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Guitarist John McLaughlin was in on the birth of jazz-rock fusion, having played with both Miles Davis and Tony Williams' Lifetime in the early '70s. McLaughlin applied what he'd learned from these artists to his own pioneering fusion band, the Mahavishnu Orchestra. This second effort is the Orchestra's definitive recording. The tempestuous mix of jazz, rock, and Eastern influences is at its height here, and all of the players in this notoriously ego-plagued group challenge themselves--and each other--to push the envelope.
The themes, generally stated by McLaughlin and searing electric violinist Jerry Goodman, sound regal, unfolding in an elegant, magisterial way. Drummer Billy Cobham (another Miles alumnus) provides pounding polyrhythms over which McLaughlin and Goodman mix it up with keyboardist Jan Hammer. Hammer's synthesizer solos blazed a new trail for the synthesizer as a lead instrument, particularly in his guitar-like use of pitch-bend. The pastoral, acoustic strains of "Thousand Island Park" provide a brief respite before the listener is hurled back into the firestorm. "Hope" could be a distant cousin of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir," while the closing "Resolution" bears similarities to RED-era King Crimson, making it plain that BIRDS OF FIRE takes both sides of the jazz-rock sound seriously.
All tracks are digitally remastered.
24 Bit Mastering
Recorded at Trident Studios, London, England and CBS Studios, New York, New York in 1972. Includes liner notes by Bill Milkowski.
Personnel: John McLaughlin (guitar, synthesizer); Jerry Goodman (violin); Jan Hammer (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, Moog synthesizer); Billy Cobham (drums, percussion).
Recording information: CBS, New York, NY (1972); Trident Studios, London, England (1972).
Photographer: Urve Kuusik.
Mahavishnu Orchestra: Jerry Goodman (electric violin); Jan Hammer (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Mini-Moog synthesizer); John McLaughlin (acoustic guitar, electric 6 & 12-string guitars); Rick Laird (acoustic & electric basses); Billy Cobham (drums, gong).
Q (5/92, p.97) - 3 Stars - Good - "...an accurate reflection of the fiery passion and keen sense of urgency felt by a cast of virtuoso musicians rejoicing in the unshakable belief that nothing is impossible..." Uncut (10/00, p.84) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...Fiercely passionate and spectacular[ly] spiritual music..." Alternative Press (11/00, p.118) - "An indisputable jazz-fusion classic...combining brain-burning virtuosity with profoundly soulful mysticism..." JazzTimes (11/00, p.70) - "...A snapshot of the band at its interactive best....established the standards for rock-fusion performance..."
Their Masterpiece Yep, I was lucky enough to see them live, too. As it unfortunately turned out this was their home run, five star pinnacle. This LP synthesized a part rock, jazz, country, classical, Eastern, TRULY new fusion form more than any other contemporary's did, including Miles himself, or ol' Joe Zawinul. Engineer Ken Scott deserves some of the credit for that, too. Nothing else sounded like this - before or since - and this album along with Miles' Live-Evil hooked me on j-r fusion to this day. Brooding, subtle simplicity, bombastic, spiritual, intricate, wild - it was a full range of dynamics integrated and under control by a fortunate confluence of musicians here for one all-too-brief shining moment. Others came close, but few made such a unique, self-contained fusion statement the likes of this one. It took me awhile and repeated listenings in several normal and altered states of consciousness to open my ears and "get" it, but it was worth it once I did, and I've never looked at music in general the same way again. Submitted by Nate (Boston, MA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Awesome display of musical brilliance This CD is definitely amazing. I'm not into Jazz too much, but this CD doesn't require you to be a fan of Jazz to put you in complete awe. The Birds of Fire demonstrates remarkable musicianship at some of it's finest. Everything about it is completely complex. It's fast and thunderous, but also mellow and moody. This is definitely a CD for those who admire and appreciate the skill it takes to create music as complex as this. You'll get some really groovy tracks, and some really ferocious tracks, but if you're just looking to dance then look elsewhere. This CD is all about the great amount of skill and effort the Mahavishnu Orchestra put into their music. Submitted by ballamike (Huntington Beach, CA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Electric and Electrifying The first two discs by the Mahavishnu Orchestra remain fresh and amazing, vital and energetic, after 30 years. Soon thereafter the Orchestra collapsed as egos got too big, but here plays an amazing band at its peak. One of several highlights in John McLaughlin's long career. Please check out Shakti and Remember Shakti too, there you'll get the same highly energetic playing in an acoustic setting; here it is of course all electric and electrifying. Submitted by a reviewer (Washington DC) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
37 Years Later.......... I was fortunate enough to see this band several times. Nothing was ever like it before and I have not seen anything like it since. Unfortunately, most of these reviews are the Converted preaching to the Choir. So I direct my comments to anyone who has never heard this album, It is the best album ever made, by the best band that ever played, that dramatically changed more soul searching and intelligent contemporary musicians and listeners lives than any other.
Any questions? Submitted by jmf654 (Ft Lauderdale, FL) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
The Greatest Band In The World! I had the good fortune to experience The Mahavishnu Orchestra at Colorado University in Boulder, some 33 years ago. It remains, to this day, the most sublime musical experience of my life. Being a musician, and understanding what they were conjuring technically on stage, made that experience all the more staggering. I think it may be the closest I will ever get to heaven. The 'Birds of Fire' album, is the definitive work, of a one-of-a-kind band. Submitted by LX Skye (Moab, UT.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Awesome display of musical brilliance
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