Latin Album

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Even their harshest critics can't accuse Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops of not trying to have fun. On The Latin Album, they tackle a repertoire that includes big-band favorites and compositions from Piazzolla, Perez Prado, and Aaron Copland (in the form of El Salon México). These are mostly dance tunes, filled with crashing percussion, Latin rhythms, and familiar melodies. To their credit, the Boston Pops get this fiesta right about half the time--opening with Alberto Ginastera's "Malambo," they set a furious, rollicking mood that's heavy on the percussion. They shine on Jacob Gade's "Jalousie" (an early hit for Lockhart predecessor Arthur Fiedler) and on the more atmospheric "Mi Cambio" by César Villalobos. Unfortunately, their arrangement of Piazzolla's "Oblivion" is about as subtle as the music found in soap operas (and about as exciting) and "Perfidia" is a disappointment, "smooth" but hardly sultry. Still, the Pops know how to play their brassy, rhythmic showpieces, and the recorded sound here is excellent. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

(Da Le) Yaleo
Love Of My Life (Featuring Dave Matthews)
Put Your Lights On ( Featuring Everlast)
Africa Bamba
Smooth (Featuring Rob Thomas)
Do You Like The Way (Featuring Lauryn Hill & CEE LO)
Maria Maria (Featuring The Product G&B, Produced by Wyclef)
Migra
Corazon Espinado (Featuring Mana)
Wishing It Was (Featuring Eagle Eye Cherry)
El Farol
Primavera
The Calling (Featuring Eric Clapton)

Amazon.com essential recording

The Arista debut of Carlos Santana and band gives fans of the soulful guitar vet two albums in one, but it's a decidedly good-news, bad-news proposition. First, there's a fine collection of late-'90s-model Santana--tastefully tooled songs driven by Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms ("[Da Le] Taleo," "Africa Bamba," "Migra," "Primavera," and the emotionally charged instrumental "El Farol") that allow Carlos plenty of elbowroom for his passionate soloing. Then there's the collection of tracks featuring a lineup of de rigueur alternative and hip-hop stars, including Dave Matthews, Everlast, Rob Thomas, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Eagle Eye Cherry. To their credit, Matthews ("Love of My Life") and Eagle Eye Cherry ("Wishing It Was") muster enough chemistry to make the fusion work. But the rest of the collaborations feel like an unnecessary stretch to reach out to a younger demographic that El Jefe has little trouble attracting on his own terms. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

No Mas!.......2007-07-14

If I hear another Santana song I will throw myself off a tall bridge. He is the most over-rated artist period.

an intriguing cross-section of musical flavors.............2007-06-08

What do you think of when you hear the name Santana? For me, my thoughts go to "Oye Como Va," "Black Magic Woman," and "Evil Ways." Carlos Santana has always been the epitome of cool, class and mad talent. That hasn't dulled with time, and he definitely hasn't softened with time. Carlos just has a deeper realized sazon (flavor), now. "Well," thought the producers of this album, "what better way to introduce Carlos Santana to the younger generation, than through blending his sound with a bunch of other artists that emerged in the last ten years or so?" Very intriguing idea. Does it work? On some cuts, it succeeds very well! While, on other cuts, the music comes across as [slightly] engineered to appeal, but it doesn't really make the lasting impression I would have loved to feel.

Some of the most well-known songs from this album include "Smooth" with Rob Thomas, "Maria, Maria," with Wyclef Jean, and "Corazon Espinado," with Mana. For me, "Smooth" was great to hear, the first several times on the radio, but I think it was [a bit] played out. Rob Thomas has strong vocals but they don't blend well with Santana. Thomas sounds almost too "trendy," here. The beauty of Santana is that he is timeless and he could appear on any album, from probably any time, and his scorchingly hot guitar licks would still ignite your speakers, and that is probably why this musical coupling didn't work so well. Whereas, "Maria, Maria" succeeds in sounding street and like Santana is channeling the hauntedness of the barrio with Wyclef's tight production (hip hop meets latin soul). Great! "Corazon Espinado" is right on the mark. Mexican rock band Mana sounds wonderful with Santana, and their vocals and back-up compliment him beautifully. If I was really going to analyze every track on this album, it would take all day for you to even get through this review! So, I will stop right now and just say that SUPERNATURAL is [overall] a very compelling project, and when it's good, it's great. If there are some songs you don't like, just skip them, because there really is something here for everyone.

