Quotes from John McLaughlin

I don't have any particular goals in making a recording. In a way the recording is itself the goal. The music comes into my mind, and from there the main job is to give form to it.

When the music arrives in my mind, it gives me the direction and the form at the same time. It's integrated into the music itself.

One of the advantages of playing in a club is that even with bass and drums, the atmosphere remains intimate with the audience.

In my opinion, there is one singular problem with religions in general: they are exclusive. To me, this exclusivity is not right.

I discovered flamenco when I was 14, before I even got involved with jazz music. I was so crazy about flamenco music. I wanted to be a flamenco guitar player.

The day I stop making music would be the day I keel over, really.

Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.

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.

Miles Davis himself, I discovered him when I was 15, and he rocked my world.

I've been studying the cultures of Asia for many years, and I'm very attracted to the culture of Japan, in particular to the impact Zen has had on the Japanese mind and spirit.

I have a profound affection for Buddhism, and Zen Buddhism's particular ways of meditating.

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.'

I find Indian music very funky. I mean it's very soulful, with their own kind of blues. But it's the only other school on the planet that develops improvisation to the high degree that you find in jazz music. So we have a lot of common ground.

When Mahavishnu came out in '71, the unbelievable reaction to the band was a real shock to me. It was a shock to everybody.

I have a great affection for Indian culture and music.

The Mahavishnu Orchestra - when it came out, it was an explosion, completely unexpected as far as I was concerned. I was just forming a band.

The mathematics of rhythm are universal. They don't belong to any particular culture.

The Beatles, they brought a whole new dimension to pop music. Of course, the psychedelic period is much more interesting to me, starting with 'Rubber Soul' and on to the 'White Album.' Great, great records. I was such a Beatles fan. I was very sad when they broke up.

Every day, I discover something utterly unbelievable when I play.