Shakti, Mclaughlin and SRINIVAS

General Music Discussion
#1

I don’t see people talking about McLaughlin in Shakti and Remember Shakti (etc etc) as much as with Mahavishnu but for me it’s my favorite Mclaughlin by a long shot. I also love the Electric Guitarist album.

The real kicker though is Srinivas, an Indian mandolin player who played with Remember Shakti until his untimely death. I think he might be the greatest musician I’ve ever heard. Endlessly inventive at blazing speed. Godlike to me. And an amazing paring with JM.

There’s a million live videos, this one is as good as any:

Check out Srinivas, you won’t regret it.

While I’m at it, this doesn’t have Srinivas but it’s a favorite of mine. You have to watch the whole thing but I queued it up to this part where JM starts ripping it up and the Santur player just looks at him like he’s in love. It’s pretty funny.

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#2

Great post! I too love McLaughlin. I’ve seen him three times, the last time being with Shakti in London in 2023.

Thanks for posting the videos, exquisite stuff! My favourite McLaughlin would have to be with Miles Davis - and my favourite album where McLaughlin himself is leader is Devotion which I understand is a bit of a cult album, but totally seminal - I don’t know any other earlier album which blends rock and modes like the Lydian, which would go on to be done more famously by people like Satriani and Vai. (I still prefer how McLaughlin does it, obvs…) Anyway, it’s an absolutely incredible album.

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