Friday, July 18, 2014

MAHAVISHNU JOHN McLAUGHLIN – My Goal's Beyond (LP-1971)



Label: Douglas – DGL 64537
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Gatefold; Country: Netherlands - Released: 1971
Style: Jazz-Rock, Acoustic, Fusion
Recorded in New York City, March 1971.
Design [Sleeve Design] – Chris Poisson
Photography By – Hugh Browne
Producer – Mahavishnu John McLaughlin

A1 - Peace One . . . 7:15
A2 - Peace Two . . . 12:18
B1 - Goodbye Pork Pie Hat . . . 3:15
B2 - Something Spiritual . . . 3:35
B3 - Hearts And Flowers . . . 2:05
B4 - Phillip Lane . . . 3:35
B5 - Waltz For Bill Evans . . . 2:00
B6 - Follow Your Heart . . . 3:17
B7 - Song For My Mother . . . 3:30
B8 - Blue In Green . . . 2:37

John McLaughlin - acoustic guitar
Jerry Goodman - violin
Dave Liebman - tenor & soprano sax, flute
Charlie Haden - bass
Billy Cobham - drums
Airto Moreira - percussion
Badal Roy - tablas
Eve McLaughlin (alias Mahalakshmi) - tambura

 Mahavishnu John McLaughlin
Jerry Goodman 

John McLaughlin: My Goal's Beyond Technically, the acoustic guitar playing on 1970's My Goal's Beyond does not approach the skill exhibited on most of John McLaughlin's recordings. Flubbed notes pop up here and there, and although this album is famous for McLaughlin's "solo" renderings of such classic tunes as Mingus' "Good-Bye Pork-Pie Hat," Bill Evans and Miles Davis' "Blue in Green" and his own wonderful composition "Follow Your Heart," Mclaughlin actually pre-recorded the chords and soloed over them.

However, no small amount of flubbing or overdubbing can take away from the fact that this album is a true masterpiece. MGB set standards for acoustic guitar playing which remain today. McLaughlin's soloing and chord playing was a revelation even to those familiar with his electric guitar style. He snapped the steel strings with the confidence of a warrior. His playing was amazingly fast, yet still melodic, and his tune selection was unusually eclectic. He was coming from an entirely new place.

The most impressive performance is the ensemble rendering of McLaughlin's "Peace One." Charlie Haden opens the composition with an infectious bass groove, and the tune features crisp, snapping acoustic guitar and Far Eastern tonal colors. Dave Liebman is especially up front on sax. Other members of the band included future Mahavishnu Orchestra band mates Billy Cobham and Jerry Goodman. Airto and Badal Roy also come along for the joyful ride. Violinist Goodman, in particular, makes some very strong statements.

So popular has this record become over the years that several labels have purchased it from catalog and re-released it. You can't kill this thing with a stick. In addition to the original Douglas 9 production, MGB has also appeared on the Warner-Electra, Ryko and The Knitting Factory labels (the latter being its latest reissue, from 2000).

MGB is considered to be a milestone in the career of John McLaughlin and the history of acoustic jazz guitar. To this day, there are many who claim it is still the greatest of all McLaughlin records. I recommend listening to this record once a month for the rest of your life.

We shouldn't forget that it took guts to record an acoustic guitar album during the times of Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. So although over the years the album has sold well through reputation, it totally bombed when it was released. MGB is a primary recording for any McLaughlin fan.

By WALTER KOLOSKY, Published: November 19, 2002 (AAJ)



If you find it, buy this album!

17 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. New link:

      MAHAVISHNU JOHN McLAUGHLIN – My Goal's Beyond (LP-1971)
      Vinyl Rip/FLAC+ Cover

      1fichier:
      https://1fichier.com/?cl26y1uasg

      Delete
  2. seems to be posted as a tribute in disguise to the late Charlie Haden. Thank you, Vitko!

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  3. Yes, unfortunately, left us and Charlie.

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  4. Thanks a lot, Vitko, for this "madeleine de Proust" which reminds me my gone young days !

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    1. Gas Well forget the Proust and his tear for lost time, Bhowani I can see that are on these blogs all our old psychedelic weirdos, no need to ask more, our young days are long gone, but now we are in the prime of life, at least so they say. My son claims that we have definitely heard the best music, attention, and he is just a teenager. What do you say, youngster is completely on dad. ... ha ... ha ...!
      All the best my friend.

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    2. Hey Bhowani, your comment has sparked an avalanche of memories to me. Thank you, mate. Being full time rational isn't really "healthy".

      Go easy with your son, Vitko. I went through it. Wait till he starts bonded posters of models with enormous boobs. Then you better be ready for tricky questions :)

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    3. Ha .. ha ... Thank you Igor for helpful instructions, you're right, I got carried away and forgot the key moments, with enormous boobs on the walls ... hmm ... nothing of progressive young man... Wait, on second thought, but it's not so bad. So I actually started to paint. Oui, c'est la vie :)
      Cheers.

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  5. Thanks Vitko for sharing this really gem on McLaughlin. It was sad to hear that Haden dies. :(
    Keep up the great job, regards, K.

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  6. I don't really keep track this sort of thing, but I think I might already listen to this record once a month actually. A cornerstone classic.

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  7. Hi Vitko, could you please post new links to this, the firedrive links i could never access, thank you

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  8. My favorite Mclaughlin date. The late charlie haden sounds great here as does everybody else.Thank you!

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  9. Peace 1 & 2 are soul-healing. They clear our heavy-loaded mind with elegance and carefulness. The vivid, insightful and dominant follow-up works as a recovery process to our inner self. This music is much-much more than it sounds. This is a deep painless introspection that restores your dignity and reestablishes your balance. Those who play it are fully devoted and absorbed by something intangible ...of high value.

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