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It had not been since 1985 that John McLaughlin had put out a record featuring
an electric guitar. Tokyo Live was released in 1994 and showed the music world,
once again, how McLaughlin can reinvent himself. This time in the context of The Free
Spirits, a B-3 based jazz trio which featured McLaughlin on a Johnnie Smith electric
guitar, organist Joey DeFrancesco and powerhouse drummer, Dennis Chambers. It
was an ailing McLaughlin who was recorded on two different nights at the Tokyo
Blue Note. He had recently suffered a back injury while playing with his dog on
the beach and apparently dealt with much pain during his sets.
Those hoping for a 1990's version of the Tony Williams Lifetime will be
disappointed by this record. Those hoping to hear a wailing, plaintiff,
distorted guitar will be be upset. McLaughlin's tone is somewhat warm and
processed and sometimes is easily lost in the cascading of a busy B-3 barrage.
But, the chops are vintage McLaughlin. They are more blues-tinged than
expected. He plays through and around and underneath the changes and his unison
lines with DeFrancesco make you wonder if two musicians are actually playing as
to separate the sounds is almost impossible. His empathy, if we can distort the
word's meaning somewhat, with the supercharged Chambers is evident from the
first beat and several top-notch compositions, most notably "Vukovar" make for
an exciting and pleasing outing.
One of the criticisms being leveled at McLaughlin's recent works has been the
suggestion that since he doesn't quite play the same style he used to - (Okay,
Okay, The Mahavishnu Orchestra Style) - he is no longer the guitar hero he once
was. My God! The man is in his fifties. His head is in an entirely new place.
One of the reasons Jazz is such a great music is that it allows for changes.
The change in age. The change in taste. The change in experience. One thing
is for sure, my friends. Mr. McLaughlin is still very unpredictable. And I for
one, want him to remain that way!
Walter Kolosky
smsi@attbi.com
Walter Kolosky is a jazz fan and founder of Ecomonics.com who lives in Braintree, MA, USA
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1. 1 Nite Stand - (7:05)
2. Hijacked - (10:25)
3. When Love Is Far Away - (4:56)
4. Little Miss Valley - (10:56)
5. Juju at the Crossroads - (5:15)
6. Vukovar - (12:11)
7. No Blues - (4:27)
8. Mattinale - (19:42)
John McLaughlin - guitar
Joey DeFrancesco - Hammond XB-3 organ and trumpet
Dennis Chambers - drums
All compositions by John McLaughlin, except 'No Blues' by Miles Davis
Produced by John McLaughlin
Executive producer: Jean-Philippe Allard
Digitally recorded live on December 16 and 18, 1993 at The Blue Note
Tokyo jazz club, Tokyo, Japan
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