Although, like many folks , I first became aware of Santana from their stirring performance of their debut-album closer "Soul Sacrifice" at Woodstock, (a movie, BTW, I sat through twice in the movie theater)
(note: brief nudity)
it was the second album, Abraxas that really sold me on the group.
1. Singing Winds, Crying Beasts
2. Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
3. Oye Como Va
4. Incident At Neshabur
5. Se A Cabo
6. Mother's Daughter
7. Samba Pa Ti
8. Hope You're Feeling Better
9. El Nicoya
I've picked up about a dozen albums by Santana, including Santana III, Caravanserai and Love Devotion Surrender in the 1970s, Zebop! and Havana Moon in the 1980s, and a couple during his commercial resurgence. But none have brought me the unbridled joy of this album.
A couple notes: there are several Santana greatest hits compilations. Do NOT get the 1974 Greatest Hits album, which contains Black Magic Woman WITHOUT the segued Gypsy Queen. It's like playing the Beatles' Abbey Road and stopping before "The End".
While I don't love the more recent music as I did the earlier stuff, I get the feeling that Carlos Santana, the man, is not only a talented musician but a really decent man, as this interview suggests.
If you happen to be in Austin, TX, tonight, there's a tribute concert to note Carlos Santana's 60th birthday.
ROG
3 comments:
I first came to Santana via 1972's Caravanserai, his attempt to process all the Miles and Coltrane that he'd been listening to, and it remains my favorite to this day. Just a lot of stellar playing and melodies. #2 on my list, though, is Abraxas- that's one solid rock/salsa/funk record, not a bad track on it.
This was my first Santana album which I purchased after you, Roger, told me that I should. I quickly purchased his debut and "Santana III" soon after. Great stuff!
You should check out Moonflower...his favorite album.
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