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Title: Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra
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Manufacturer: Abstract Logix Books
List Price: $24.95
Our Price: $16.40
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| Customer Reviews: |
| Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra by Abstract Logix Books Time for the reunion | | I received this book yesterday and devoured it. It is thorough and has some nice pics (though small). Now is the time for a reunion. I would willingly pay a couple of hundred bucks per ticket for myself and my neices if these guys ever decide that it's time to bury the hatchet and play their extraordinary music one more time for their fans (and fans-to-be). | | Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra by Abstract Logix Books Great Book | | I purchased this book after I saw it was up for some journalism award. I am glad I did. Power, Passion and Beauty was an excellent read! I found it fascinating and full of insight from the author, the players in the band, and many, many important musicians. I had no idea all those famous players were so influenced by the Mahavishnu Orchestra. The book is very well written and full of unique pictures. I just can't imagine how long it took just to do the research and interview everyone. I highly recommend this book to any music fan. | | Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra by Abstract Logix Books A big Disappointment | No one was a bigger fan of the M.O. than me. I couldn't get enough of this band. In fact I hold my first MO concert as one of if not the pinnacle of my Musical experience, I didn't know who they were when I saw them, I went along with a friend. I felt that I had been hit by a locomotive. That concert was life changing. So I was so anxious to read this book. I got it and yes, there 's some interesting tidbits in it , however , I felt I was reading a groupie's tell-all. I'm sorry but according to author, this band didn't play a wrong note, each performance was transcendent and God given.
I was embarrassed by the writing.
Such a disappointment, it would have been so great to really get to know the members of the band. This book was really just one long love letter to the MO.
| | Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra by Abstract Logix Books Great book | | I just wanted to write ad say I am thoroughly enjoying your book. No word of a lie, I got the book in the mail on Thursday, haven't picked it up yet today, it's Saturday morning, but I'm already on page 227. I can't seem to put it down. Really like the way it's written. The way you wrote makes me picture all of the people involved in the book all sitting in the same room together, you in the middle talking, and they interject every once in a while. Great book! | | Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra by Abstract Logix Books great content, poor delivery | 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. | | Power, Passion & Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra by Abstract Logix Books Book 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.' |
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