Mahavishnu Orchestra - Apocalypse (1974) CD Rip

Tracklist

1. Power Of Love
2. Vision Is A Naked Sword
3. Smile Of The Beyond
4. Wings Of Karma
5. Hymn To Him

personnel :

John McLaughlin - guitar
Jean-Luc Ponty - electric violin, electric baritone violin
Ralphe Armstrong - vocals, acoustic & electric basses
Gayle Moran - vocals, keyboards
Michael Walden - drums, percussion, vocals, clavinet

With:

London Symphony Orchestra
Hugh Beau - orchestra leader
Michael Tilson Thomas - piano (2), orchestra conductor
Michael Gibbs - orchestration
Marsha Westbrook - viola
Carol Shive - violin, vocals
Philip Hirschi - cello, vocals

The first recording of the second Mahavishnu Orchestra was a real stretch for John McLaughlin, an encounter with Michael Tilson Thomas and the London Symphony Orchestra. The union wasn't taken seriously at the time, and it ended up harming the reputation of Thomas -- a remarkably adventurous young conductor who defied the stuffy classical powers-that-be and thus probably delayed his eventual rise to the top -- more than McLaughlin. But those with ears, then and now, beheld a remarkable series of pieces that neatly juxtapose and occasionally combine the combustion of McLaughlin's group with rich, tasteful symphonic statements orchestrated for McLaughlin by Michael Gibbs. The new Mahavishnu-ites, electric violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and keyboardist/vocalist Gayle Moran, have their moments, but the real focus of this disc is the quality of the symphonic conceptions and how well McLaughlin blends his lyrical and fiery guitar into the mixture. The best stretch is the breathtakingly ethereal opening of "Hymn to Him"; the promise of fusing rock, jazz, and classical elements had never been executed so alluringly before -- and wouldn't you know, an old experienced hand at introducing classical textures into rock, the Beatles' George Martin, is the producer. Don't let old, outworn preconceptions on either side of the fence prevent you from checking out this beautiful record.~Richard S. Ginell