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Power, Passion and Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra
Starting in 1971 and lasting in one form or another for five years, the MO exploded onto the popular music scene while simultaneously trashing all existing conventions, forging a new direction that is still controversial to this day. The loudest and fastest band in the entire world, the MO literally could "scare" people - yet also could create music of great beauty. All five members of the original band, John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman and Rick Laird, cooperated with the author. In addition, over 100 people, including some of the world's greatest musicians and artists, provide comments exclusive to this book. Among those commenting for the book are Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Jeff Beck, Sir George Martin, Jean-Luc Ponty, Peter Max, Joe Zawinul, Bill Frisell, Dennis Chambers, Bill Bruford, Peter Erskine, Jimmy Herring, Jonas Hellborg, Mark Egan, John Scofield, Steve Lukather, Lyle Mays, Steve Morse, Joey DeFrancesco, Narada Michael Walden and many, many more.
- GenresMusic
380 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2006
About the author
Walter Kolosky
5 books1 followerWalter Kolosky is best known for his work on the music of the guitarist/composer John McLaughlin. In 2010, he gave a lecture about that music at the Cordoba Guitar Festival in Cordoba, Spain. Kolosky is the author of the acclaimed book about the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Power, Passion and Beauty. His latest work, Follow Your Heart, continues his study of McLaughlin's music song by song since 1969. Follow Your Heart is an invaluable listener's guide, history, reference book and source of inspiration all rolled into one.
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May 6, 2009Fascinating book about Mahavishnu Orchestra being the "loudest and fastest" band, one of the best bands in the early 70s. My favorite band Garaj Mahal is influenced by them.
March 14, 2014
Mr. Kolosky truly believes that the original Mahavishnu Orchestra is the greatest band that ever was. So, it's not surprising that this book is written in a, well, fan-boy tone--but not in a bad way. I too love the original Mahavishnu Orchestra. I was an insane fan. McLaughlin's compositions had a profound effect on me as a musician and composer.
Read the rest of the review on my blog, and don't forget to listen to my relaxing, dulcet compositions as you read!
Read the rest of the review on my blog, and don't forget to listen to my relaxing, dulcet compositions as you read!
January 16, 2025
You know you know
I've been looking forward to reading this book for a long time - ever, in fact, since learning about its origins in Walter Kolosky's posts on the John McLaughlin mailing lists many years ago. Kolosky's enthusiasm for the band spills out of every page (and even appears in the title, which lets you know up front that you're not about to read the most objective, dispassionate account in the world), but this has been backed up with a great deal of research, as he's made an extraordinary effort to track down and obtain comments from nearly 150 people who were either involved with the band (including all five of the original members), or who have been affected by it.
To start with, he marshals his material very well indeed, concentrating on the presentation of a detailed and coherent account of the band's origins and guitarist John McLaughlin's work in assembling its first lineup which, beginning in mid-1971, lasted for just two and a half years. During that time, they recorded two studio albums (their attempts at a third were finally released in 1999) and a live set, and toured more or less continuously. Their technical ability, detailed polyrhythmic compositions and powerful live performances garnered a following which, considering the relative inaccessibility of their pioneering instrumental jazz-rock (at least when compared to the mainstream of pop and rock) was remarkable. Internal tensions caused this lineup to split at the end of 1973, and McLaughlin immediately put together a completely new version of the band. Following accepted wisdom in the fanbase, Kolosky doesn't pay this version (or subsequent incarnations of the band) so much attention, believing that the first lineup was unique.
This story is clearly a labour of love for the author, and I found that it mostly exceeded my expectations. The assembly of quotations are fascinating and provide genuine insight into the history and development of the band (some of my favourites come from three-quarters of the original Pat Metheny Group, describing their separate reactions to hearing the band at the University of Miami in 1972). For the most part, the author only provides linking material between the quotations (except at the end of the book, where he absents himself altogether), but it's a pity that his obvious enthusiasm for his subject isn't matched by the quality of his prose, which can be disconcertingly clunky (e.g. "He instantly became quite angry" [p210]) with a few misused words (I think "nebulous" [p54] and "triangulation" [p56] don't have the meanings that their sentences intend). But that's probably to pick holes in a nice piece of work that sent me back to listen once again to the music. Which, of course, is what it's all about.
