Visions of the Emerald Beyond explained

Visions of The Emerald Beyond
Type:	studio
Artist:	Mahavishnu Orchestra
Cover:	QZGSSzei mahavishnu.jpg
Recorded:	December 1974
Studio:	Electric Lady Studios, New York City; mixed at Trident Studios, London^[1]
Genre:	Jazz fusion
Length:	40:23
Label:	Columbia
Producer:	Ken Scott, Mahavishnu John McLaughlin
Prev Title:	Apocalypse
Prev Year:	1974
Next Title:	Inner Worlds
Next Year:	1976

Visions of the Emerald Beyond is the fifth album by the jazz fusion group Mahavishnu Orchestra, and the second released by its second incarnation.

According to the liner notes, the album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City from December 4 until December 14, 1974. It was then mixed at Trident Studios in London from December 16 until December 24, 1974.

Poem

This poem by Sri Chinmoy, titled "Visions of the Emerald Beyond", was printed on the album cover.^[2]

"No more am I the foolish customerof a dry, sterile, intellectual breeze.I shall buy onlythe weaving visions of the emerald Beyond.My heart-tapestryshall capture the Himalayan Smilesof my Pilot Supreme.In the burial of my sunken mindis the revival of my climbing heart.In the burial of my deceased mindis the festival of my all-embracing life."

Track listing

All songs by John McLaughlin except where indicated.

Personnel

Mahavishnu Orchestra

• John McLaughlin – guitars, vocals
• Jean-Luc Ponty – violin, vocals, electric violin, baritone violin
• Ralphe Armstrong – bass guitar, vocals, contrabass
• Narada Michael Walden – percussion, drums, vocals, clavinet
• Gayle Moran – keyboards, vocals

Others

• Carol Shive – 2nd violin, vocals
• Russell Tubbs – alto and soprano sax
• Philip Hirschi – cello
• Bob Knapp – flute, trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals, wind
• Steve Kindler – 1st violin

Notes and References

1. Web site: Mahavishnu Orchestra – Visions of the Emerald Beyond (1975, Pitman Pressing, Gatefold, Vinyl). Discogs. 1975 .
2. Web site: 22. Visions of the emerald Beyond.
3. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6.