is this the best guitar ever

I recently found a near mint LP of this in a thrift. A very fine performance indeed. I am envious of the folks that got to see them in person.

I saw this group twice in the early/mid 80s. The first was an amazing display of guitar pyrotechnics that was strangely uninvolving. The second time John McLaughlin was replaced by Steve Morse of Dixie Dregs fame. He was clearly the technical equal of his compatriots but he communicated such joy in his playing that he made the others appear like cardboard cutouts (albeit ones that could play at the speed of light). That was one my first lessons on the distinction between mere technical mastery and complete musicianship.

Siliab
I was not moved by the SACD and gave it to a friend.

I love that recording and saw them live in the mid 90's in Santiago, Chile.