John McLaughlin (Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra)—simply one of the greatest guitar players of all time—is celebrating a glorious farewell to the road. Jimmy Herring (Widespread Panic, Aquarium Rescue...
John McLaughlin (Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra)—simply one of the greatest guitar players of all time—is celebrating a glorious farewell to the road. Jimmy Herring (Widespread Panic, Aquarium Rescue Unit, the Dead, Allman Brothers Band) connects the jazz and jam-band scenes via his supreme devotion to the art of improvisation. The Meeting of the Spirits Tour is perhaps the guitar event of the year as it brings together John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension, Jimmy Herring and the Invisible Whip, plus an encore set featuring an amalgamation of both ensembles. McLaughlin and Herring spoke
about the tour for Guitar Player’s November cover feature. We’ll have free copies onhand December 8th in San Francisco. Below is an abridged excerpt.
The Who announced their farewell tour in 1982, and they’re still touring. Is this really your final tour, John?
McLaughlin: There are elements in life we’re unable to control. You can fight everything except old age. While I have never felt better musically, arthritis is gradually creeping in. Though you can slow it down, there’s no real cure. So this really is goodbye. I won’t stop playing and accepting concerts now and again, but full-on touring requires a certain athleticism, and it brings with it a paramount obligation to be in your best form every night. I’ve never performed in anything less than my best form, and I won’t start doing it at the end.
How are you feeling about the tour, Jimmy?
Herring: It has got me up at night, but in a good way. To play John’s music, though, it’s not all about technique. Those guys have transcended technique. John is way beyond the math and the rhythm. It’s no natural for him, and he doesn’t have to think about all that. It’s