The great improvisational guitarist, who has worked with a number of prominent Indian musicians, believes music is the sum of our life story.
A few weeks ago, just before Israel started bombing Gaza, British-born guitar virtuoso John McLaughlin played a concert in Ramallah. This was the second time that he’d performed in Palestine since 2012, reiterating his commitment to bringing the world’s attention to the oppressions of the people of the Occupied Territories. “The situation must change,” he has said, calling for the demolition of “the wall that divides Israel from the West Bank, and Palestinian families from each other ”.
Excellent article. Eastern philosophies seem to have got there ahead of me every time. Now, Palestine – the one subject above all others that attracts people who are convinced they are right, when actually we’re all wrong. John, you’re going to get flamed for it, which is sad. If it makes your musical touring life difficult, remember, you can always be a great success on the lecture tour on Leadership, which even above music, you have shown enormous talent for.
Yes!! It is time for all of this to end!! The world is too small..let’s stop the identifying with identities.. LOVE and Music is where we can all meet.. so simple to go past the limits of our viewpoints, opinions, and (dead) righteousness!!! Thank you John McLaughlin with your message of love and inspiration…your music of eternal depth vision and breathlessness!! Together we can all alter the world..
I don’t know a greater hero than you, Maestro. Music has the power to draw attention to issues that the world is pushed to overlook by the corrupt controlled global media outlets. As I’m beggining to understand more about the value of this blessing of music we share, I realize more and more that it’s potency lies in truth and the responsibility that carries with it is epic in proportion. To be educated means nothing, to use that education to help make the world a better place is the true purpose of the devotion. That is love. I’m truly moved to tears at the moment. I haven’t been online enough to stay updated on how things are Maestro, but I pray for you and wish you and your family much health and happiness. Please please come to Michigan soon!
Your spiritual son,
Omar Taji
John,
I have been an admirer of your artistry since the Graham Bond Organisation, I too am a guitarist and I follow your modal way of improvising, and you now, that is life, we all have our modes, but we improvise in order to « fit » with those that can’t « improvise »…and that’s life..the problems arise with those that don;t seem to have developed an understanding of how to improvise…or ..co-operate …and that is our goal…to somehow communicate that…and get them to understand that there are no absolutes…it is ALL improvisation (read..co-operation)….bless you.
Let John Mclaughlin walk down the streets of Gaza at twilight and see if he makes out alive.
Such a hypocrite, stick to playing music. Musicians and politics don’t mix.
FYI, there is no such place as Palestine, never was…
If you are truly enlightened John, you may wish to stay mum on politics. « Render unto Caesar. »
Are you unable to say « yes » to the pain and suffering of the world, as Sri Krishnamenon advised Joseph Campbell? For you to appear to take sides in this conflict is, I must say, quintessentially British, media-savvy and desirous of approval by the propagandized masses, and wholly not in keeping with the image I have cherished of you. How sad.
Very hard situation of Gaza, but south of Israel suffers of rockets from Gaza, I don’t know how many thousands of bombs. Not only rockets: stabbing, shoves of organized terrorist groups. All that happened at Europe at last years happened first at all Israel. Many provoke fires happened at Israel at October of 2016 but no one say nothing about terrorism at this country. Yes all occupied territories must be free but from terrorists that oppresses but palestinian and israeli people.
Oh, for Sri’s sake. Shut up and play.
John McLaughlin is obviously under influence on this issue. I have always liked his guitar playing though not always his compositions but those biased political views expressed without even having made the effort to discuss them with each side certainly disappoint me about the man. I really thought John was a much more open minded and intelligent bloke. Him and Roger Waters would be well advised to stick to their music.