From: jgower@mhc.mtholyoke.edu (Jeff Gower)
Newsgroups: rec.music.bluenote
Subject: Re: McLaughlin/Free Spirits
Date: Thu, 29 Feb 1996 09:55:20 -0500
In article <4h2m96$fdq@amhux3.amherst.edu>, abschnei@unix.amherst.edu
(ADAM BENJAMIN SCHNEIT ) wrote:
> [...]
Hello Adam,
I was there the same night. I have been an avid McLaughlin fan for 25
or so years, and I know that he has composed some of the most creative and
beautiful music I have ever heard. Not to mention his absolutely
mindboggling technique - crisp and faultless playing. He's done it all -
freejazz, fusion, Indian, classical, you name it - and he's done it all
very tastefully and top-notch. Now, about the concert. I too was a bit
disappointed with it all. I was blown away by the sheer blistering
virtuosity of the performances, and the tight cohesion of the trio with
the intricate rhythms and all that. They seemed to be enjoying
themselves, except for the extremely unfortunate electrical problems with
the organ during one of the finest meandering guitar improvs I have ever
heard. (I couldn't believe John just stopped playing and suggested
leaving the stage "while they fixed it"! Why didn't he just keep on with
the beautiful guitar work, or play one of his many solo guitar things
while they solved the problem?) Anyway, I did get tired of every tune
sliding into the similar blues/funk jam, albeit some great jamming. But
for what it was, it was the best jamming I have ever heard. I just was
hoping for a more "musical" experience, like you said. Believe me, there
are PLENTY of things "on record" by McLaughlin to amply prove his
superlative musicianship. Anyway, it was great fun, and I still say that
McLaughlin, at 54 years old, can blow away any younger players out there -
what stamina, coupled with amazing accuracy. Wow.
Jeff Gower