DEVOTION
John McLaughlin
•Jazz Rock/Fusion
From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website
![]() Excellent addition to any Write a review |
Studio Album, released in 1970 Songs / Tracks Listing
John McLaughlin - guitar
Recorded at Record Plant Studios, New York City, February 1970. and to NotAProghead for the last updates Edit this entry |
Buy JOHN MCLAUGHLIN Devotion Music
![]() | Devotion Indie Europe/Zoom 2007 | $6.99 $10.99 (used) |
![]() | Devotion Remastered Varese Sarabande 2001 | $11.98 (used) |
![]() | John Mclaughlin: Devotion Douglas Records | $7.49 (used) |
![]() | Devotion by JOHN MCLAUGHLIN (1998-12-02) Mpg [Movieplay Gold] | $53.02 |
![]() | Devotion Reissued Movieplay Gold 2011 | $29.98 (used) |

More places to buy JOHN MCLAUGHLIN music online
- DOUG LARSON IMPORTS — Buy prog rock music and rarities (Free shipping on orders over 10 cds)
- AmazonMP3: Search for JOHN MCLAUGHLIN DRM-Free MP3 Downloads @ Amazon.com MP3
- Try Amazon Prime Music (30-day free trial)
JOHN MCLAUGHLIN Devotion ratings distribution
(56 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(20%)
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(46%)
Good, but non-essential (30%)
Collectors/fans only (4%)
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
JOHN MCLAUGHLIN Devotion reviews
Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings
Collaborators/Experts Reviews
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog Folk

And believe me, when I say scorcher (but not flawless), this is a real one keeping in mind that we are in the jazz-rock mould, but sometimes it sounds like jazz-metal. John has assembled a stellar cast around him including Buddy Miles (Santana, Hendrix etc.), Larry Young (the great organist in Tony Williams' Lifetime, whom he hooked up with after his two album stint with them) and lesser-known Billy Rich. Jerry Goodman (ex-The Flock and future-MO) is also helping out after the previous My Goal's Beyond. But these guys rock your brains out even if there are some lengths. This album comes also after the two albums he'd done with Miles Davis (Bitches Brew and Tribute To JJ). However at the speed these guys were recording albums (three solo for McLaughlin this year, plus his other projects), there are some misses and the messy (shoddily recorded) Siren is just one example. A torrid piece, but wasted by inappropriate recording.
Tracks like the 11-min+ title track are awesome in its power and tension and not a second is wasted. Clearly on all tracks, virtuosity is the key word, but no one commits the blunder of indulgence either and the whole group maintains a much-needed tightness when this type of music is recorded. If Dragon Song is yet another hard-driving guitar track, the following Marbles is a more reflective one where Young's organs plat first role with McLaughlin's lightning fast guitars having trouble to surface, but the interplay between the two is awesome. The rest of the tracks are still of the same calibre of the first few on the first side of the vinyl.
I have heard some purists dismiss this album as a collection of jams (some of the song's abrupt ends and sudden shifts give this theory some credibility), and if such was the case, these guys were among the bests ever. McLaughlin's next step was to form the superb and famed Mahavishnu Orchestra, which would keep him occupied for a while. But while this album is miles away from MO, it is no less essential for McLaughlin fans.
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

The big difference is the rhythm section, instead of the usual hyper players you would expect from a McLaughlin record you get the hard-rockin laid back groove of Buddy Miles and Billy Cox. I have heard that this was supposed to be a Hendrix session, but since he passed away the date was filled by McLaughlin. That would explain the presence of Cox and Miles, as well as Larry Young. Young had worked with McLaughlin before in several bands, but had just started working on some jams with Jimi in his last months.
Larry Young brings a lot to this project. Although he is capable of searing jazz runs, he adjusts his playing on this record to rich psychedelic bluesy chord clusters and shifting tone bar effects. He makes the perfect accompanimist and solo reply to McLaughlin throughout the record. The producers also add a lot of phase shifting and echo to the mix that gives the whole album a distictive early 70s sound.
Although a lot of the grooves are laid back, McLaughlin's playing really burns as usual, only this time his solos have more room to breathe. Another interesting thing about this album is that some of the melodies used here show up on later Mahavishnu records.
PROG REVIEWER

"Devotion" is my favourite track. How amazing is this tune ? A nice heavy intro as the organ joins in. McLaughlin is putting on a light show here. It settles some after 5 minutes.The organ becomes the focus before 7 minutes until the guitar returns after 9 minutes. "Dragon Song" has an uptempo beat as the organ pulses and the guitar makes some noise. McLaughlin soon becomes the focus as he rips it up early and often. What an instrumental display here ! So impressive.
"Marbles" opens with some atmosphere until the song kicks in with drums leading the way before a minute. Guitar then organ join the driving the beat. Check out McLaughlin ! Scorching guitar 3 1/2 minutes in. "Siren" is bluesy with the organ out front early. This changes around the 2 minute mark as we get a full sound with guitar out in front. "Don't Let The Dragon Eat Your Mother" is led by the organ then the guitar takes over as drums pound. A calm 3 minutes in as the organ floats to the end. "Purpose Of When" opens with bluesy guitar then he just starts to solo laying a trail of fire until the song is over. Not worthy !
A must for McLaughlin fans out there.
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

Buddy Miles, former Hendrix Band of Gypsy's drummer, add much to common sound. The music there is heavy and psychedelic jazz-rock, with fast, energetic and very "rock" sound of McLaughlin guitar. Long jam-like solos are perfectly supported by drums and keyboards.
Soft and jazzy McLaughlin guitar technique is easy recognizable, but in all other this album could be just another Hendrix work. One of classic McLaughlin's album, must have for every this great guitarist's fan.
Latest members reviews
A controversial early work released on Douglas Records that left McLaughlin bitterly
disappointed, due to the poorly done mixing and finish. Contrary to his repeated requests and
pleas, the producer, Alan Douglas (Rubinstein), has flatly refused any chance for a re-mix, so
we ended up with som
... (read more)
Report this review (#1380139) | Posted by Anon-E-Mouse | Tuesday, March 10, 2015 | Review Permanlink
This work goes beyond jazz-rock, evolving into something spiritual, which tend to have the emphasis
of wilderness. It's the devotion for spirit, soul and the prayer for life. The rhythms are joyful
enough for making the album no hard to understand.
The sincerity of instruments begin with Marbles
... (read more)
Report this review (#187440) | Posted by Warhol | Thursday, October 30, 2008 | Review Permanlink
Predating his participation on the stellar Tony Williams`Lifetime McLaughlin applies
his apprenticeships with various artists during the `60s to practical use on this
unusual early electric exploration.
The tripped out tracks heard here are nothing like McLaughlin did before or after and
can
... (read more)
Report this review (#100112) | Posted by Vibrationbaby | Thursday, November 23, 2006 | Review Permanlink
Post a review of JOHN MCLAUGHLIN "Devotion"
You must be a forum member to post a review, please register here if you are not.
MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE
As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.
You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).