One of the advantages of playing in a club is that even with bass and drums, the atmosphere remains intimate with the audience. John McLaughlin Read Quote
The mathematics of rhythm are universal. They don’t belong to any particular culture. John McLaughlin Read Quote
The first LP, ‘Inner Mounting Flame,’ is, of course, one of my favorites, and also ‘Visions of the Emerald Beyond.’ But the others are also very dear to me. John McLaughlin Read Quote
I was 11 years old, and I had been playing classical piano for three years, and suddenly the guitar came and landed in my arms. I fell in love with that instrument, and I still love it today. I love it so much. John McLaughlin Read Quote
Interplay and interaction are the integral parts of music – they’re as important as the notes. John McLaughlin Read Quote
I already experimented with free jazz in the 1960s and, in my opinion, to play free jazz, you have to be a perfect musician and a perfect human being – and none of us are! John McLaughlin Read Quote
The moment you start to talk about playing music, you destroy music. It cannot be talked about. It can only be played, enjoyed and listened to. John McLaughlin Read Quote
As far as favorite tunes, ‘You Know You Know’ is one, and why it is important is difficult to say. The rhythmic cycle is very interesting and challenging to play, since it can be considered three bars of 4/4 or four bars of 3/4. ‘The Dance of Maya’ is another, and I have to mention ‘Sanctuary.’ John McLaughlin Read Quote
At the risk of sounding hopelessly romantic, love is the key element. I really love to play with different musicians who come from different cultural backgrounds. John McLaughlin Read Quote