Passion Has Nothing To Do With Volume

Since I bought the Ovation I have been listening to McLaughlins album, 'My Goals Beyond' again. (June 1970)
Three of the songs on the albums are standards with the rest being originals by John. The entire album is acoustic...Id Est - not an electric instrument for miles...

As a young man, passion often equated with volume. The war in Vietnam was something we shouted about.
Rebellion is usually felt most deeply when exercised at the top of ones lungs. Or at least that is the perception of youth. Hopefully, we learn as we get older to remain passionate and not have to flatten our diaphragms to do so.

But strangely enough, when I discovered the album as a lad of sixteen in 1972 I was immediately taken by the passion exhibited by McLaughlin. I was blown away. Never had I encountered an acoustic guitar being played with such ferocity. I easily imagined smoke rising from McLaughlins fingertips as he played.

The original tunes are very heavily influenced by Indian music. This was during McLaughlins very spiritual phase - he was given the name, Mahavishnu by his guru, Sri Chinmoy which led to a band known as The Mahavishnu Orchestra. My interest in the spiritual aspect lasted maybe a week, perhaps less.

Other reviewers have noted that they don't consider the technical expertise to be on par with later works.
I would strongly disagree.
While everyone tends to improve the longer they play, John's technique at this point was superb. In fact on the following album, 'The Inner Mounting Flame,' his fingering style, proficiency with arpeggios, desire to explore, decreased. It was an album of emotional release with much less regard for proper technique. It was an album to be felt.

The opening piece on 'My Goals Beyond is called 'Peace One' & it begins with a loping bass line and seething drone. The atmosphere for the rest of the album is set.

And then McLaughlin begins to pick. I can well imagine he was channeling Yehudi Menuhin while he played.
The back and forth between himself and the violinist, Jerry Goodman , the flow he achieves is just flat out amazing. The notes tumble forth in staccato rips or in smooth waterfalls. Sheets, cascades of music.
All of it says to me - passion. And this is just the first tune. Whew...

It was then that I learned that passion has little to do with volume. No longer was there a need to shout. The blood could be made to boil with quiet zeal. I think this album contributed to my musical growth in no mean way. It was an album of passage.

Now, if only I could still sit on the floor, cross-legged and play.

Track listing: GoodBye Pork-Pie Hat; Something Spiritual; Hearts and Flowers; Phillip Lane; Waltz for Bill Evans; Follow Your Heart; Song For My Mother; Blue in Green; Peace One; Peace Two

Personnel: John McLaughlin- guitar; Billy Cobham- drums; Jerry Goodman- violin; Charlie Haden- bass; Dave Liebman- sax; Airto Moreira- percussion; Badal Roy- tabla; Mahalakshmi- drone box