of Mahavishnu called "Mahavishnu Memories." Details can be found on line. Thanks.
Hot Take: This is the best guitar podcast.
Regarding the pronunciation: John believes since Americans prefer the use of the PH inflection, he pronounces his name with that PH enunciation while in America and some other places. 🙂
I've heard John introduce himself pronounced as John McLoff-lan or ph, as Nick mentioned. I remember watching The Tonight Show when John McLaughlin played Cherokee. Not sure if you guys knew that the original acoustic guitar trio was McLaughlin, Paco, and Larry Coryell. There was a DVD floating around with a live performance of the original group. There's a guitarist worthy of being in the top 100… Known as The Godfather Of Fusion with his early forays into jazz-rock w/ The Free Spirits, US American band (1965-1968) who have been credited for being the first ever jazz-rock group. They released one LP in '67. Coryell's on Herbie Mann's Memphis Underground along with Sonny Sharrock on guitar, and many other recordings. Great overview of McLaughlin's playing and discography. Thanks!!!
John Macloklin is the UK pronunciation. I spell it G E N I U S.
Mahavishnu- Visions of the Emerald Beyond, is in what I would say is the most fully formed version of a Mahavishnu orchestra record. Inner Mounting Flame, Birds of Fire, and Visions of the Emerlad Beyond should be spun by any cat would pushes to expand their mind, vibe and understanding of music in a human context
I think Miles Davis may also have a tune called “Willie Nelson”, and the song “Fat Time” (named after funny enough Mike Stern which fat time is what miles called him)
Love mahavishnu orchestra