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TRIO OF DOOM (WITH JACO PASTORIUS AND TONY WILLIAMS)

John McLaughlin

Jazz Rock/Fusion


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John McLaughlin Trio of Doom (with Jaco Pastorius and Tony Williams) album cover
3.53 | 19 ratings | 5 reviews | 16% 5 stars

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Boxset/Compilation, released in 2007

Songs / Tracks Listing

Drum Improvisation (Live) 2:46
Dark Prince (Live) 6:36
Continuum (Live) 5:11
Para Oriente (Live) 5:42
Are You The One, Are You The One? (Live) 4:51
Dark Prince (Studio) 4:11
Continuum (Studio) 3:49
Para Oriente (Alternate Take One/Studio) 1:05
Para Oriente (Alternate Take Two/Studio) 0:20
Para Oriente (Studio) 5:28

Total Time: 39 minutes


Line-up / Musicians

- John McLaughlin / guitar
- Jaco Pastorius / bass guitar
- Tony Williams / drums


Releases information

Released Jun 26, 2007 by Columbia/ Legacy 82796 96450 2 (US/Europe)
© 2007 Sony BMG Music Entertainment
℗ 1979, 2007 Song BMG Music Entertainment

Tracks 1-5 recorded March 3, 1979 at the Karl Marx Theater, Havana Cuba.
All tracks previously unreleased.

Tracks 6-10 recorded March 8, 1979 at CBS Studios, New York.

Thanks to Guest for the addition
and to snobb for the last updates
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Buy JOHN MCLAUGHLIN Trio of Doom (with Jaco Pastorius and Tony Williams) Music



JOHN MCLAUGHLIN Trio of Doom (with Jaco Pastorius and Tony Williams) ratings distribution


3.53
(19 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(16%)
16%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(37%)
37%
Good, but non-essential (42%)
42%
Collectors/fans only (5%)
5%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN Trio of Doom (with Jaco Pastorius and Tony Williams) reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by chopper
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars This is the "legendary" Trio Of Doom" who got together for the Havana Jam in 1979 and features three giants from the world of jazz fusion - John McLaughlin, Jaco Pastorius and Tony Williams. I've read that McLaughlin wanted this to be released "over my dead body" as he believed Pastorius wasn't in the right frame of mind at the time however there doesn't seem to be much wrong with his playing here. The energy displayed by the three is quite astonishing and, as you would expect, there is a large amount of soloing going on here. Although you occasionally get the feeling that they're just showing off, it's undeniably exciting stuff.

There are 5 live tracks from the Havana concert included here and studio versions of three of the tracks (although one of the three versions of "Papa Oriente" contains a mere 7 seconds of music).

If you're a fan of fusion and want to hear 3 outstanding musicians at the top of their game then you can't really go wrong here (especially considering the very reasonable price it's available for). It's nicely packaged and the sound is clear (apart from the live cymbals which apparently weren't miked up during the gig and sound a little artificial). A must-have for fusion fans.

Review by snobb
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Extremely interesting recordings for every McLaughlin (or Jaco) fan. Recorded live during concert in Havana,Cuba in 1979, its were released in 2007 only. When you'll start listening, you will easily understand why.

Three great fusion musicians -John McLaughlin, Jaco Pastorius and Tony Williams play life set! Such an attractive release! The problem is there are not enough recorded materials for quality release, so this album is more kind of compilation (only first 5 compositions are recorded life in Havana, five others are studio recordings and their out-takes).

Another negative result of such luck of material is that there is added everything, what had even small chance to be counted as musical recording. Big part of live recordings sound as rehearsal, even mistakes when played were added on CD!.

Sound quality is a bit unusual - not bad, without over-loops and studio tricks, clear and very natural, but sound mix is extremely dis-balanced. Drums attacks sound as explosions over the whole sound, John's guitar is somewhere on the back and sounds really shy! Bass is rich, but not deep.

Third problem is if even named as band (" Trio Of Doom"), musicians stayed just three extra level professionals, everyone playing his own music. And it feels!

In all, this release is real mixed bag! Some excellent moments presented here and there, and in few places Trio even sounds as real band, showing what a potential they could have playing together. But as album, it sounds more as collection of rough material and out-takes from the vaults (and it's true!).

Very interesting release for real fan of anyone of three artists, for casual listener possibly should be better avoided.

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars For a lot of Jazz Rock / Fusion fans out there this is a dream trio if there ever was one. John McLaughlin on guitar, Tony Williams on drums and Jaco Pastorius on bass. Sadly 2 of the 3 are no longer with us. Jaco came up with the name TRIO OF DOOM for the band. This really was a one-off performance as they were invited along with many CBS recording artists (including WEATHER REPORT who Jaco was playing with at the time) to Cuba for a cultural exchange of music in 1979. It became known as "The Bay Of Gigs" to the artists. This was a 3 night affair in Havana, Cuba sponsored by the U.S. State Department. It was the first time in two decades that Cubans and Americans shared the same stage. TRIO OF DOOM had 25 minutes to do their thing. Five days after their performance they re-recorded three of the tracks at Columbia Studios in New York bringing the combined studio and live songs up to 39 minutes and enough to release on an album.

We get the live show first opening with a drum solo from Tony called "Drum Improvisation". It blends into McLaughlins "Dark Prince" the most energetic track on here. The problem with this one is knowing who to focus on. This is lights out good as all three guys let their hair down. Beyond amazing ! "Continuum" is Jaco's composition and it's a beautiful laid back track but there is this underlying power that never raises it's head but you know it's there. The band is introduced to the audience after this song. "Para Oriente" is a Williams composed track and is quite powerful at times. McLaughlin lays down some fire later then a calm ends it. "Are You The One, Are You The One ?" is the final live track and a McLaughlin song. John recorded this with Jack Bruce and Tony Williams on his solo record called "Electric Guitarist". Killer drumming to open then they get into this groove a minute in. This is a monster. Check out the bass after 3 minutes. A big roar from the crowd when they finish. The studio tracks are "Dark Prince" , "Continuum" and "Para Oriente" and while they are more polished they do standup well to the fiery energy of their live counterparts.

For me this is a no-brainer at 4 stars. I have the remastered version and there's a blurb from John about the experience of working with these two legends among other things.

Latest members reviews

4 stars Historically an important fusion record of superminds behind fusion. They never played together in that format. All three players are totally geared up to tear their instruments showing immense talent, dexterity and experience. Do not expect advanced compositions, this is first and foremost a jamm ... (read more)

Report this review (#2342766) | Posted by sgtpepper | Saturday, March 14, 2020 | Review Permanlink

2 stars For fanatics of 70s fusion a cover and liner notes seem would seem almost superfluous for this one. The distinct musical voices of John Mclaughlin, Jaco Pastorious and Tony Williams are more than eveident here on one of the most interesting jazz releases of 2007 even if they aren`t playing in the s ... (read more)

Report this review (#152804) | Posted by Vibrationbaby | Monday, November 26, 2007 | Review Permanlink

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