Mahavishnu Orchestra , King Crimson , Magma : a cosmic trilogy

WOW. Billy Cobham can still shed on the drums!

Hope - 3:07 Birds of Fire - 5:02 Miles Beyond - 11:18 Resolution - 18:24 Cosmic Strut - 20:24 Dawn - 24:45 Eternity's Breath Pt 1&2 - 32:53 Lila's Dance - 41:17 A Lotus on an Irish Stream - 47:17 Sanctuary - 52:20 Celestial Terrestrial Commuters - 1:00:52 You Know, You Know - 1:06:37 One Word - 1:13:33 Meeting of the Spirits - 1:23:54

a great tribute to the Mahavishnu, great musicians!!!! thanks maestro Billy Cobham

Interesting arrangements of some classic Mahavishnu ... with one of the greatest percussionists of all time. I am so glad legit orchestras are using music from this era to inspire a new generation. Zappa is also being arranged by orchestras too. We had true masters and innovators of music in this generation. Let's never forget or lose that.

Sublime , idioma Celestial , la Maha , maravillosa comunicación entre Músicos - Exelente ! Concierto

One of the finest, most subtle interpretations of the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Ever. 'Dawn' is to die for, as is 'Sanctuary.' BRAVO!

Fabulous! Thanks for posting. Only just discovered this. I love the Mahavishnu Orchestra. 50 years on, the music doesn’t lose any of its power.

Big Mahavishnu fan, I love this!

I saw Mahavishnu Orchestra back in the summer of 1973 at the Celebrity Theatre (Phoenix, Az.) and they played from 830pm-1115pm. WHAT A SHOW! Original members and had the opportunity to get all their autographs...still ahead of there time! OUSTANDING!

Guitar player has a rhythmic sense in his lead playing. I like him !

Birds of Fire was my first intro to fusion in 10th grade in '74. I was high as a kite and the guy had an awesome sound system. It just blew me away and I've been hooked ever since. This is REAL music. Lyla's Dance and Eternity's Breath are still 2 of my favorites.

What a treat to stumble upon this fresh take on music that's been a part of me for 40+ years; first saw these tunes performed in 1973, now here's a toned-down version with new textures and lots of great soloists. COOL!

John McLaughlin's music is awe inspiring really beautiful, sounds so different in this venue, however even in it's original Mahavishnu format the beauty was still there. B.C. one of my all time favorite percussionist, overall great concert.

This is so good ! A good idea to do this,thanks.

WOW WOW WOW! INSANE! The Mahavishnu... BEST BAND EVER!!!

Thank God for my brother Lonnie Adams Jr Turning me on to so much great music poetry including Mahvishnu Love you big Brother

...Hmmmm...they really did a good job on the orchestrations and the playing was excellent. And of course Billy Cobham is worth the watch anytime...

Love it! I think the arrangements are magnificent and the musicianship is excellent. So glad I found this.

I have owned and loved the CD of this series of concerts - "Meeting of the Spirits" - for several years. It's a joy to find another performance here of the same music by the same lineup. Critics of the authenticity of this interpretation of Mahavishnu Orchestra music should note that McLaughlin himself contributed cover notes to the CD release, saying "I would have never imagined these particular compositions being played by a big band, but in a way you have made a dream come true!" Wonderful stuff.

Cobham, is 75 years old. A chubby man, he does not attack the drums like that young athletic tornado he once was. However, his technique, wrists, and creativity, are still there. He is still a presence, and a force. The "Dean" of jazz-rock-fusion drummers.

For me this really a tribute to this phantastic music. I get goose bumps when i hear it.

Billy Cobham es único. Con gran feeling y magistral técnica. Me alegra mucho escucharlo. También me inspira, pues soy baterista.

This is so interesting... being a M.O. fan since I was 14 in 87'. To hear Cobhams playing of these arrangements and the tunes he wasn't a part of originally is so fuckin cool! Now of course this is Not Mahavishnu... but it's good and moving forward, hopefully this kind of tribute continues long after The original and Narada are gone! ultimately it's up to us musicians and fans to keep this music alive! Music education is one of the most important parts in helping our children develop mental skills team work and self expression. And with Jazz,all those things at once! sorry for my bi-polar rambling! I just love music so much 😁

Amazing recording and mix to go with the obvious talent and incredible, flawless performance!

Sublime. The music of the MVO deserves this type of treatment.

Great fresh take on fantastic music.

