Mahavishnu Orchestra/PA,USA 1975

After the release of “Emerald Vision” in 1975, the band toured the US with Jeff Beck, and the performance in Millersville, Pennsylvania on April 19th was recorded in almost complete form on the best quality audience master recording available, which was recently posted online by the owner of the taper. First of all, the guitarist Jeff most admired during this period was John McLaughlin, and the tour, which was realized at his strong request, also attracted attention as the two performed together on each other’s stage. Mahavishnu here demonstrates a wonderful grooving ensemble with Narada Michael Walden at the core, and in the transitional period from the second to the third period, it is quite different from the familiar ensemble of the first period. Incidentally, the band also featured Steve Kindler (formerly of the Jan Hammer Group), Carol Scheive (who participated in numerous sessions with Chick Corea, Al Di Meola, etc.), Norma Jean Bell (who participated in Tommy Bolin and Frank Zappa’s bands as well as the P-Funk Allstars), and Premic Russell Tubbs (who participated in recordings with Santana and Whitney Houston), all of whom played wind instruments different from the band’s original style, giving the band a unique sound that was only possible during this period. It was also just after Gayle Moran’s departure, and RTF was a big band featuring horns at the time, so McLaughlin was influenced by them at this time, and the genre was changing from crossover to fusion, and McLaughlin himself was probably experimenting with different styles. Starting with You Know, You Know, which is almost entirely performed with one chord and is full of exquisite interplay, Vision Is A Naked Sword from “Apocalypse,” Eternity’s Breath from “Visions Of The Emerald Beyond,” and My Foolish Heart from “Electric Guitarist,” the set consistently features unique playing that is all worth listening to. 1. Eternity’s Breath/2. You Know, You Know/3. Sanctuary / Lila’s Dance/4. Vision Is A Naked Sword/5. My Foolish Heart [Live At State College, Millersville, PA, USA April 19th 1975] John McLaughlin – Guitar / Ralphe Armstrong – Bass / Stu Goldberg – Keyboards / Steve Kindler – Violin / Carol Shive – Violin / Norma Jean Bell – Saxophone / Pre mik Russel Tubbs – Saxophone / Philip Hirschi – Cello / Narada Michael Walden – Drums