Sri Chinmoy Remembered: Mahavishnu John McLaughlin and Devadip Carlos Santana

Two legendary guitarists recall their time with Sri Chinmoy, in far-ranging interviews with producer Narada Michael Walden. PLUS: Bonus concert footage from 1975.

As part of his sensational All In podcast series, superstar producer Narada Michael Walden interviews Mahavishnu John McLaughlin and Devadip Carlos Santana. All three got their distinctive names (signifying spiritual qualities) from Guru Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007). In honour of the latter’s 91st birthday, and with joy and good humour, I present these fascinating glimpses into the lives of seeker-musicians. In his 1968 autobiography Vibrations, composer-musician David Amram explained:

A few days later Thelonius Monk trudged up the six flights of stairs in my building and we spent the whole day jamming, talking, eating and generally hanging out. Musicians that hang out simply stay together, talk, share ideas and listen to records. Instead of having a jam session, they have a kind of verbal, psychic, spiritual, telepathic session.

It was this kind of psychic rapport which led a group of like-minded musicians to slowly gravitate toward the teachings of Sri Chinmoy in the early 1970s.

The spiritual insights thus gained helped fuel a new style of music known as fusion or jazz-rock which blended high energy, electric instruments, and devotional themes.

Mahavishnu and Devadip each had their own bands, but collaborated on projects like the 1972 Love Devotion Surrender album, which remains a defining classic in the genre. It pays tribute to John Coltrane (who helped inspire Mahavishnu’s own spiritual search) with cover versions of “A Love Supreme” and “Naima,” as well as original tunes (and one traditional) serving as vehicles for Mahavishnu and Devadip to jam out and trade sizzling solos.

Narada Michael Walden, who began his musical career as a drummer, was with the Mahavishnu Orchestra for the 1975 album Visions of the Emerald Beyond, which was arguably their best, combining elements of fire, devotion, brilliant arranging, and community involvement. Also in 1975, Mahavishnu and Devadip performed on a float traveling up New York’s Madison Avenue, culminating in a free concert at the Central Park Bandshell:

The occasion marked Sri Chinmoy’s completion of 10,000 paintings in his Jharna-Kala series (Fountain Art). Look carefully and at 2:45 you’ll see Narada marching in the parade, and at 6:10 in Central Park. A perfect segue into his recent interview with Mahavishnu. This is no dry Larry King style venture, but an intercontinental hangout session — a virtual romp exploring topics from jazz history to spiritual influences, all with an improvisatory air:

Devadip Carlos Santana also shares some beautiful memories, including the story of why Narada Michael Walden is like a fire hydrant! (according to Sri Chinmoy). Devadip explains why spirituality is more important than ever at a time when “a lot of people are hitting the brick wall.” His personal philosophy is not exactly that of a renunciate, but evokes a celebration of life, a plaque-free existence, and constant re-invention as a source of inspiration (or, alternatively: drummers):

As a humble student of the arts, I know not to take musicians and painters too literally when they talk philosophy. I know they’re not elucidating scientific treatises, but rather creating musical lines in speech, or playing with form and colour. The result need not make literal sense to be illumining and inspiring.* And speaking of painters, this video featuring abstract expressionist Paul Jenkins (1923-2012) is a rare glimpse into Sri Chinmoy Centre in the 1970s, including bits of music by Mahavishnu and Devadip:

How shall we go out? Singing, of course! with “The Quarantine Blues,” a virtual jam:

As the musicians mention at the end, this is a benefit piece for the Musicares Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Michael Howard

The views expressed are my own, and do not represent any other person or organization.

*I’m still trying to rise to the Santana Challenge of transmogrifying all the molecules in my body 7 times in 30 seconds. This man is a virtuoso storyteller whose oral history of the Great Guitarists of Decades Past is richly embroidered with myths and legends. Not knowing where the legend ends and reality begins is all part of the mystique. But his core message to have courage and bring out the divinity within is sure to inspire a new generation of players.

Of Further Interest

Sri Chinmoy Birthday Music Mix, August 2019
Art and Hermeneutics Part 2
Sumangali Morhall: Auspicious Good Fortune (audiobook)

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