Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra (Paperback)

by Walter Kolosky (Author)
Key Phrases: inner mounting flame, greatest band, ring modulator, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jan Hammer, Rick Laird (more...)

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 Description
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.'

Product Details

• Paperback: 313 pages
• Publisher: Abstract Logix Books (July 18, 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 (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #99,267 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 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 (REAL NAME)

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.

7 of 7 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 (REAL NAME)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeping the Flame Alive About the Mahavishnu Orchestra, January 13, 2007

By	Kurt Kroeber "Dedicated music fan" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a fan of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, I have such vivid memories of seeing the band in performance during the early 1970s. After requesting a minute of silence (in which you could literaly hear a pin drop), John McLaughlin and the his fellow band mates would launch into its performance. The ferocity and intensity of the live performance would literally make your hair stand on edge and give you the feeling of what it must be like to be caught within a hurricane. I still have visions of John McLaughlin and his double-necked Gibson pointing to the skies and playing with a speed and dexterity unlike anything I had ever witnessed. I became a believer. Simply amazing...

"Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra" by Walter Kolosy fully captures that feeling; it totally defines what makes the Mahavishnu Orchestra "the greatest band that there ever was." The author weaves the story of the creation (and demise) of the Mahavishnu Orchestra through the eyes and ears of a fan. But beyond the author's words, you will also hear the words of the band members from Mahavishnu Orchestra 1 and 2 as well as of those who witnessed this band and had their lives and musical influences changed forever. Legendary musicians such as Pat Metheny, Jimmy Herring, Jeff Beck, John Abercrombie, Steve Morse, Chick Corea, and Herbie Hancock (to name just a few) all agreed to share their thoughts on the band in this book.

The world has never lost interest in the Mahavishnu Orchestra; if anything it clamors to hear its works, see its performances, and to know more about the band and what it represented in the world of jazz and rock. There is an entire younger generation that continues to hunger for music by this band. This book is a must read for fans as well as for those who are curious about the legacy of the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Who knows, perhaps this book will become a catalyst to have the band reform. God knows we need the Mahavishnu Orchestra and its message of spiritual harmony now more than ever.