On a scale of 0 to 10--with 0 representing zero possibility and 10 representing metaphysical certitude--what is the chance of me knowing who the heck that person is?

/ WRONG! Eleanor-gee-I-think-you're-swelleanor!

I saw him play at the Crossroads festival last summer. Very VERY good guitarist.

I came here to do a McLaughlin Group/SNL quote, but I see that has already been taken care of quite handsomely.

/Patty Patty Buke Buke

...getting a kick out of these replies.

As far as Indian-named song music videos go, nothing beats Apache.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFGzGfym-7Y

Nice find, subby. Thanks. I remember that one.

Let's see that in Guitar Hero 4 on expert.

bravo to smitty. some of us know who that is.

"The Innermounting Flame" ROCKS. He's an awesome electric guitarist, and the Mahavishnu Orchestra is a great combo.
that live 1973 album isn't the greatest, though...dunno why...
oh and his live album from 1976 with Shakti [spelling?] is F***ing awesome. another great combo, this time with John just burning up his acoustic with awesome runs and figures...etc.

Ooh Yeah. I dig that fellah. He can really strum that Guit-Box.
..and because I am a pinhead, I like His electric stuff the best.

Third_Uncle_Eno heh heh. Combo.

I think I have Birds of Fire somewhere.... Interesting guitarist. Overall, he leaves me a little flat though. More a Allan Holdsworth guy for if God could play guitar status. Allan has the speed but sometimes can put some soul into it. John can sometimes.

I hear he did some great acoustic work, more Spanish style.

He plays well with others.

Canadian Canuck: Very VERY good guitarist.

Hey very well may be the best guitarist of the last 50 years. Yeah I know, that sounds crazy but here's my reasoning:

First of all he played with Miles during Mile's most complex and challenging albums, In a Silent Way, biatches Brew, Tribute to Jack Johnson, Big Fun. If you haven't heard those albums you're really missing out, but regardless he's feature prominently on them and most are undisputed masterpieces; not just popular or critically acclaimed but certified musical masterpieces... He helped pioneer his instrument within the context of a totally new groud-breaking genre as part of one of the most influential bands of all time. He then moved on and covered just about every other genre you can think of from prog rock to classical.

I know a lot of people have their favorite guitarists, and he's not even my personal favorite, but I find it hard to dispute that he's the most gifted and influential in the last 50 years. All the Satriani's and Malmsteins of this world would have nothing without John...

McLaughlin is a Guitar "GOD" Not the ONLY one, but one of em nonetheless!

I remember Shakti

ferrigno: I remember Shakti

Oooh - nice!

ferrigno: I remember Shakti

Oh Yeah? Well, I remember Eugene V. Debs

That video left me blank. I love Mahvishnu Orchestra (esp. The Inner Mounting Flame), Shakti, Friday Night in San Fransisco, etc., but this particular performance was just too much masturbation.

I would have rather heard "Hearts and Flowers" or "Peace One" from "My Goals Beyond." That stuff is mind-blowing.

Too bad I can't find any of those videos on Youtube, but you can listen to previews of tracks here:

Link (new window)

It's much more melodic and less squirting.