Supernatural is Simply Super.......2007-05-30

As a sixty-something year old musician and guitarist who still gigs, I am truly amused by all those folks who love an artist's work SO much, they think time, and the artist should stand still. I have been a fan of Santana's since he first broke out, and I have every album he's ever made...and listen to them frequently. I also love SUPERNATURAL! I especially love his collabo's with younger artists. He's not so much reaching out to them, as he is bringing them into his world. If you are the kind of listener who wants to know before you open the jewel box what you will hear, Carlos is simply not for you. He has always experimented, and grown. Some of his "experiments" are lifelong companions, others don't work as well as they might. So what? As to all those who have the nerve to call Carlos Santana a sell-out simply because he has been successful, I remind you all, that this master is wealthy enough to never have to record or gig again in life, and that he does it for the sheer joy of it! I hear in this album his incredible joy at trying something else, and loving it. Rock on Carlos!

Great sounds.......2007-05-24

I really enjoyed this oldie but goodie. Santana has a certain sound that is easy to listen to.

Hey, Carlos! Get back with the Woodstock band!.......2007-04-13

Okay, so Santana traded his integrity for those little green slips of paper with important dead guys on them decades ago, so it's no surprise he made out like a bandit by collaborating with the likes of Lauryn Hill, Dave Matthews and ROB THOMAS (why, Carlos? WHYYYYYYY????????????) playing the MOST commercial stuff imaginable. I mean, who's he gonna drag into the studio next? Scott Stapp? I hope not. That would be a dark day for Santana-dom.
I know most kids my age were introduced to Santana via this album's 65.7234 billion hits. Not me, though. While I heard Smooth and the like before any "classic Santana", I didn't know it was by Santana at the time. So I was consciencelly exposed to 'Los through the classics: Black Magic Woman, Oye Como Va, Soul Sacrifice, No One to Depend On, Europa, etc. And did that stuff kick huge keister, or did it kick huge keister? I guess I did hear all the big-deal Supernatural/Shaman songs BEFORE Black Magic Woman and its compatriots, but again, I had no clue it was Santana. And that let me tell you, that stuff's a world away from this. I mean, this can't even lick Abraxas or Santana 3's boots. I like Smooth, though, even if we've all heard it thirty-five-and-three-quarters trillion times. Catchy song, even with ROB THOMAS (who I'd like to kick) doing his "soulful" moans and whispers. Honestly, that guy's got as much soul as courrogated cardboard. But that's okay, because of Santana's slinky, seductive six-string solo. (Like the alliteration?) Even better is (Da Le) Yaleo, a fun pseudo-instrumental with Latin lyrics; and the attack on U.S. immigration policies known as Migra. And Santana's still Santana, which means he can play his guitar like few others. One of the top guys in the guitar game.
The downsides: pretty much everything else, starting with Maria Maria. What's Santana doing with rappers? I'll tell you what: laughing all the way to the bank as his fans buy the album in droves and are forced to put up with crap like that. And how many times can you mention "Spanish Harlem" in one song? No wonder these guys call themselves the "Product G&B" (which stands for "Ghetto & blues" - how ridiculous can you get?): they are, indeed, pure product. But why stop blasting this now? Africa Bamba is obviously an attempt to pull another Latin-sung smash. But it's not Oye Como Va or Guajira, I'll say that right now. Meanwhile, Put Your Lights On is invariably dull angsty rambling nobody in their right mind would listen to more than once, while Love of My Life wins the Least Original Title award AND the Least Original Song Award. Whoa, great winnings. Amazing. Or maybe I'd give both prizes to Do You Like the Way. I'm torn, somebody help me! And The Calling, with Eric Clapton, should be this godly guitar jam, because it's got ERIC CLAPTON! And he's a REALLY GOOD GUITARIST! And a COMPLETE SELLOUT! JUST LIKE SANTANA! My god, two massive sellouts on one song... the only thing that's missing is a Rod Stewart vocal spot, and they'd be all set. Getting back to the song itself, it's an extrodinary example of wanksmanship that goes on far too long.
So yeah, it sold a bunch, but it's kind of bad... and really commercial... and stuff... and shouldn't be in the Definitive 200... yeah... don't know how to close the review...

