Search - John McLaughlin :: Floating Point

John phones in his performance

Music maven | Amherst, MA | 02/14/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I suppose it's unfair to constantly expect John McLaughlin to reprise the fire of his first Mahavishnu album, but I do, and he constantly lets me down. I bought this CD because I hoped that the Indian musicians involved would spur him to some of his old youthful passion. Well, the Indian musicians certainly play with verve here, but McLaughlin mostly phones his performance in. His playing feels like he's reading it off a chart--while he's reading the newspaper. And the guitar synthesizer only makes this effect more pronounced. McLaughlin chooses sounds from the synthesizer that are flutelike, but without even the attack of a real flute. Every edge, every trace of timbre is removed, which also removes any edge or rhythmic propulsion from the playing. A guitar is played with steel strings and a plectrum for a reason--its percussiveness gives the music a jump factor--and an electric guitar should sound electric, with the meat and rich timbre of an overdriven speaker. McLaughlin's technique has always been exceptional, but he used to use it to reach as high as he could, pushing the envelope of what was possible. Now, unfortunately, he has perfected his technique, and he uses to pursue perfection. He almost never gives the sense of reaching, or taking chances, or of just getting carried away by the feeling. There are places on this CD where things do heat up, and the band throughout plays with real energy, particularly the drummers. If only McLaughlin played with the fire of his sidemen, we'd have a recording worth reckoning with."