Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra [Paperback]

Walter Kolosky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2006

Starting in 1971 and lasting in one form or another for five years, the Mahavishnu Orchestra exploded onto the popular music scene while simultaneously trashing all existing conventions, forging a new direction that is still controversial to this day. The loudest and fastest band in the entire world, the MO literally could 'scare' people - yet also could create music of great beauty. All five members of the original band: John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman and Rick Laird cooperated with the author. In addition, over 100 people, including some of the world's greatest musicians and artists, provide comments exclusive to this book. Among those commenting for the book are Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Jeff Beck, Sir George Martin, Jean-Luc Ponty, Peter Max, Joe Zawinul, Bill Frisell, Dennis Chambers, Bill Bruford, Peter Erskine, Jimmy Herring, Jonas Hellborg, Mark Egan, John Scofield, Steve Lukather, Lyle Mays, Steve Morse, Joey DeFrancesco, Narada Michael Walden and many, many more.

Stuart Nicholson for Jazzwise magazine says, '...I enjoyed this book. It's a good read and communicates the real significance of one of jazz's great ensembles.'

Bloomberg News' Paul Goguen (Host of Bloomberg Muse) says Power, Passion and Beauty, '...is skillfully researched and assembled from the band's formation to its demise. It is a must read for any Mahavishnu or music fan.'

Colin Harper of Mojo Magazine writes: '...definitively researched - and page-turning account - from conception to destruction to a kind of resurrection. Forget about punk: this is 403 chords and the truth.'

The Boston Phoenix says that Power, Passion and Beauty is, 'an entertaining ride.'

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a terrific story beautifully told." -- Allaboutjazz.com

"One of the greatest books to come out in 2006." -- Tom Gagliardi of the Gagliarchives Radio and Internet show

"a fascinating story of the music, the spirit of the times, and of the people. A must read..." -- Jazzrockworld.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 313 pages
• Publisher: Abstract Logix Books (July 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976101629
• ISBN-13: 978-0976101628
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #554,981 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Walter Kolosky is best known for his work on the music of the guitarist/composer John McLaughlin. In 2010, he gave a lecture about that music at the Cordoba Guitar Festival in Cordoba, Spain. Kolosky is the author of the acclaimed book about the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Power, Passion and Beauty. His latest work, Follow Your Heart, continues his study of McLaughlin's music song by song since 1969. Follow Your Heart is an invaluable listener's guide, history, reference book and source of inspiration all rolled into one.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faction, not Fiction, August 4, 2006

By 

R. laird "cyberpainter" (New City,NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra (Paperback)

A most enjoyable read, Walter knows more about the MO then I do and I was the bass player! The facts are covered and there are bios of each of the members prior to the formation of the band
along with interviews from Pat Methany, Herbie Hancock and many others, plus some great photos. If you were a MO fan, you've got to read this book.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars great content, poor delivery, August 17, 2007

By 

L. Ooley "http://www.myspace.com/centeran" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra (Paperback)

Due to the extensive and detailed research, this book is a must-read for any die-hard MO fan; but be prepared to slog through some lame prose.

Positives: Due to the paucity of information that has been available on the MO in the past, the depth and variety of insights that Kolosky has collected in this book are both astounding and riveting. The interviews with the band members are particularly great to read. The book humanizes every member, and does a good job of showing how each of them brought different talents, perspectives and insecurities that led to both the brilliance and the eventual demise of the group. I felt confident that Kolosky has left no stone unturned in his quest to illuminate us as to exactly what made the MO so great.

Negatives: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the MO, and can honestly say that their music has affected my life more than any other art I have ever encountered. But even I was put off by Kolosky's simpering fanboy tone. While the research is meticulous and impressive, the quality of the writing made the book an absolute drudge to read. A biased, reverent tone is welcome, as are some personal thoughts; but Kolosky often intrudes on the story, digressing and generally mucking it up with his opinions and self-indulgence. You're going to have to be a VERY dedicated fan to make it through.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An important book, with flaws, September 4, 2006

By 

P. L Schmelzer "clausewitz" (hasty, co) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra (Paperback)

The good news is you have to agree with most of Kolosky's conclusions regarding the place of the MO in the history of music. They remain unique, spanning the improvisation of jazz, the compositional sensibility of classicism, the rhythmic variation of Indian music and the energy and power of Rock. The bad news is Kolosky's methodology and his own limitations prevent a completely satisfying book. The book consists almost entirely of interviews, which in and of itself is not a problem. but in telling the story Kolosky doesn't always ask the right questions. He does effectively trace the careers of the key participants and the interviews provide a wealth of anecdotal information detailing the short life of the Mo, but his lack of technical knowledge leave us still guessing at the processes that created this unique band, its triumphs and limitations.