Average customer rating:

Lots of good stuff, some not so great.
Am I the only fan who loves Touissant L'Overture?
A Good Buy!
Santana: Energetic Rhythms
The Best of Santana

The Best of Santana
Santana
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best of Santana, Vol. 2
Supernatural
The Cream of Clapton
Shaman
Chronicle, Vol. 1: The 20 Greatest Hits

ASIN: B0000062FZ
Release Date: 1998-03-31

Tracks:

Jingo
Evil Ways
Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
Oye Como Va
Samba Pa Ti
She's Not There
No One To Depend On
Open Invitation
Hold On
Bella
Winning
All I Ever Wanted
Dance Sister Dance (Baila Mi Hermana)
Europa (Earth's Cry, Heaven's Smile)
Everybody's Everything
Soul Sacrifice

Amazon.com

There are a couple of Santana best-of compilations out there, and even a few mastersound gold-plated CDs, but this collection is as good a place as any for a newcomer to explore. It contains the band's three essential charters--"Black Magic Woman," "Evil Ways," and "Oye Como Va"--along with some lesser hits. Santana broke barriers, making ethnic-influenced music palatable to the mainstream, but this set doesn't sound like a history lesson. Few bands have ever made better music for driving on a hot summer day, and this CD is ideal for blasting out the windows of your car on a crowded thoroughfare. --Charles R. Cross

Customer Reviews:

Lots of good stuff, some not so great........2007-07-15

The tracks on here range from blockbuster hits to some not so great stuff that should have not even made a "best of" CD.

Am I the only fan who loves Touissant L'Overture?.......2007-03-09

Okay, if junk like Open Invitation, Hold On and All I Ever Wanted can be considered the Best of Santana, then I'm a conservative Jesus freak/NRA spokesman/anti-gay activist who's also an advocate of censorship. Of course, those songs are pure crapola, which means I canNOT be considered a conservative Jesus freak/NRA spokesman/anti-gay activist who's also an advocate of censorship, thank god. And while I'm moaning, where the hell is Touissant L'Overture? I mean, seriously, it's a friggin' masterpiece of a song, probably the best off Santana III. It's dramatic, but not bombastic. Or maybe it IS bombastic, and that's what makes it work. I don't have a freaking clue. Hey, I'm on a roll here, so where's Guajira? How about ANYTHING from Caravanesari or Love, Devotion, Surrender, which most compilations for some reason refuse to acknowledge even though it's one of his greatest albums - I'd put it at #3, behind Santana III and Abraxas, with Caravanesari coming in 4th. Both of those LP's rock (okay, they're more salsa/jazz fusion LPs, but you get the idea), and neither are given any acknowledgment. Come on, throw us fans of Santana's jazzier stuff a bone here! PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE? The Jugando/Carnival/Let the Children Play medley would've been the best from Festival, but they waltz over it as if it wasn't some of the most pure fun you'll ever have with Santana. WTF?
Nevertheless, if you're a Santana newbie, this might or might not be the ideal introduction, it DOES contain Jingo, Evil Ways, Soul Sacrifice, Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen, Oye Como Va, Samba Pa' Ti, No One to Depend On, Dance Sister Dance, Europa and Winning (his only listenable '80's AOR hit), after all. But really, anybody looking to get into the guy should start with Abraxas and Santana III, then proceed to the rest of the guy's first five albums (Santana, Caravanesari and Love, Devotion, Surrender), and they'd have the best Santana ever made. But again, this isn't a bad way to get acquainted with the guitar god we call Santana.

A Good Buy!.......2007-01-12

This is a very good CD. The sound quality was great and the music brought back memories. This is one CD that all Santana fans should purchase. The service that I received from Amazon was 5 star, and the price even better. Aloha

Santana: Energetic Rhythms.......2006-11-03

I really like Santana's energic rhythm, it makes me happy and brightens my day. I actually purchased this because of one tune I heard on the radio that strikes a chord within every time I hear it. That song would be EUROPA. This melody takes me to a lovely place, a journey through a myriad of memories and emotions.

