Five years after his previous Paris-area appearance, John McLaughlin returns to the stage with his 4th Dimension band. Now in his eighty-first year and playing his first concert in several years after the pandemic brought much of the live music world to a standstill, the guitarist could easily be forgiven for easing into retirement. Instead, he arrives at La Seine Musicale with the same restless musical curiosity and astonishing technical command that have defined his career for more than half a century.
The timing is particularly interesting. His latest album, Liberation Time, was largely assembled remotely during the pandemic, with musicians contributing from different parts of the world. Live performance, however, remains the natural habitat for this music, and from the opening moments it is clear that neither McLaughlin nor his band has lost any momentum during the enforced hiatus.
The setting helps.
La Seine Musicale's warm, detailed acoustics are ideally suited to this kind of performance, allowing every nuance to emerge with remarkable clarity. The sound is immaculate throughout the evening, giving equal weight to the subtle interplay between the musicians and the more explosive moments of virtuosity.
And there is plenty of virtuosity.
McLaughlin's playing remains almost unbelievable. Many guitarists begin simplifying their approach as they age. McLaughlin appears to have missed that memo entirely. His lines still arrive in dazzling bursts, tumbling across the fretboard with breathtaking speed and precision. Yet what remains most impressive is not the velocity itself but the musicality behind it. The technical fireworks never feel detached from the emotional content of the music. Every phrase serves a purpose beyond merely demonstrating what is physically possible on the instrument.
His bandmates are equally formidable, navigating the demanding material with ease while maintaining the flexibility and responsiveness that great jazz requires. The interplay between the musicians is constant, each performance feeling less like a series of individual showcases than an ongoing conversation among masters of their craft.
That sense of communication ultimately defines the evening. For all the complexity of the music, there is nothing cold or academic about it. The sophistication of the compositions never comes at the expense of feeling. McLaughlin's music has always balanced intellect and emotion, and that equilibrium remains intact.
As the concert draws to a close, the mutual admiration between performers and audience becomes increasingly apparent. The musicians clearly relish being back on stage, while the audience responds with the kind of gratitude reserved for artists whose presence can no longer be taken for granted.
When the final notes fade and the crowd disperses into the rainy night, there is a palpable sense that everyone involved understands the value of evenings like this. At eighty-one, John McLaughlin continues to perform at a level that would be remarkable for a musician half his age. More importantly, he continues to play with the curiosity, passion and sense of adventure that made him one of the defining figures of modern guitar in the first place.
You may also enjoy the following sponsored items:
Scan the QR code below to subscribe to Apple TV:
