Mahavishnu Orchestra - Birds of Fire
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CD Details
Artist: Mahavishnu OrchestraEdition: Music CD
Format: Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2000-08-08
Music Label: Sony
Soundtracks:
- Birds Of Fire
- Miles Beyond
- Celestial Terrestrial Commuters
- Sapphire Bullets Of Pure Love
- Thousand Island Park
- Hope
- One Word
- Sanctuary
- Open Country Joy
- Resolution
Music reviews of Birds of Fire
Music Review: Musical Coffee: A Review by the Ignorant, for the Ignorant.
Rating: 5 Stars
I begin by clarifying my lack of credentials;
-I have no musical training whatsoever; I couldn't tell a whole note from a treble clef (that's pretty bad)!
-I did grow up in a house with musicians. That's why I even know this album exists.
-I learned to appreciate many forms of music even if I don't completely understand them.
-I learned how to "fake" playing the drums; I could play along but not tell you what time signature I was using.
-I know very little about the structure of music outside of chorus and verse; extremely basic stuff (and even then I'm shaky).
With all this in mind you can feel safe in the knowledge that this review will certainly not be over your head (It might be laughably beneath you). That said, lets get to the point;
I absolutely love "Birds of Fire". My teenage brothers would listen to this repeatedly when I was around 10. Being an ignorant kid, I grew tired of the noise. I liked some of it but certainly did not appreciate what it was. Now I can't keep myself from listening; it is highly addictive. I'll explain what I like about "Bird of Fire" in categorized vignettes.
-MUSICAL COFFEE
Since I bought this CD, every morning I start my car and then start "Celestial, Terrestrial Commuters". Suddenly, my senses are heightened, my adrenaline kicks in, my brain starts racing (instead of running on auto-pilot) and I feel more alive. After about 4 straight days of listening to nothing else, I decided to try something different. I felt the lights in my brain turn out; back in goes "Birds of Fire".
-FREEING MINDS ONE CHILD AT A TIME
A couple of times my nine year old daughter was with me in the car while listening to "BOF". Now she can't wait to ride with Dad so she can hear "CTC"; she thinks it's really cool. Of course, I pointed out some of the things that were happening in the music (since she had no experience with rock/jazz fusion before). I told her to listen for the violin, guitar, and keyboards. She thought the use of violin in this kind of music was pretty unique (she's a smart girl). She really likes Jan Hammer's "quacking" synthesizer and the way the guitar and violin battled each other. I explained to her that the musicians composed and played this kind of music because they enjoyed inventing new styles of music; not because others might enjoy hearing it. This was a new concept for her. She is currently a "Hanna Montana" fan. I also told her that not too many people are willing to risk being different; although being different can often lead to great things. She really appreciated the fact "MO" were "fresh". In fact; she had no idea these songs were 35 years old.
-HAVING EVER ATTEMPTED TO PLAY ANY ISTRUMENT IS HELPFUL
I think my daughter enjoys this because she is learning piano. She understands how difficult it is to be great at an instrument and therefore appreciates this music. I, having dabbled on the drums and grown up with musicians, have gained some appreciation for the hidden complexity of what virtuosos accomplish. Of course, this is not a requirement but it seems to help.
-JAM SESSION OF THE GODS
Having musicians in my family, I had the pleasure of experiencing backyard jam sessions. I never saw musicians have so much fun; it beats working (i.e. writing and performing professionally). This album feels like a jam session from heaven. These guys were not as concerned with tight production values as they were the emotional impact of the music. Being part jazz, improvisation and jamming are part of "MO's" music. What makes this album so approachable for me is this loosey-goosey attitude that prevails despite the virtuosity of the performers and the unconventional structure of the songs. Sometimes you think they have no clue where they are going, yet you get there and you enjoyed the trip. Unlike the prog-rock and fusion that followed, which is usually very tight and concerned with perfection, this music is very flawed and human and therefore very welcoming to the willing listener, especially a musical moron like me.
-I HEAR INFLUENCE
I never thought I would write this in a review but here goes; THIS CD ROCKS!!! So, those of you who weren't sure if you would like this kind of music, I think that phrase clarified my point. When I listen to "BOF" I hear bits and pieces of music that occurred after it. John McLaughlin found his inspiration in Jazz, Classical, Funk, Rock, Country, and Indian... ...well, basically everything. Given this wildly diverse "fusion" of musical genres, it's difficult not to hear something strangely familiar upon first listen. However, after hearing this album you will be certain you've heard some of this stuff in newer music. I'm nearly certain that the Pop-rock band "Journey" was heavily influenced by "MO" in their earlier incarnations. I think there is a good chance you'll find a similarly influenced band in your catalogue. That's this layman's take anyway.
-MY RECOMMENDATION
If you are like me (a musical moron) and not easily intimidated by the "avant-garde" this might be right up your alley. I consider myself blessed with ignorance in regards to this collection. It appears some hoity-toity musicians find serious fault with "Birds of Fire" (many don't). If you appreciate extremely lively, proficient yet human musicianship with piles of emotion, this might be for you. I can't get enough, warts and all. If you consider yourself musically adventurous, I would also suggest you take a shot. If you require vocals in your music; stay away. Another review here suggest that starting with this CD instead of the earlier "The Inner Mounting Flame" might help you enjoy "Birds of Fire" even more because they are both very similar (the lack of change would be disappointing). On this point I totally agree. If forced to make a choice, this is the more approachable collection of "songs" and the more satisfying journey to undertake for the ignorant (like me) and educated alike.
Description of Birds of Fire
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