The Best of Santana.......2006-08-17

This is a weird CD. For tracks 1-7, it is nearly perfect. Then, abruptly, tracks 8-12 suck big time -- very 80's and disco-ish. Then at track 13 it gets great again for the remainder of the CD. It's like a "Best of Van Halen" that randomly throws a block of Sammy Hagar tracks in the middle of a bunch of classic David Lee Roth material. Did Santana suck for a while and then get good again? Or is this CD just non-chronological? Whatever, it's a good CD, and it certainly has enough good songs to justify the price. You might want to burn it and cut out tracks 8-12.

Average customer rating:

Terribly Disappointed
Mi opinion, escucha este CD antes de comprarlo!
1 hit song
best ever from jennifer lopez
Como Ama Una Mjuer Review

Como Ama una Mujer
Jennifer Lopez
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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B'day
Sigo Siendo Yo: Grandes Exitos
Dignity
Mi Tiempo
Introducing Joss Stone

ASIN: B000N3SS80
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Tracks:

Qué Hiciste
Me Haces Falta
Como Ama Una Mujer
Te Voy A Querer
Por Que Te Marchas
Por Arriesgarnos
Tu
Amarte Es Todo
Apresurate
Sola
Adios

Amazon.com

Through the course of Como Ama Una Mujer, the first full-blown collection of Spanish-language tunes from multicultural diva Jennifer Lopez, we keep waiting for it to happen. A sweltering, hands-in-the-air dance anthem--the kind that made Lopez a superstar. Alas, the club beats never materialize: not even a soul-diva shimmy. The closest Lopez comes to is midtempo first single "Que Hiciste." (Seek out the pulsing, reggaeton-flavored remix for maximum dance floor fabulousness.) What we get here is a surprisingly solid collection of elegant ballads and rock-flavored tunes that showcase new vocal strengths and surprising lyrical maturity. Producers Marc Anthony, Estefano and Julio Reyes give Lopez the gloss without overpowing her, a key element to the disc's success. La Lopez recycles one track from 2005's Rebirth, "(Can't Believe) This Is Me," which pops up here as the superior "Porque te Marchas." The disc's second half is a sweeping, often gorgeous, stream of romantic consciousness, starting with the lovely "Tu" and gliding through the gently chugging "Sola." And the beautiful closing track "Adios" is a standout, pairing Lopez's lilting vocals with a gentle string arrangement and a rousing chorus of voices. A sterling achievement from a diva whose talent is just beginning to blossom. --Joey Guerra

Customer Reviews:

Terribly Disappointed.......2007-06-27

Though her voice is good; she should stick to Pop music. Too many ballads and the soul searching lyrics. Lyrics not appropriate for her. She sings about sadness and disappointment when we all know her life is so different. The songs did not match her or what she represents to Latinos and women. Jennifer should continue to do Pop music and upbeat tempos and forget about the torch songs of pain and abandonment. Not a good match. What were her producers thinking. Hello!!!! Wasted my money. I never listen to it again.

Mi opinion, escucha este CD antes de comprarlo!.......2007-06-21

Empiezo en comentar que cuando salio este CD a la venta pense que con el apoyo de Marc Anthony este proyecto iba a ser un exito. Desgraciadamente me equivoque. Bueno, la colaboracion de Marc Anthony es evidente en las canciones seleccionadas para este CD. Desafortunadamente la voz de JLO no tiene ese sentimiento para cantar estas canciones de amor. Yo no se si se precipitaron al terminar este CD porque yo tengo el DVD del primer concierto de JLO que fue grabado en la Isla del encanto y la interpretacion de varias baladas por la sexy JLO fue encantadora y ahi si escuche sentimiento cuando cantaba. Tal vez la Diva se sintio sentimental estando en Puerto Rico. En este CD no hay una cancion que me haya hecho sentir WOW. Pudo haber sido porque el Espanol no es la lengua principal de la JLO. Asi que te recomiendo que escuches este CD antes de comprarlo para que no te quejes despues de haber pagado precio completo.