Супер!🎉🎉🎉

great work, love it

Danke John McLaughlin für diese geniale Komposition und Danke schön an das Orchester. Es ist prachtvoll gespielt. Als das MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA vor vielen Jahren ihr Konzert im Circus Krone in München gab, kam ich leider zu spät. Keine Eintrittskarte gab es mehr. Ich war zutiefst traurig, wollte ich die Musik damals doch live im Raum erleben dürfen. Nur den Ton von AUSSEN bekam ich mit. Das ganze Haus vibrierte. Jetzt nach so vielen Jahren erinnere ich mich wieder daran und freue mich, daß ich die Musik als Schallplatte und CD in meiner Sammlung habe.

Not bad, faithful rendition. Cobham brings authentic realism.

This is very cool, a set of "orchestral" arrangements making the music of Mahavishnu sound like a real "Mahavishnu Orchestra" .. :) .. it gives a new dimension to the original compositions; kind of what Ed Palermo does to Frank Zappa's music for a Jazz big band or the video concert "Zappa's Universe" conducted by Joel Thome.... and with the "real" Billy Cobham involved it's gotta be awesome ! .................. WHAT FOLLOWS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSLATION DONE BY THE COMPUTER OF ULRICH'S TITLE COMMENTS FOR THOSE OF US THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND GERMAN, I STILL HAVEN'T CHECKED IT FOR SYNTAX OR GRAMMATICAL ERRORS : ................... The music of the legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra was originally conceived for five men - a highly acclaimed CD, the hr-Bigband has brought them to an orchestral format. "I never thought that these compositions would be played by a big band times, with these recordings is true! Thank you so much to die for!" - As John McLaughlin comment for hr-Bigband version of the music of his Mahavishnu Orchestra. Indeed, previously, no Jazz Orchestra had dared to dominated by complex rhythms and energetic improvisations fusion classics. Colin Towns' unconventional arrangements and soulful drumming of Mahavishnu drummer Billy Cobham prepare the basis for the hr-Bigband, "the change between impetuous eruption and impressionistic rapture in the templates with rich riffs subtly accentuates skilfully tone and brilliant solo work" ( Jazz Podium). This on a highly acclaimed CD project can now be experienced live again with Billy Cobham.

Génial cette orchestration de MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA . avec BILLY COBHAM... Shanti Shanti . merci Ulrich

Wow Wow, thank you for this post, it's fantastic to discover that there are so many music events working on these music ... thanks from Quebec, Canada

These are great versions of some of the very best jazz fusion music ever recorded and what a treat to have BILLY COBHAM on the drums my favorite drummer along with GINGER BAKER!

Fabulous! There will never again be the energy that the young 5-piece MO produced, but this is really cool. Good playing, good interpretation. I recommend listening without watching

Almost no words. Love that the band is encompassing the Cobham years & several compositions from Apocalypse & Emerald Beyond releases...that Narada played on.

Thanks for sharing, this is pretty cool. 'Resolution' is a small gem. Love all the dissonant harmonies and all the subtle colors - some pretty disconcerting that permeate Mahavishnu Orchestra's music.

Wonderful! Bravi!...Greetings from Italy!

I think they did an excellent job on this project! Superb!

Actually, this was pretty wicked. Even for a celebration. I'm amazed.

Great stuff! Thanks for sharing with the world!

Thank you very much ! Super post ! Great spiritual experience!

I can't wait to hear this!! WOW

sensacional ! uma forma de valorizar mais ainda esta verdadeira obra prima que são as composições de John Mclaughlin !!!!

Considering these guys are pushing 70, I have no problem with this performance. Saw MVO back in '71... Just saw Billy Cobham's Spectrum 40 band this year. These cats are great and my question to the critics is where are all the young artists to replace them? Is music progressing? Enjoy it while you can!

What cover guitarists miss on McLaughlin is most often the proper gracing of the rhythm parts/chord bed layout - I thought this guitarist did nicely at solo time - horn players fine for intonation, solo flow, and the house sound person nicely using reverbs - like Michel Cusson the gtr put some hard Albert King Texas blues right in the middle of some psychedelicizing - Ray Gomez another killer with that

Thanks Brother for The Best Music Of The Undergruond Mistyc. ✌️ 👍 🙏

Brings back good memories. Nice to see and hear someone taking a crack at it.

I love it. Look at all the bald heads!

Muito bom, ótimos arranjos e uma leitura respeitosa da música da Mahavishnu, o guitarrista fez um bom trabalho e até se parece mesmo com John quando este era mais novo, Billy Cobham arrasando, como sempre !

Forget Mahavishnu. Hendrix-numero uno!

Que bueno suena esta Mahavishnu Orchestra, será grandioso que hagan todos los discos de Mahavishnu, cada época es grandiosa. Apocalipsis, La Visión de la Esmeralda, todos discos fabulosos y una música única.

Respectful, beautifully played and arranged,with Billy's mastery--amazing!

amazing as usual

Absolutely Brilliant...

Great Billy Cobham !!!!

What awesome arrangements! !

