| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [2] |
| Christgau’s Record Guide | B−[3] |
| The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide |  [4] |
Inner Worlds is an album by the Mahavishnu Orchestra. It was the group’s sixth album release, as well as their last for nearly ten years.
In 1975, violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and keyboardist Gayle Moran left the band. Stu Goldberg was brought in as a replacement for Moran. Although they were not officially recorded, initially this version of the group still retained Norma Jean Bell, Carol Shive, Phillip Hirschi, Russell Tubbs and Steve Kindler. After some hasty rehearsals, this line-up toured with Jeff Beck. After the tour, McLaughlin pared the band down to a quartet of himself, Goldberg, Walden and Armstrong, and then the album was recorded.[5]
This would be the last album by the Mahavishnu Orchestra for nearly ten years, when leader and guitarist John McLaughlin formed an entirely different version of the group in 1984.
Track listing and personnel
| No. | Title | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “All in the Family” | John McLaughlin | 6:02 |
| 2. | “Miles Out” | McLaughlin | 6:44 |
| 3. | “In My Life” | Narada Michael Walden, McLaughlin | 3:22 |
| 4. | “Gita” | McLaughlin | 4:29 |
| 5. | “Morning Calls” | McLaughlin, Walden | 1:23 |
| No. | Title | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | “The Way of the Pilgrim” | Walden | 5:15 |
| 7. | “River of My Heart” | Walden | 3:41 |
| 8. | “Planetary Citizen” | Ralphe Armstrong | 2:14 |
| 9. | “Lotus Feet” | McLaughlin | 4:24 |
| 10. | “Inner Worlds” | McLaughlin (part 1), Goldberg (part 2) | 6:37 |
Personnel
- John McLaughlin – Guitar, Guitar synthesizer, 12-string, acoustic guitar, backing vocals, synthesizer
- Stu Goldberg – organ, piano, synthesizers, backing vocals, clavinet
- Ralphe Armstrong – bass, double bass, vocals
- Narada Michael Walden – drums, percussion, marimba, piano, vocals, organ, timpani,
Charts
| Chart (1976) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[6] | 118 |
| US Top Jazz Albums (Billboard)[7] | 24 |
References
- ^ Walter Kalosky. “Mahavishnu Orchestra: The Way of the Pilgrim”. jazz.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
- ^ Inner Worlds at AllMusic
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). “Consumer Guide ’70s: M”. Christgau’s Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 2, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 135. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
- ^ “Goldberg interview”. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
- ^ “Mahavishnu Orchestra John McLaughlin Chart History (Billboard 200)“. Billboard. Retrieved October June 15, 2024.
- ^ “Mahavishnu Orchestra John McLaughlin Chart History (Top Jazz Albums)“. Billboard. Retrieved October June 15, 2024.