1 hit song.......2007-06-15

there is only 1 hit, the others are tolerable. spanish is good, but her voice is a little shakey on ballads

best ever from jennifer lopez.......2007-06-05

I can hardly wait for the next all spanish cd from jennifer lopez - she could be the female luis miguel! it is just beautiful - especially "tu" and "por arriesgarnos". what took her so long to do this?

Como Ama Una Mjuer Review.......2007-06-02

To be honest with you, I did not like her English songs. She sings better in Spanish. I was impressed to hear that all her songs on the CD "Como Ama Una Mujer" were all knock-outs. I heard her husband Marc Anthony, in the back ground. I know his voice anywhere, and it sounded terrific. She can go a long way if she continue singing her songs in Spanish, even if she mixes a little bi-lingual It would be even better. I love them both and God has bless them together. And this CD I feel that it was the root of there love for each other and a new beginning. No words can express how I feel about them and their songs.

Average customer rating:

great listen
ABRAXAS IS ONE OF SANTANA'S MANY GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS.
A masterpiece....
A classic rock album still being played today.
Great Album but Needs Better Remastering!

Abraxas
Santana
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Santana
Santana III
Caravanserai
Santana III
Supernatural

ASIN: B0000062FL
Release Date: 1998-03-31

Tracks:

Singing Winds, Crying Beasts
Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
Oye Como Va
Incident At Neshabur
Se A Cabo
Mother's Daughter
Samba Pa Ti
Hope You're Feeling Better
El Nicoya
Se A Cabo (Live)
Toussaint L'Overture (Live)
Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen (Live)

Amazon.com essential recording

Santana's 1970 follow-up to their Woodstock-propelled smash '69 debut found leader Carlos Santana further expanding his San Francisco group's already broad musical boundaries. To wit: two hit singles that emanated from opposite ends of the spectrum--"Black Magic Woman," originally written and recorded by English blues-rock guitarist Peter Green and Fleetwood Mac, and New York Latin percussionist/dance music king Tito Puente's infectious "Oye Como Va." Tying blues, rock, and salsa together in one pancultural package, Abraxas also featured such standout tracks as "Gypsy Queen" and "Singing Winds, Crying Beasts." The latter underscored the growing Eastern sensibilities of guitarist Santana. --Billy Altman

Customer Reviews:

great listen.......2007-07-12

While not the very best Santana album (that would be the jazzier Caravanserai) Abraxas really opened the door for more great music just a couple years later for the highly original-sounding Santana. If you've never heard any Santana before, well, that's just wrong because you HAVE heard at least three of their songs (and maybe even the lost classic "Winning") you'd know the band is known for mixing latin rhythms into their rock and roll sound. Every Santana album in the early 70's had this style. It made them stand out from other musical artists BIG time back then.

Abraxas is the most popular album mainly because it features the two biggest hits from the band "Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Como Va". Those aren't the only great songs, in fact, those are just the tunes that warm you up for the rest of the album, which is probably even better than the two hits. "Singing Winds, Crying Beasts" opens the album on a quiet note, building in suspense the great guitar and keyboard work that the Abraxas album pulls off so well. "Incident At Neshabur" is probably the best song on here, because it leans more on the jazzy side and gives Santana a chance to really get a feel for his guitar playing.

The second side of the album is just really solid latin rock/hard rock. I really made a mistake when I originally said this album was overrated. Nope, far from it. The music is too good to be ignored.

ABRAXAS IS ONE OF SANTANA'S MANY GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS........2007-04-16

I will be writing a review on the legendary masterpiece album entitled "SANTANA / ABRAXAS" by one of Rock's all-time greatest legendary bands and one of the greatest latino performers ever. I give you one of America's as well as San Francisco's pride and joy's, S-A-N-T-A-N-A. "ABRAXAS" was originally released in 1970 on Vinyl/LP and 8-Track on the Columbia Records Label which is a division of Sony Music Inc. This legendary album would see it first release on Compact Disc in the late 80's. "ABRAXAS" would also be released in 1991 on a 24 KT Gold Plated Compact Disc in the ORIGINAL MASTER RECORDING / ULTRADISC series by Mobile Fidelity Sound lab under license from Columbia Records. I purchased this Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab release in 1991. When I played both the regular CD release and the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab release, believe me when I tell you that there is a huge difference in overall sound quality. The Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab release is far more superior than the regular CD release. Having an extremely expensive home stereo system at home, I can play all of the "ABRAXAS" recent album releases on Compact Disc including the DIGITALLY REMASTERED series. Playing them all, it is my opinion and conclusion that the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab release sounds far more superior than any of the other regular and DIGITALLY REMASTERED Compact Discs available. As always, if I hear any new additional information concerning this legendary masterpiece album or the artist, I will edit this review immediately so that you the consumer will get the overall best informative and most accurate review possible.

