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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best of MO and outstanding value: never mind the sleeve notes, just listen to the music
5 Nov 2011
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This 5-album collection is outstanding value: for around £12, you can acquire almost all the essential work of John McLaughlin's legendary MO in one package.
The first three albums `The Inner Mounting Flame', `Birds of Fire' and - recorded live in Central Park NYC in 1973 - `Between Nothingness and Eternity' feature the original virtuoso line-up of McLaughlin, Hammer, Goodman, Cobham and Laird. The later two albums feature line-up changes and the deployment of orchestral strings, and don't quite have the dynamism, the take-your-breath-away energy-burst of the first three. They're good, though, and important milestones of this busy period in the evolution of rock-jazz fusion.
The only conspicuous absence is the later-released `The Lost Trident Sessions' featuring the studio material planned for the third album, some of which is performed live on BNAT but which is otherwise unavailable; and the lesser known `Inner Worlds', from 1976. The inclusion of these disks would have completed the package, but you'll have to buy them separately.
Some reviewers have complained about mistakes and omissions in the sleeve notes offered with this package, a criticism with some merit. However, it's important to keep a sense of perspective. If you buy this package, you will acquire almost all the music of the greatest fusion band ever, on high-quality digital CDs, at an unbeatable price. If having the sleeve notes is important to you then get them off the web, or go buy the individual CDs separately.
Meanwhile, just listen: the production quality of the sound is exemplary, like the original albums, and at this price you can't go wrong.
The first three albums `The Inner Mounting Flame', `Birds of Fire' and - recorded live in Central Park NYC in 1973 - `Between Nothingness and Eternity' feature the original virtuoso line-up of McLaughlin, Hammer, Goodman, Cobham and Laird. The later two albums feature line-up changes and the deployment of orchestral strings, and don't quite have the dynamism, the take-your-breath-away energy-burst of the first three. They're good, though, and important milestones of this busy period in the evolution of rock-jazz fusion.
The only conspicuous absence is the later-released `The Lost Trident Sessions' featuring the studio material planned for the third album, some of which is performed live on BNAT but which is otherwise unavailable; and the lesser known `Inner Worlds', from 1976. The inclusion of these disks would have completed the package, but you'll have to buy them separately.
Some reviewers have complained about mistakes and omissions in the sleeve notes offered with this package, a criticism with some merit. However, it's important to keep a sense of perspective. If you buy this package, you will acquire almost all the music of the greatest fusion band ever, on high-quality digital CDs, at an unbeatable price. If having the sleeve notes is important to you then get them off the web, or go buy the individual CDs separately.
Meanwhile, just listen: the production quality of the sound is exemplary, like the original albums, and at this price you can't go wrong.
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By P. Dunhill
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is easily the best starting place for anyone interested in discovering the heady 70's Mahavishnu brew. Whilst I agree with the previous reviewer that more scrutiny of the liner credits/notes should have been carried out by the folks at Sony I do think to actually count the number of errors made seems a little over the top to me. A sense of perspective is needed, methinks. Sorry - for me life is too short to worry about these - just enjoy the music. Having grown up with the music I know who played what and there is always the net if one needs more info. All in all this and the accompanying McLaughlin set are superb value for the price and I would unreservedly recommend them to anyone wishing to discover the world of one of Britain's, nay the world's, best guitarists.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I saw the reviews for this box I ordered a copy right away. I had the 1st and 2nd on album and Apocalypse on cd - selling those paid for the box! I've been a big fan of Mahavishnu since I saw them at Knebworth in the 70's. Having these 5 recordings in their original sleeves and digitally remastered just makes me play them more which is all you can ask of a re-release. I have no issue at all with the absence of inner sleeve notes as only Apocalypse and Emerald Beyond had them anyway.
Buying this made me curious as to what else was available and I was pleasantly surprised to see John's old boss Miles Davis is available as well as Soft Machine Weather Report and Tom Waits. I guess downloads - fee and otherwise - have led to the cheap release price and for that, we can all be grateful.
Buying this made me curious as to what else was available and I was pleasantly surprised to see John's old boss Miles Davis is available as well as Soft Machine Weather Report and Tom Waits. I guess downloads - fee and otherwise - have led to the cheap release price and for that, we can all be grateful.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I did buy it for my husband for christmas and after two weeks he is still playing it in his car!!!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By malc400
Format:Audio CD
5 great albums in paper sleeves with the original album art. No additional notes but if you have the original albums on vinyl then it won't matter. Fantastic value for money.
9 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a fabulously cheap way of acquiring this music. Marvellous playing by all the personnel in each incarnation of the group. Don't worry about crap liner notes and cheap presentation this is ensemble playing of the utmost brilliance.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Brilliant value! The five cd's here show the Mahavisnu Orchestra at there incendiary best. The amazing thing apon re-listening to these albums is the extraordinary energy. especially the ones with the Billy Cobham line up. John McLaughlin playes like a man on fire. My only slight criticism here would be that Jan Hammer just plays too many notes. Big John playes a lot of notes too, they just happen to be the right ones. Brilliant punky jazz!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Bartman
Format:Audio CD
A fine retrospective from one of the most innovative bands of the 70's. Some of the later stuff is less inventive and probably done to attract a wider audience,more encouraged by the record label than the band I suspect!! However this is a must have for anyone who likes their music to excite and intrigue. Impeccable musicianship throughout with many spine-tingling moments!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mahavishnu in the box
I love Original Album Classics series because one can get collection from one author in compact package at affordable price. Read more
Published 8 days ago by opa getza
5.0 out of 5 stars
Does this Contain the Extra "From Nothingness To Eternity" tracks...
Let me state at the outset that I think the price and value of this product is superb. One thing which irks me beyond belief, however, is that on Amazon. Read more
Published 5 months ago by James Caldwell
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mahavishnu Orchestra - The Complete Columbia Albums Collection
For just over thirty quid you can get all the albums plus Nothingness to Eternity expanded by an hour and a brilliant live Noonward Race as well as a book. Read more
Published 15 months ago by R. GARDNER
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not My Style Of Music
To be honest I purchased this set on the basis of having heard only two tracks at my relations house. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mr. Charles H. Huxtable
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful fusion music and guitar playing
John McLaughlin can play guitar faster than anyone - not sure that's a good thing in itself, but there is no doubt he is a complete master of his instrument. Read more
Published on 9 April 2011 by Mr. Terry Richardson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Boring or Staggering?
I stumbled across this box set at the local record shop a few months ago. It brought memories of the 70's flooding back. Read more
Published on 12 May 2009 by J. Smart
5.0 out of 5 stars
The booklet some reviewer complains about is not a problem now...
... Because Sony has removed it. Only the cds come into de the pocket, with their original LP Covers, very well packaged. Read more
Published on 14 April 2008 by O. Guedez
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