1. Eternity’s Breath Part 1 (3:10)
2. Eternity’s Breath Part 2 (4:48)
3. Lila’s Dance (5:34)
4. Can’t Stand Your Funk (2:09)
5. Pastoral (3:41)
6. Faith (2:00)
7. Cosmic Strut (3:28)
8. If I Could See (1:18)
9. Be Happy (3:31)
10. Earth Ship (3:42)
11. Pegasus (1:48)
12. Opus 1 (0:15)
13. On The Way Home To Earth (4:34)
Visions Of The Emerald Beyond – 1975
Here are some of the best compositions you’ll hear this side of Heaven ! With many odd time signatures !
„Quinque sunt fratres, duo sunt barbati, duo sine barba nati, unus e quinque non habet barbam utrinque.“ translation: there are 5 brothers, 2 with a beard, 2 without, and 1 with a beard on one side. » What’s that?
The hidden meaning of the rose and the number 5 seems to be the main topic on McLaughlin’s „Visions of the Emerald Beyond“. Most of the titles are counted in a metre of 5 beats. That could be the reason why we see a big rose on the backside of the record envelope. Another great german scholar – Leibniz- said that the human soul is calculating when it listens to music, without knowing that it is calculating ( Musica est exercitium arithmeticae occultum nescientis se numerare animi ) In western music tradition the relationship between rhythm and mathematics had always been dulled and confused since the priest Sebastian Virdung stated that playing drums comes from the devil because it is too loud and bad for prayers or meditations (in his book „die musica getutscht“ 1511 ).
Mahavishnu’s music with its spiritual awareness is the best counter-example. Sensuality and logic meet one another.
Can someone tell about guitar sounds/effects on that album!? What pedals and amps you know. Those were awesome! I just love that album!
Dear John, could you do me a short history of how did this wonderful album? I want to make it known to some dear friends, and I would like to present you with even an his explanation, if possible.
Thank you for your great music!
this album has a very special place in my heart… I bought it on a sunny day in february 1975, (like is today) …. as a late birthday gift for myself… and was fascinated and very touched by by the beauty… virtuosity and power in the music… thank your for the music..!!!
I had seen you once in a Paris metro John. I had a Guitar Player magasin in hand that I was attentively reading from top to bottom when I glanced up to this smiling and unaudibly laughinly person starring at me who was certainly and probably asking himself just what it was I was so interestingly reading! It wasn’t until you had left and a couple of stations latter that I realized it was you. The time before that was at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco. We were, my wife and I one of the lucky ones to have attended Friday night in San Francisco ! What made it to disc seems more in tune with the Saturday night show I’ve always said to myself. But whatever, it was a magical weekend. The time before that I had seen you in St.Paul on the Love Devotion Surrender Tour. Davadip, You an incredible orchestra and us Earthlings. Serious!, it really felt that way. We were in a trance and brought to heaven and back. Anyway going back to the beginning my new copy of Emerald Beyond just arrived yesterday. As extraordinary as it was the first time I heard it on vinyl back in what year was it for me 1974. I’ve always loved this album. I sends me every time. Really an achievement and listener experience. What were the sessions like ? We see it was recorded at Electric Lady NYC. Would Eddie Kramer have made a difference? Questions questions there are so many. It would be great if CBS would provide you a way to get back in the studio to remaster the remasters So to speak. Jimmy Page was able to Remaster the Zep catologue with surprising results. Hopefully for the fans and of course your own posterity we pray. Next on the musical menu today Birds Of Fire. Thanks for the music John.
Cheers