It’s been a staggering 43 years since the silver haired Doncaster boy-done-good played at Ronnie Scott’s, a fact that made even the steely eyed John McLaughlin pause for a moment, seemingly choked with emotion. For indeed it was something of a homecoming, a return to his humble beginnings, before he’d levitated off into the stratosphere of guitar-god-dom and a return to this most intimate and hallowed of stages. Thus if the packed audience had expected to blown away by a whirlwind of guitar fireworks on the opening odd-metered blues rock of ‘Raju’ it was perhaps reassuring that the odd slip of the finger and wobbly note was evidence of McLaughlin’s humanity, even he finding the intensity of the Ronnie Scott’s stage an imposing prospect for the opening few minutes. This was precisely the reason tonight’s gig had an extra frisson of excitement, to see one of the guitar world’s biggest beasts away from his natural habitat of roaming the savannah of the large concert hall stages, and in a far more personalised and up close environment.
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A beautiful review . Makes me imagine I was one of the blessed ones that was there .
Thanks for great concerts in both Montreux and Molde, especially your rendition of Vuelta Abajo and Vashkar by the Tony Williams Lifetime was appreciated. It was nice that A Love Supreme was included in both sets.
Well, I didn’t see 4th Dimension at Ronnie’s, but I did see them at the Casino de Paris a night or two later: very enjoyable, and John has a great sound. The band was very together, and generated so much energy, whilst in the midst of it all John was so…calm. I realised afterwards that this was the fourth time in 20 years or so I’ve seen John play, and each time in a different context (the JM Trio, the Free Spirits, Remember Shakti and now the 4th Dimension). I just hope that he will keep surprising and delighting us.
Whay a great review!Wish iwas there-recording it!!!