Originally reviewed 16 November 2009
I've been looking forward to reading this book for a long time - ever, in fact, since learning about its origins in Walter Kolosky's posts on the John McLaughlin mailing lists many years ago. Kolosky's enthusiasm for the band spills out of every page (and even appears in the title, which lets you know up front that you're not about to read the most objective, dispassionate account in the world), but this has been backed up with a great deal of research, as he's made an extraordinary effort to track down and obtain comments from nearly 150 people who were either involved with the band (including all five of the original members), or who have been affected by it.
To start with, he marshals his material very well indeed, concentrating on the presentation of a detailed and coherent account of the band's origins and guitarist John McLaughlin's work in assembling its first lineup which, beginning in mid-1971, lasted for just two and a half years. During that time, they recorded two studio albums (their attempts at a third were finally released in 1999) and a live set, and toured more or less continuously. Their technical ability, detailed polyrhythmic compositions and powerful live performances garnered a following which, considering the relative inaccessibility of their pioneering instrumental jazz-rock (at least when compared to the mainstream of pop and rock) was remarkable. Internal tensions caused this lineup to split at the end of 1973, and McLaughlin immediately put together a completely new version of the band. Following accepted wisdom in the fanbase, Kolosky doesn't pay this version (or subsequent incarnations of the band) so much attention, believing that the first lineup was unique.
This story is clearly a labour of love for the author, and I found that it mostly exceeded my expectations. The assembly of quotations are fascinating and provide genuine insight into the history and development of the band (some of my favourites come from three-quarters of the original Pat Metheny Group, describing their separate reactions to hearing the band at the University of Miami in 1972). For the most part, the author only provides linking material between the quotations (except at the end of the book, where he absents himself altogether), but it's a pity that his obvious enthusiasm for his subject isn't matched by the quality of his prose, which can be disconcertingly clunky (e.g. "He instantly became quite angry" [p210]) with a few misused words (I think "nebulous" [p54] and "triangulation" [p56] don't have the meanings that their sentences intend). But that's probably to pick holes in a nice piece of work that sent me back to listen once again to the music. Which, of course, is what it's all about.
Originally reviewed 16 November 2009
July 31, 2022
A poorly written book about a great band.
April 28, 2014
Best John McLaughlin quote inside: “It’s not work. It’s just you love that instrument so much and you just go for it.” This quote helped explain to me how John could practice so more than the rest of us – you can only do so if “it’s not work”. Also, I loved the explanation that the Mahavishnu Orchestra’s (largely unison) melodies were designed as cues to get in and out of solos. Aside from that the beauty of the book was that it taught you quite a bit about the band history – I adore MO so my time was clearly not wasted reading this book and getting lots of factual info. But I only gave it three stars because on a deeper level, the book only taught me the two things mentioned above – Think of this book more as an enthusiastic biography that will help you on your quest rather than a bio on a quest to understand how MO together and individually could be THAT good.