Saw mvo 1971 in Burlington, VT They were the opening act for blue oyster cult & the byrds. Another fantastic concert was eleventh house opening for RTF. Still love fusion!

COVER´S BEAUTIFUL

If you like/love Mahavishnu Orchestra this is an awesome contribution to that legacy. And of course hearing Mr.Cobham again is a plus!

Это самое лучшее что есть в музыке. Это божественно!👏👍

Imagine if the original Mahavishnu Orchestra had an Orchestra behind them

World Premiered at the Festival of Arts, 7-8 March, 2008. The Mahavishnu’s spirit and messages of enlightenment are re-interpreted for the 21st Century. Festival Theatre Adelaide Festival Centre 7-8 March, 8pm The polyglot, genre-bending Mahavishnu Orchestra pioneered jazz/rock fusio and created unique music, years ahead of its time. With its high-volume, edgy electrified sound, complex rhythms, unconventional time signatures and influences that included Indian, funk, jazz and even classical music, Mahavishnu breached the walls of pop and led the ‘prog rock’ invasion. While the band only existed for a very short time in a couple of different guises, albums like The Inner Mounting Flame have transcended the decades with stars including Sting and Branford Marsalis crediting Mahavishnu as a major influence. For the Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts, one of the foundation members, Billy Cobham, who is acknowledged as the master of percussion with his dazzling dexterity, has collaborated with rock keyboardist turned TV-theme composer, Colin Towns. Together, they have re-formed a stunning celebration of the Mahavishnu Orchestra alongside a group of world class musicians to present this world premiere scored and arranged by Towns for full symphony orchestra. Percussion - Billy Cobham Guitar - Frank Gambale Keyboard - J-ukkis Uotila Bass - Phillipe Chayeb Trumpet - Guy Barker Saxophone - Ernie Watts Trombone - Marshall Gilkes Presented by Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. adelaidefestival.com.au

wouh!!! Danke sehr!

The guitarist's last name is scales!! appropriate!

wow thats so great.

Great effort! Thanks

Just great.

Sorry I spelled Mahavishne wrong. The music was so sleepy I didn't notice my mistake in time. I think I'll listen to Booker T & the MGs do Green Onions followed by Hilary Hahn performing Mozart's 5th Violin Concerto instead of finishing this.

Just as it happens with Escalandrum and Piazzollas music. They're great rearranging and performing. Excelent job. They are great "craftsmen", but they are not being "artistic". They lack the spirit of the original interpretation. It's interesting to listen the arrangements. But the solos are strictly practiced and designed in rehearsal. You can feel it because they're being clinical. Politically correct about how they mentally choose the sales and licks. Back then they just let there soul speak through their instruments, painting sounds in unique moments impossible to repeat. That's why each time you listen a live version of MCs music the band never plays exactly the same. I've seen John yesterday in Barcelona, his soloing was so unique, so present. I could feel his presence in my soul. What a great gift he gave to humanity with his playing.

I bought the CD of this concert years ago and have never really been convinced by it. Probably I have the originals still ringing in my years. I'm warming to it, especially with the video to enjoy, which I have just discovered (better late than never, I suppose...) I take heart that whilst Cobham has earnt his place in the pantheon of fusion drummers, even he and the HR Bigband are not immune to a train crash at 10.27. Cobham goes into the double time huffle and the band doesn't. There is the heart-stopping moment when all goes into the air in slowmotion (what player has never been here?) before the guitarists manages to tether everyone back to terra firma.

I am so happy with getting to see Billy Cobham play to the songs of the album Visions of the emerald beyond :)

Billy Cobham. GOAT 🥁 GOAT 👍🏼.

