Devotion is the second album by the English jazz fusion guitarist John McLaughlin, released in 1970. It was recorded while McLaughlin was a member of the Tony Williams Lifetime, and features his Lifetime bandmate Larry Young (organ) alongside Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys drummer Buddy Miles and Taj Mahal bassist Billy Rich. McLaughlin was unhappy with the final production job by Alan Douglas.
Recording According to The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide, the album is "as close" as McLaughlin ever came to "straight rock playing." On his website, McLaughlin wrote, “In 1969, I signed a contract in America for two records. First is 'Devotion' that is destroyed by producer Alan Douglas who mixes the recording in my absence.”http://www.johnmclaughlin.com/ text on the period of 1968 - 70.
Critical reception
In a contemporary review, Rolling Stone magazine called the album "very fine" and said that McLaughlin "has managed to make an album as Heavy as the most fanatical Led Zeppelin devotee could wish, while maintaining a high musical level". Sean Westergaard of AllMusic called it "arguably one of the finest acid rock albums of all time," and concluded, "Devotion is a complete anomaly in his catalog, as well as one of his finest achievements."
Track listing All songs written by John McLaughlin. Side one "Devotion" – 11:25 "Dragon Song" – 4:13
Side two "Marbles" – 4:05 "Siren" – 5:55 "Don't Let the Dragon Eat Your Mother" – 5:18 "Purpose of When" – 4:45
Personnel John McLaughlin – electric guitar Larry Young – organ, electric piano Billy Rich – bass guitar Buddy Miles – drums, percussion
Charts Chart (1970) Peakposition
References
External links