Birds of Fire

Artist: Mahavishnu Orchestra With John McLaughlin
Label: Sony
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD

UPC: 074643199629
EAN: 0074643199629
ASIN: B000002501

Release Date: 1990-10-25

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Jazz Fusion

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CDs $7 - $10

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Tracks:

Birds Of Fire
Miles Beyond
Celestial Terrestrial Commuters
Sapphire Bullets Of Pure Love
Thousand Island Park
Hope
One Word
Sanctuary
Open Country Joy
Resolution

Similar Items:

The Inner Mounting Flame
Between Nothingness and Eternity
Visions of the Emerald Beyond
Apocalypse
Romantic Warrior

Customer Reviews:

Sublime Experimentation.......2007-01-31

The first time I heard Mahavishnu Orchestra's second studio album, I had no idea what to think. I didn't know if I hated it or loved it- all I knew for sure was that it bowled me over. Another listen convinced me it was good, and by the third listen, I was (and still am) certain that this is one of the single greatest achivements of the fusion era. Make no mistake, though- despite its "fusion" label, Weather Report this ain't. Imagine if Jimi Hendrix and John Bonham started a band with Joe Zawinul and John Entwhistle. Then imagine they played in 19/16 or 13/8 on every track. Specifics aside, that's the basic sound. Purists will surely scoff, but an open minded listener can't help but be consumed entirely by the scorching, molten tracks contained herein. Birds of Fire indeed.

If You're Thinking of Upgrading Your Old Copy..........2007-01-28

...Don't. This 2000 remaster is no better than the original from the 80's. In fact, if you still have the vinyl and a turntable, you're probably better off than those of us with the CD's. I was so disappointed with the sound quality of this remaster that I removed "The Inner Mounting Flame" from my wish list. I'll wait until someone remasters these right.

A Work of Genius.......2006-10-03

I bought this album back in 1973,and this has always seemed like a work of genius. The line-up of electric violin (Goodman), guitar (Mclaughlin), keyboards (Hammer), drums (Cobham) and bass (Laird)was new. The music is influenced by Coltrane, Cream, Lifetime, Indian music and probably Miles' Bitches Brew band. Although they use electric instruments, the music is complicated and difficult to listen to. Its speed and ferocity make it challenging and alien for those not familiar with jazz. Ken Scott who engineered for the Beatles and later produced David Bowie made the album sound like a rock album.

At the time, the musicianship and the interplay were a revelation. Jazz critics accused these guys of selling out, but it's much more adventurous than the average jazz album of its time. in 1973, Jeff Beck declared the Orchestra the best band in the world, and he was probaly right.

Extroadinary.......2006-08-09

Tight musicianship, memorable tracks, and just flat out amazing. This is fusion jazz at its finest.

One of a Kind.......2006-06-29

This cd gives you the best taste of Mahavishnu Orchestra (MO) and also evokes other groups I like: Miles Beyond - Weather Report; Celestial Terrestrial - Hendrix; Thousand Island Park - Jethro Tull; Hope - Beethoven; One Word - YES; Sanctuary - Pink Floyd; Open Country Jam - Grateful Dead; Resolution - Talking Heads. The songs are very well composed, performed, arranged and organized.

There is one weakness though and I think it has to do with the compressed timeframes for music between 1967 and 1974, roughly speaking. This album (1971) has too much of a rock-influenced, poor me heaviness about it, unlike some of the compositions on the "Lost Trident Sessions." LTS lacks the density of musical ideas and blatant compositional motifs that make this one so popular and highly regarded. On the other hand, the music on LTS is less contained by rigid compositional fixtures and, as a result, is, in some ways, more enjoyable to listen to. BOF seems more forced and is great if you are not trying to do anything else while you're listening to it. LTS seems to be more patient, nebulous, and evolved compositionally, so you can read a book and listen to it. (You do have to wade through some weak compositions though.) I think if MO had been able to combine the strengths of these two releases in one effort, the result would have been quite awesome. I'm curious to find out what "Between Nothingness and Eternity" sounds like.

One word of advice: I bought this version of the cd (its been remastered) because I felt the sound was much fuller than the cheaper, original version. I would recommend sampling both before deciding which one to get because I think this one is worth the extra money.

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