A musical biography of the MO period still needs to be written with notated examples and harmonic analysis of the solos, etc… Such a bio I’d give another star too. But it terms of learning, I learned far more from “Bathed in Lightning” by Colin Harper, which I’d also give an extra star too. Check that one out if you are into tapping into how did John McLaughlin become for many of us the greatest guitar player that ever lived. Few of today’s hits involve either the beautiful chord filigree ornamentation of Hendrix, or the beautiful arpeggios, chromatic glissandos and tremolo of Django, or the sheer speed and beautiful deep spirituality of McLaughlin but I’ll tell you this: by studying them both, McLaughlin masterfully absorbed both Hendrix and Django – McLaughlin has the speed of mind of Django mixed with the Jimi’s recognition that hip controlled/uncontrolled noise through distortion can be not only profoundly emotionally provocative to hip listeners but move beyond to affect an entire nation’s youth who become hip and then the art form if unimpeded picks up any more speed it becomes revolutionary in highest order like Coltrane, Lennon’s Imagine, Eddie Adams’ Nguyen Execution photo, Picasso’s Guernica, or Zola’s Germinal…
A musical biography of the MO period still needs to be written with notated examples and harmonic analysis of the solos, etc… Such a bio I’d give another star too. But it terms of learning, I learned far more from “Bathed in Lightning” by Colin Harper, which I’d also give an extra star too. Check that one out if you are into tapping into how did John McLaughlin become for many of us the greatest guitar player that ever lived. Few of today’s hits involve either the beautiful chord filigree ornamentation of Hendrix, or the beautiful arpeggios, chromatic glissandos and tremolo of Django, or the sheer speed and beautiful deep spirituality of McLaughlin but I’ll tell you this: by studying them both, McLaughlin masterfully absorbed both Hendrix and Django – McLaughlin has the speed of mind of Django mixed with the Jimi’s recognition that hip controlled/uncontrolled noise through distortion can be not only profoundly emotionally provocative to hip listeners but move beyond to affect an entire nation’s youth who become hip and then the art form if unimpeded picks up any more speed it becomes revolutionary in highest order like Coltrane, Lennon’s Imagine, Eddie Adams’ Nguyen Execution photo, Picasso’s Guernica, or Zola’s Germinal…
August 1, 2011
Being an absolute fanatic for guitarist John McGlaughlin & looking upon listening to his early 70's short lived fusion band Mahavishnu Orchestra like a transcendental altered state experience I couldn't wait to get into this book. And it certainly satisfied that addiction & idol worship. A bit like Tiger Beat magazine did for my 8th grade Beatles cravings. Lots of behind the scenes tidbits, little known facts & histories. It's obvious the author has that same adoration I do. But can the non-fan gain anything from this? I doubt it. It's more a series of quotes than narrative and these quotes have only the barest of structure. I know Kolosky did a lot of his own interviewing, but a lot is also culled from trade magazine interviews. It sometimes felt like he had cut out any remotely pertinent quote. Then he took the stack of clippings & threw them in the air before gluing them into a scrapbook. So, this read could be a 4-5 star book for my fellow fanatics & 1-2 for those who are not. Splitting the difference I give it an overly generous 3. I'm sure Kolosky would agree that a much better thing to do than read this book is to listen to the music.
October 17, 2024
For anyone that who enjoys challenging, powerful and passionate music, this book is a must read. It tells the story of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the best of the Fusion music bands of the early to mid seventies. Although I did not have the privilege of seeing the original group live (I was just a little too young) this book brings to life the story of this band which for many, including myself, is the best band ever. I did get to see the second incarnation of MO and those concerts are among my favorites of all time. Let this book show you how people who experienced the original MO live remember it as an almost religious experience and how the band members thought of themselves at the time. MO was a comet that streaked across the sky and then was gone. This book will make you feel like you were a part of that. Five stars and highly recommended.
August 26, 2007
Mahavishnu Orchestra is one of my fav bands. John McLaughlin is one of my musical heroes. You can see a lot of the original MO's vidoes if you search on youtube. What a powerful band. Truly incredible, mind boggling music. Check out How to Become a Guitar Player from Hell by Jason Earls. He mentions McLaughlin a few times in that book.
July 13, 2014
Everything you ever wanted to know about MO! Great read for newbies and fans alike! I "was" a newbie and now feel like an expert.
June 8, 2021
Very good history of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, one of my favorite fusion jazz bands. I saw them live several times, and never left a show without being totally amazed.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews