Shortly after completing a successful European tour with the 4th Dimension, guitarist John McLaughlin has some time to put his well-traveled feet up at his home in Monaco and reflect on the evolution of this band, its second CD, Now Here This (Abstract Logix, 2012), and the mysteries of live performance. Yet, just two days before this phone interview took place, the great Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar passed away at the age of 92, and it seems more than appropriate to begin the interview by asking McLaughlin to share his thoughts on his former teacher, guru and friend.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JOHN!!!
زاد روزت مبارک استاد
…says McLaughlin. « I learned about it at 7:30 in the morning on the news. I knew he (Ravi Shankar) had been very sick, but I was very upset. I know he’s in a better place…..
John,
where is this better place and what is it like?
Is it, by any chance, a metaphysical place/realm/plane which has no actual existence outside of passionate human imagination?
You still have primitive beliefs and eastern mysticism is none other than religion.
I do, generally, appreciate your music though.
Regards
Cheers for passive-aggressively insulting one of the greatest living guitarists and more than half of humanity with your tasteless comment. Your comment seems quite judgementa. Consider that these so-called « primitive » Eastern folk have meditated and passed down their experiences for thousands of years..but what would they know. You seem to really not understand that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. I will pray for both of us, as we are all reflections of one another…
Hello John,
Happy Birthday to you. We share the same month for birthdays.
I always look forward to new music from you. Thanks so much.
Please come back to Colorado, and the Boulder Theater. Hearing you
play live is the best.
Sincerely,
John
Happy Birthday Blessings, John!
Thanks for all your musical gifts and shards of LIGHT
p.s. You recently mentioned in an interview your love for Pharoah Sanders. Pharoah is one of my musical gods as is Mr. Charles LLoyd. Have you ever had much contact with Charles?
PEACE!!
Best wishes to my all-time favorite guitarist.
John, what are the chances of you recording a totally solo acoustic guitar album? I have heard the 1972? solo recording you made and thought is was brilliant and would love to here what you would do now in the same vein.
Thanks,
Charles Beck
Austin TX
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN and thanks for all your musical life!
Happy Happy Birthday Jon
You music has elevated inner and outer world music conscientiousness…..
I am still recovering from Sluggs NYC 1968