December 27, 2016 Playlist

"Birds of Fire" by Mahavishnu Orchestra (1973)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Mahavishnu Orchestra "Birds Of Fire"  1973 (UK/USA/Czech./Ireland/Panama)
By tradition, I always celebrate "Zappa Day" (December 21) in honor of the birthday of the modern day composer Frank Zappa. This year instead of another FZ LP, our classic album is by a rival band that clearly inspired Zappa's own groups. In the spring of 1973, Mahavishnu Orchestra toured with Zappa's Mothers: a seemingly natural pairing of two groups melding jazz and rock, and both led by a charismatic guru of a guitar wizard. However at the time, Zappa's group featured studio pros like Ralph Humphrey, Sal Marquez, and the Fowler brothers playing "chamber music for college kids" (to paraphrase xylophonist Ruth Underwood). Meanwhile, the original lineup of Mahavishnu was a ferocious beast of highly individualistic musicians who still managed to play with the kind of maniacal focus that Zappa demanded from his own musicians. In particular, the insanely powerful drumming of Billy Cobham inspired FZ to add a third percussionist to his group, the hard hitting prog-funk master Chester Thompson (later the touring drummer in Genesis when Phil Collins became their lead singer). Before long, Zappa reconstructed his Mothers into a similarly disciplined yet highly individualistic ensemble: the 1974 band featuring Napoleon Murphy Brock on sax, flute & vocals with the afforementioned Humphrey, Fowler & Underwood, and keyboard wizard George Duke (whom Zappa had been working with on and off since about 1970). So anyway, Birds Of Fire was the second and final Mahavishnu studio album recorded by the original quintet, and was the album they would have been touring in '73. Along with their debut album, these two records stand alone at the pinnacle of "progressive rock played by jazz musicians."
(N) = New Release
 
Artist Song Album Year Country
Rotary ConnectionSilent Night ChantPeace1968USA
James BrownHey AmericaHey America1970USA
The Guess WhoDon't Act So BadIt's Time1966Canada
The Mothers Of InventionWhy Don'tcha Do Me Right?B-side 7" single (Absolutely Free CD bonus track)1967USA
The NiceThe Thoughts Of Emerlist DavjackThe Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack1967UK
 
 
Sharon Jones & The Dap KingsFunky Drummer BoyIt's A Holiday Soul Party2015USA
James Chance & The Contortions Snap It Back, Strip It Down
The Flesh Is Weak (N)2016 (True Groove)USA
The Mothers Of InventionTiny Sick Tears (live)You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Volume 4rec. 1969, rel. 1991USA
The Mothers Of InventionTrouble Comin' Every DayFreak Out!1966USA
   
 
The GTO's
(produced by Frank Zappa)		Do Me In Once And I'll Be Sad, Do Me In Twice And I'll Know Better (Circular Circulation)Permanent Damage1969USA
Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band
(produced by Frank Zappa)		PenaTrout Mask Replica1969USA
Geronimo Black
(three Zappa band members)		An American National AnthemGeronimo Black1972USA
   
 
Mahavishnu Orchestra Resolution Birds Of Fire
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK 		1973
 UK/USA/Ireland/
Czech./Panama
Mahavishnu OrchestraOne WordBirds Of Fire
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK 		1973
UK/USA/Ireland/
Czech./Panama
Mahavishnu OrchestraCelestial Terrestrial CommutersBirds Of Fire
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK 		1973
UK/USA/Ireland/
Czech./Panama
Miles DavisJohn McLaughlinBitches Brew 1970
USA
Frank ZappaWhile You Were OutShut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar 1981
USA
   
 
Pink Floyd Point Me At The Sky (non-LP single 1968)
The Early Years 1967-1972 Cre/ation (N - 2 CD sampler)2016 (Pink Floyd)UK
Neil Young My New RobotPeace Trail (N)2016 (Reprise)Canada
Thee Oh Sees Unwrap The Fiend, part 2A Weird Exits (N)2016 (Castle Face)USA
David Bowie Ashes To Ashes (radio edit)Legacy (N - greatest hits collection)1980 (2016 ISO/Columbia)UK
PrinceAutomatic19991982USA
   
 
Earth Wind & FireEarth Wind & FireSpirit1976USA
Emerson Lake & PalmerTrilogyTrilogy1972UK
FunkadelicButt-To-Butt ResuscitationTales Of Kidd Funkadelic1976USA
Jefferson AirplaneMartha / Wild TymeAfter Bathing At Baxter's1967USA
 
  
SuicideMr. RaySecond Album1980USA
James BrownThinkA-side 7" single (The Singles Vol. 8 CD)1973USA
The Mothers Of InventionStuff Up The CracksCruising With Ruben & The Jets1968USA
Scott WalkerThe Big HurtScott1967USA/UK
NicoWinter SongChelsea Girl1967Germany
 
  
Matmos section twoUltimate Care II (N)2016 (Thrill Jockey)USA
      
   
   
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