It's not unusual, my sense is that passing through SAIS was a kind of laundering experience for him. These Russian illegals tend to go through a long process of credentialing These Russian illegals in order to establish credibility as who These Russian illegals claim to be.

John McLaughlin

When Indian musicians play a raga it's very restrictive. But, in a way these restraints are essential to liberate yourself through them, if that makes sense. I'm very much of this school of rhythm, it's the direction I'm drawn in when I'm writing and improvising.

John McLaughlin

play writing school

I think I'm built like a painter. I have friends who are painters and they reflect a similar psychological attitude towards their work. They don't know what's coming next, they just wait for the message, for orders to come and then off they go on their next project.

John McLaughlin

attitude order thinking

In a way records are like paintings. Instead of using paints and brushes we use sounds and instruments.

John McLaughlin

use sound way

Everyone can lock into the rhythm on a tune. It's organic in nature. It connects the band as a whole and connects the band to the audience.

John McLaughlin

locks band tunes

In a certain sense, these were lessons I learned by playing with Indian musicians. The rhythmic forms that they use are very complex, and very challenging. In order to play in fifteen, or eleven, or seven or even five, you have to have mastered that time in order to be able to be free with the music.

John McLaughlin

challenges play order

There is really no spiritual message that I'm trying to convey with my music, it's just a personal thing. I really believe that the more personal we get, in a way, the more universal the implications.

John McLaughlin

spiritual trying believe

At the risk of sounding hopelessly romantic, love is the key element. I really love to play with different musicians who come from different cultural backgrounds.

John McLaughlin

keys love-is romantic

Interplay and interaction are the integral parts of music - they're as important as the notes.

John McLaughlin

notes musician important

The moment you start to talk about playing music, you destroy music. It cannot be talked about. It can only be played, enjoyed and listened to.

John McLaughlin

playing-music enjoyed moments

When I hear a great musician, I can feel his life inside the music.

John McLaughlin

musician inspiring funny

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

John McLaughlin

rhythm mathematics culture

I never read comics growing up. I didn't have money and I don't like to touch paper.

John McLaughlin

growing growing-up paper

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.

John McLaughlin

form mind giving

I was dealing with a lot of spiritual questions like "Who am I?" "What is God" "What is the meaning of life?" All of these questions that I think we can either face head on or choose to ignore, it's up to us.

John McLaughlin

meaning-of-life spiritual thinking

I just want to keep exploring music and hopefully the orders will keep coming in and I'll be able to keep growing the interior and exterior sides of my life.

John McLaughlin

growing want order

The biggest government waste: The death penalty. An individual death-penalty case could climb to $100 million, much of it spent at the litigation level. Also, DNA evidence has exonerated nearly 300 death-row inmates.

John McLaughlin

levels dna government

I have a great affection for Indian culture and music.

John McLaughlin

great affection music culture

When I was five, I heard the end of Beethoven's 'Ninth Symphony' with my mother, and I got goosebumps all over my body.

John McLaughlin

over end body mother

The guitar l learned on was probably worth $4 or something, but it was priceless to me. It meant so much.

John McLaughlin

worth something me guitar

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.

John McLaughlin

me sad music soul