Visions of the Emerald Beyond

Amazon.com
Even though it is not as consistently convincing as Mahavishnu's first two albums, this fifth, 1975 outing nonetheless provides plenty of the same listening rewards--urgent, inexorably forceful jazz-rock fusion with an intense interactivity among the players. Jean-Luc Ponty provides the fresh interest. Always most convincing when employed, rather than in charge, here he revels in the open spaces and blissed prompting that McLaughlin's celestial-run formula provides. The album was one of a few later Mahavishnu recordings that announced that the revolutionary band's mission was near completion, and perhaps already played out. McLaughlin's playing soars at some points, but it was time for him to leave the capsule, and settle into a new phase: his extraordinary Shakti collaborations. --Peter Monaghan

Visions of the Emerald Beyond,Mahavishnu Orchestra,Sony,Fusion,Jazz,Jazz Music,Jazz-Rock,Pop

Average customer rating: Visions of the emerald beyond Marvelous creation from McLaughlin. John M has really gotten into the jazz and funk with this! Probably their best Mahavishnu I Is Better. So Is Apocalypse

Visions of the Emerald Beyond Mahavishnu Orchestra Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Apocalypse Between Nothingness and Eternity Birds of Fire The Inner Mounting Flame The Lost Trident Sessions ASIN: B0000027EU Release Date: 1990-12-29

Tracks:

1. Eternity's Breath Part 1
2. Eternity's Breath Part 2
3. Lila's Dance
4. Can't Stand Your Funk
5. Pastoral
6. Faith
7. Cosmic Strut
8. If I Could See
9. Be Happy
10. Earth Ship
11. Pegasus
12. Opus
13. On The Way Home to Earth

Amazon.com

Even though it is not as consistently convincing as Mahavishnu's first two albums, this fifth, 1975 outing nonetheless provides plenty of the same listening rewards--urgent, inexorably forceful jazz-rock fusion with an intense interactivity among the players. Jean-Luc Ponty provides the fresh interest. Always most convincing when employed, rather than in charge, here he revels in the open spaces and blissed prompting that McLaughlin's celestial-run formula provides. The album was one of a few later Mahavishnu recordings that announced that the revolutionary band's mission was near completion, and perhaps already played out. McLaughlin's playing soars at some points, but it was time for him to leave the capsule, and settle into a new phase: his extraordinary Shakti collaborations. --Peter Monaghan

Customer Reviews:

Visions of the emerald beyond.......2007-03-30

All the great groups seem to hit that stride of 3 or more great albums. This is one of their best 3 along with the inner mounting flame and birds of fire. They really made their best music on these records.

Marvelous creation from McLaughlin........2007-02-21

The title of this review summarizes my feelings.
Fantastic playing, recording, mixing & production.
As an historic MO fan, I had already bought this gem in LP format in the seventies, but this CD edition is incomparably better.
The 1990 issue adds clarity, quality and emotion.
Although some people may attribute "commercial" aspects for the MO-2,
I believe "Visions" is still MO best album ever.
Ponty added dynamic, rhythm and speed to the music, a master amidst the masters...
I agree that both lineups have this pros & cons, and this is not under trial.
Worth each cent you pay and more....

John M has really gotten into the jazz and funk with this!.......2007-01-10

What an etherial display of John Mclaughlin's and Jean Luc Ponty's collaboration attempt. This Attempt works well.
PLeased to own it.

Probably their best.......2005-12-30

This is a classic and probably their best recording.
I would skip track four as it spoils the work here,
but otherwise a classic rock/jazz/fusion at the height of this band career.

Mahavishnu I Is Better. So Is Apocalypse.......2005-12-02

The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Apocalypse
The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Visions of the Emerald Beyond

Mahavishnu II was nowhere as good as MI, but it had its good points in this inaugural album, most notably the pristine of electric violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. McLaughlin still generates the heat but sounds like he is recycling more forceful work from earlier albums. The drumming, bass and keyboards are unexceptional but not notable. There is a pretty vocal solo by keyboardist Gayle Moran on "Smile of the Beyond." All in all, there's too much recycled in this album, the musicians (Ponty and McLaughlin excepted) are mediocre at best, and the Buddhist propagandizing seems egregious. But at least it's better than the next album, Visions of the Emerald Beyond, which has almost nothing to recommend it, except for its moments of ersatz funk ("Cosmic Strut," "Can't Stand Your Funk").

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