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
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!
