| All Artists: Mahavishnu Orchestra Title: Birds of Fire Members Wishing: 4 Total Copies: 0 Label: Sony Release Date: 8/1/2000 Genre: Jazz Styles: Jazz Fusion, Bebop Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC: 886975697120 |
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Search - Mahavishnu Orchestra :: Birds of Fire
 | Mahavishnu Orchestra Birds of Fire Genre: Jazz Thanks to yet another pristine digital remastering from the archivists at Legacy, we are drawn deeper into the creative vortex of John McLaughlin's groundbreaking fusion ensemble, captured at the peak of their powers in Au... more » |
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Amazon.com Thanks to yet another pristine digital remastering from the archivists at Legacy, we are drawn deeper into the creative vortex of John McLaughlin's groundbreaking fusion ensemble, captured at the peak of their powers in August 1972. By this time, Mahavishnu were headliners, and by offering greater bass extension, more air and resolution, and a clearer sense of distinction between the component parts, McLaughlin's collaborators sound clearer in their shaping of the group's overall sound. Clearly, guitarist McLaughlin was the creative lightning rod, as his chanting solo on the title tune suggests, colored as it is by the cathartic melodic fire of late Coltrane and Hendrix. Likewise, his interest in the vocalized scales and extended rhythmic cycles of Indian classical music reveals itself in the round-robin solo exchanges on showstoppers like "Celestial Terrestrial Commuters" and "One Word" and in the more formal designs of "Hope" and "Resolution." But in Billy Cobham, McLaughlin had found his Elvin Jones. Cobham's ability, with bassist Rick Laird, to focus ferocious energy toward making odd meters groove, and the band's funky, backbeats swing--while playing with an enormous tonal palette and a keen sense of dynamics--balanced the formal and improvisational aspects of each arrangement. Likewise, Jerry Goodman's soaring violin is the ideal vocal foil for an electric guitar, and the woefully underrated electric pianist and synth innovator Jan Hammer clearly helps flesh out the harmonic fabric on every arrangement, such as the funky changes of "Miles Beyond" and the classical airs of "Thousand Island Park." Ultimately, the joy of seeing Mahavishnu live was in sharing their sense of adventure and discovery, and that collective chemistry is what makes this reissue of Birds of Fire so vital. Truly, the sum was greater than the parts--too bad you can't go home again. --Chip Stern Similar CDs
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CD ReviewsIn 1972, when this was released, there was nothing like it. Mike | San Jose, CA | 02/27/2009 (5 out of 5 stars) "The "original" Mahavishnu Orchestra flamed out after two studio albums and a live album that failed to capture their full power. The "lost third album" was eventually released on CD (The Lost Trident Sessions), but for the purpose of this review, we are looking at what...at the time...was the "final" studio album from the original M.O. lineup. The spirit of the band is best found in the track "Resolution"...it keeps climbing, and climbing, and climbing...where's this one gonna resolve...and ultimately, it just melts. It also offers further proof that McLaughlin's rhythm work...at its peak on Miles Davis' A Tribute to Jack Johnson...was every bit as tasty as his "speed of sound" lead work. John McLaughlin had a well-deserved reputation in the early 70s as "fastest gun in the West"...or anyone else for that matter. Long before Eddie Van Halen tore up the airwaves with "Eruption," McLaughlin was making jaws drop with his fretboard fury on shows like ABC's late-night "In Concert." The band...McLaughlin, drummer Billy Cobham, violinist Jerry Goodman and keyboardist Jan Hammer...ultimately represented four egos-slash-ambitions too large to fit into any concert hall. That, coupled with the legions of truly awful fusion bands that followed in Mahavishnu's wake, leads some to believe that their reputation exceeded their substance. Don't believe it for a minute. This album, as well as The Inner Mounting Flame, are as "essential" as essential gets. Buy both...you won't be disappointed." Not My Favorite, But Still Godly Private Quentin Tarantino Fan | nowhere | 09/17/2008 (4 out of 5 stars) "When I think of jazz fusion, this band comes to mind, along with Return To Forever. But while Return To Forever is liquid, serene, and crystal like, The Mahavishnu Orchestra couldn't be stopped if you tried. From the looks of it, these guys could play with fire, and they often seemed like it did. I can't imagine how awesome these guys are live. Bands can be very explosive live, and these guys, I can just tell, would explode if they were dynamite sticks.
Led by the awesome John Mclaughlin, every single member in this band displays a huge amount of synergy unmatched. Billy Cobham explodes like a grenade, warping the time signatures and lays down a groove needed to carry along everything, along with rick Laird, who is a great bass player. He also is more funky than you grandpa's drawers (stolen from ATCQ!!!!!!!), as heard on One World. Keyboards, pianos add texture (with some of that lovely Corea tone), with the often soloists John Mclaughlin and Jerry Goodman that trade off lighting solos. The violin shreaks, croons, fires off, and explodes, and often when the two solo, sometimes I can't even tell if the violin and the guitar is playing. That's a compliment. This is one of those albums that offer something new and totally different for each song. From tense (Birds Of Fire), playful (Celestial Terrestrial Commmuters, with a duel solo), serene (Thousand Island Park), somber (Resolution, Miles Beyond). Easily, the highlight on this album would have to be One World. Despite it's length, it's prefect pacing, funky undetones, relentless groove, and ______ solos never get old. I'm still trying to figure out if the solos that seem to "trade" are between a violing and a guitar. The band has a knack for texture, too. Take the first track, for example. The guitar's tone is incredibly smoky sounding, and The violin's melody alludes to lava. It gets more intense as it goes along. Open Country Joy lives up to it's title. First, it's soft, with it's peaceful, breezy notes played with country rock guitar and sunset fiddle. Then it gets overflown with joy. Thousand Island Park is extremely serene and relaxing. Hope swings oddly yet addicting, and did I mention the violin are sick? Also, I love So why exactly did I give it only four stars despite all of this praise? I don't feel much passion for it as I should. people who love music should know how some music just speaks to you more, and this album doesn't do that as much as the other stuff I like. Of course, snobs and egomaniacs will get mad, but they deserves to _________. Your mileage will probably vary, and this band provides both stunning feats of music viruosity and emotional music, all in one. Pick it up along with their debut, The Inner Mounting Flame. Doesn't sound dated at all, in fact, it's most refreshing considering the old, stale, ________ dinosaur music that plagues our airwaves. Sail on, ____________!!!!! 7.5/10" |
