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Mahavishnu Orchestra
Birds Of Fire (1973)

1. Birds Of Fire (5:41)
2. Miles Beyond (Miles Davis) (4:39)
3. Celestial Terrestrial Commuters (2:53)
4. Sapphire Bullets Of Pure Love (0:22)
5. Thousand Island Park (3:19)
6. Hope (1:55)
7. One Word (9:54)
8. Sanctuary (5:01)
9. Open Country Joy (3:52)
10. Resolution (2:08)

The Mahavishnu Orchestra's second album sees a band which is essentially unchanged from before. The only real change from the first album is Jan Hammer's move from only playing piano to a number of keys including moog. The general modus operandi is the same, though; in fact, the make-up of the title track which opens the album is much like that of The Inner Mounting Flame's opener ("Meeting of the Spirits").

Other neat things would have to include the trading off of the melody line between guitar and violin on "Celestial Terrestrial Commuters", and the dire progression on "Resolution", which is a nice switch from the band's usual "happier" sound, as well. I have to say I could do without the drum solo in "One Word", though. On top of my fairly consistent lack of interest in drum solos, the fact that this one takes place on a studio album and with fairly mediocre sound quality doesn't help.

course, what fusion fan wouldn't already own this?

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External Links

Pedro's BTMusic Tracker