Brilliant

We speak over the telephone to Cobham who says he came up with the idea of Meeting Of The Spirits when was last in Australia to perform at last year’s WOMADelaide. “I kept seeing all these posters around the place advertising [US jazz pianist] Herbie Hancock playing with Australian orchestras and I thought, ‘That sounds like a great idea! Why can’t I do something like that?’ So I thought about it and got in touch with a few people to see if there would be any interest. “In short, it’s now happening and we’re coming down to do it.” One of the Meetings Of The Spirits’ musicians is Australian-born guitarist Frank Gambale who once billed himself as Thunder From Down Under. “Frank is one of the premiere players of all time - one of the greatest in the world as far as I’m concerned - and it just so happens he comes from Australia. So you didn’t have to beat me over the head for me to realise that inviting Frank along would help make it work. “And Adelaide Symphony Orchestra reveres Colin Towns’ work,” Billy then said of the UK-born musician who has worked with Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan and is the composer of British television themes such as Dalziel And Pascoe and Pie In The Sky. “Colin is such a great orchestrator so the combination of all that with a great orchestra, great musicians and great musicians is going to be fantastic.” I had to good fortune to meet Billy when he was last in Adelaide. I probably embarrassed myself, however, by telling the great drummer that I had his first solo album, 1970’s Spectrum, on vinyl and I remember adding that as a young teenager I’d been greatly impressed by the stereo panning of his drums from speaker to speaker. At the time, Billy had laughed loudly and said, ‘We were experimenting’. “It’s really funny you should mention that because I’m just getting ready to work with Ken Scott, the engineer and co-producer of that album, again,” the musician laughs. “It’ll be the first time in 30-something years that Ken and I have worked together. We’re going to be working in Boston and we’re actually going to be using some of that old equipment we used on Spectrum. We’re going to be using tape echo machines and echoplexes and all that kind of stuff. “So maybe we’ll even get that panning thing happening again.” Billy makes his most recent recordings available over the internet. “It’s an interesting way to go,” he says, “and it’s now sort of a necessary evil. It shows up the incompetency of the record industry and puts the music back into the hands of the artists to do whatever they can to promote themselves. So, okay, this is what we have to do now. We have to do what we have to do in order to survive but I bet that we’ll find a way. We’ll see where we go with it and learn by our mistakes. “But I have a sneaking suspicion it’ll be a heck of a lot better than working for a bunch of music industry pencil pushers and legal eagles who don’t know anything about music and have no idea about how to push someone’s career,” Billy concludes. Meeting Of The Spirits, a celebration of the music of Mahavishnu Orchestra with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, takes place at Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, at 8pm on Sat Mar 7 and Sun Mar 8. Billy Cobham Septet also play WOMADelaide on Stage Two at 4.15pm on Sun Mar 9 and Persian Gardens on Wed Mar 5.

Very courageous project and well played but ...... Mahavishnu without Mahavishnu....lifeless

The soprano sax solo on Lila's Dance is really cool. Hearing Cobham play the Narada Mahavishnu II tunes is interesting in itself. To all the critic's that apparently think they could do better... Mahavishnu was an extremely original band,yet they fall under improvised music and Jazz. They were at least all but Goodman,Jazz musicians. This is not a "cover band" It's a Jazz big band playing Mahavishnu Orchestra with the original drummer. You don't have to like this but just stop being so Rock with the Petty competition "not as good as the Mahavishnu Orchestra" yeah and neither was Mahavishnu II for that matter but they were still awesome. There's a tribute band out there that's pretty good, they've done everything Mahavishnu live and recorded it all. I can't think of there name. Jeff Richmond with Jerry Goodmen,, Vinnie Coliauta and 9 other fusion guitarist have a CD tribute to John's music, Mahavishnu Orchestra and some other tunes for the 70's and one from the 80's

This really is not a cover, its a creation from a creation - and it shows what jazz really means - be free!

HEAVEN IS THE EARTH AND US NOW .

Very cool!!!

Some of the brass soloists are pretty cool,keeping the free spirit.Guitarist a bit tentative when Billy Cobham lets rip so the cohesion lost at times...Nice idea overall though and flattering tribute to McLaughlin and co. to have a fresh arrangement from the land of a rich history in classical and electronic music.

Mumble mumble wunderbaaar. Yes this band is great

NO.1

John Mclaughlin asked for silence before a show at the spectrum @ Phily funny that a few still whistled then thunder, blue lights into meeting of spirits. Please one last tour.

you know you know, i like that

thanks good music!

Tremendo swing!

Interesting and jaunty arrangement of "Miles Beyond."

I like the sax and trumpet solos in Birds of Fire ! The sax solo just sounds pleasing ! I would have the trumpet solo louder !

Das ist Musik ohne Seele. Auswendig gelernte Taktfolgen, die nur laut sind. Die Gitarre dafür sehr dünn. Die Melodie ist erkennbar und erinnert schon an den Meister. Doch er wird sich das wohl nicht anhören.

i think the format works very well for some of the more sombre pieces, like sanctuary and dawn, where the horns really add some texture; no need for steely dan style guitar work at all (fine in a different context), as this detracts from the compositions

Great version of One Word.

No 'Dance of Maya'? I would have thought that that was begging for this sort of re-imagining...

MEU DEUS! HEHEHEH BILLY COBAIN CONTINUA COM TUDOOOO

He looks like a very young John .

Show de bola.

8:35 I love the guy beaming with smiles near the trumpet soloist. That may be some "wtf" culture shock or he may know exactly what's happening but can't keep the grin off his face nonetheless.

Love that piano on Dawn. Everybody plays great! 30:30 packing tape on the ebass?

Way too interpretively cool. Any new take, is great take. This was a better than great take. I was able to escape on my little pleasure pod for a while. Felt a few little androphens kick in.