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Boomer Plays Mahavishnu music in Australia

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Ted E. Bear

Ted E. Bear

Here's a review I came across of the show - sure wish he would drop in and let us know what's going on sometime. Peace, TED

Fusion a virtuoso triumph MUSIC: John McBeath | March 10, 2008
Meeting of the Spirits - Billy Cobham and Colin Towns with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Adelaide Festival Centre, Friday, March 7.

THE history of combining orchestras with jazz groups has resulted in more failures than successes, with the orchestra often merely providing sound effects and backdrops while the jazz musicians improvise.

However, Colin Towns has succeeded in completely integrating the full orchestra with a jazz septet and this celebration of the Mahavishnu Orchestra from the 1970s was an absolute triumph.

The Mahavishnu Orchestra, begun by guitarist John McLaughlin in 1971, broke new ground as a pioneer of jazz rock fusion with drummer Billy Cobham as a founding member.

English-born composer/arranger Towns has selected a dozen of McLaughlin's works, arranging them for symphony orchestra and jazz septet.

And what a septet. Every member is a virtuoso soloist with a string of awards. Towns avoided over-promoting Cobham, showcasing him in several solos but giving equal time to other players and the Adelaide Symphony. Occasionally the septet was silent during orchestral passages. One composition was introduced by an achingly beautiful solo from the lead cellist, before the lyrical trombone of Marshall Gilkes arrived, with Cobham and the rhythm section softly underpinning while the orchestra built a sympathetic accompanying structure.

Sometimes the ASO played riffs while the jazz players soloed: US saxophonist Ernie Watts on tenor utilised the instrument's range from whistling harmonics all the way down and threw in spectacular high velocity double-timed phrases. British trumpeter Guy Barker also flew up into the ultra high register, then dropped to a sob from the trumpet's difficult and rarely heard lowest notes, all with a strongly swinging rhythmic feel.

Australian-born Frank Gambale delivered echoes of the original McLaughlin guitar parts with superb styling, stoked with speeding ideas. Wearing his characteristic bandana, Cobham perfectly controlled his extended drumkit: two bass drums, four tom-toms, various side drums and a forest of cymbals.

The physically fit Cobham held the ensemble together rhythmically and soloed at astonishing speeds, sticks flashing almost invisibly, sometimes using two in each hand. Finnish pianist Jukkis Uotila seemed not quite up to the stellar playing of the others, but French electric bassist Philippe Chayeb worked well with Cobham and played at least one clever, cranked-up solo.

This was a landmark concert due to the scoring and arrangements, the professionalism of the ASO and the sheer genius of the soloists.

http://www.drumminfool.com

Woody

Woody

I'm surprised Boomer hasn't looged on, either, Ted.
Especially since Pete set this site up as a means of continuing where his old forum left off.
Go figure......
His insight on things would at least make hanging around this forum worthwhile.

https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/robertwoodbury

D. Slam

D. Slam

Having Billy chime in here from time to time would be nice...
But it's still worthwhile for me to be here regardless.

stef



hi Ted,
thanks for the review,do you no if they plan to put this in a cd:(a second meeting of the spirits...),Australia is to far away from Paris!!!Peace,stef

Suss

Suss

Woody wrote:I'm surprised Boomer hasn't looged on, either, Ted.
Especially since Pete set this site up as a means of continuing where his old forum left off.
Go figure......
His insight on things would at least make hanging around this forum worthwhile.

... .... and here I thought it was because of my good looks that you "hang around."

study

lol!

BTW, your's and Cindy's green beans, piccalilly and sundries are so tasty! As in "food" dude, and nothing else!

afro

P.S. Boomer has logged on... he's just too busy with his own concerns to be concerned about ours. Exclamation I truly love ya Woody and hope to meet you face to face one day.



Last edited by Suss on Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:52 am; edited 3 times in total (Reason for editing : To correct Woody! Relationship determines credibility... not subjective opinions that can change at a moment's notice.)

http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsussewell  http://www.facebook.co

Woody

Woody

Yes, I saw that he chimed in, Suss.
That is good.
I know a man of his stature is very busy, which is good!!!
Glad you like the sundries, John. Hopefully it will be a good growing season this year so we can reap what we sow. LOL

https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/robertwoodbury

Suss

Suss

And my kudos go to Ted E. Bear as well. We all speak with each other from time to time by phone.

That is my joy to get to know you knuckle heads... hey listen, I have callouses too!

LOL!

cyclops Like a Star @ heaven

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8Boomer Plays Mahavishnu music in Australia Empty Australia show release Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:19 pm

Ted E. Bear

Ted E. Bear

Hi Stef ,

Haven't heard anything about a release of the Australia show. Would love to hear it myself. If I hear anything, I will post it ! Peace, TED

http://www.drumminfool.com

stef



thanks Ted!just waiting...
ps:I'll take my time to read my post,in this one i wrote no instead of know ...of course!!!! Peace,stef

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