RITCHIE VALENS would forever be known as the first true latino hispanic Rock star of his kind that would combine latin songs with Rock n' Roll. However, VALENS' untimely death in February 1959 along with BUDDY HOLLY and J.P. "The big Bopper" RICHARDSON would mark the end of an era and Rock n' Roll's first real tragedy calling the fatality "the day the music died." With VALENS gone, who would be the next latino hispanic Rock star to pick up where VALENS left off. It would be years later before the whole world would get their answer.

Originally born in Autlan De Navarro, Mexico, but relocated to Tijuana, Mexico several years later, it would be in Tijuana that Carlos Santana would fall in love with his first passion, the guitar. In 1961, Carlos Santana would make a decision that would forever change his life. Carlos Santana would make the crossing himself, by moving from his native Mexico to San Francisco, California. It would be in San Francisco, a few years later that SANTANA would form the SANTANA BLUES BAND. Like his fellow latino hispanic predecessor RITCHIE VALENS, SANTANA'S mixture of music would comprise of Latin music, Latin Blues music, Jazz and Rock n' Roll. With this in mind, SANTANA was beginning to gain respect and recognition for his innovating sound and music taking right where RITCHIE VALENS left off. SANTANA would really gain more recognition and fame following his blistering performance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969.

SANTANA would record and release his self-titled debut album "SANTANA" in 1969 to highly critically acclaim. At last, SANTANA'S name will forever always be next to RITCHIE VALENS' name as one of the few latino hispanic Rock stars. Following the release of SANTANA'S self-titled debut album and the extremely successful World Tour that followed, it was now time for SANTANA to triumphantly head back into the recording studio and record the follow-up album to the extremely successful self-titled debut album.

After a certain amount of time flew by, SANTANA would evolve out of the recording studio with the finished and completed product and hand the album in to Columbia Records. As a result, Columbia Records would release this album as the "ABRAXAS" album in 1970. "ABRAXAS" would become a far more polished and superior album then that of the self-titled debut album released in 1969. And just think, it would take a PETER GREEN (FORMALLY OF FLEETWOOD MAC) composition called "Black Magic Woman" to not only really put SANTANA on the Rock n' Roll map, but forever secure SANTANA with his true trademark sound. In my opinion, "ABRAXAS" is without a doubt, a true testament of an extremely talented guitar genius and a fine fitting tribute to a great legendary artist and his band that were truly indeed, far ahead of their time.

It is now time for the sound and music of SANTANA to speak for itself and back it up by doing all of the talking musically. The legendary masterpiece album "ABRAXAS" begins with the incredible sounding latin music extravaganza "Singing Winds, Crying Beasts," with would evolve into the PETER GREEN composition classic and the forever SANTANA trademark rendition latin Rocker "Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen," the groundbreaking second spanish speaking Rock hit song ever, "Oye Como Va," the fast paced Latin / Jazz song "Incident At Neshabur," the amazing Latin Rocker "Se A Cabo," the breathtaking Latin Rocker "Mother's Daughter," the slow and beautifully arranged Latin Rocker "Samba Pa Ti," the blistering Latin Hard Rocker "Hope You're Felling Better" and the one minute and twenty-nine second Spanish Latin song "El Nicoya." May I also add that SANTANA'S revolutionary guitar riffs and licks are really the true Rock stuff that is made of legend. SANTANA'S unbelievable guitar arrangements and playing were sizzlin' red hot and on fire while recording the song tracks for this legendary album.

Overall, this is one hell of a great album worth seeking further research and information into and checking out especially if you are a hardcore diehard SANTANA fan or a devout music collector. As for all of the curious newcomers and new beginners that are not familiar with the sound and music of SANTANA, you might want to check out the many greatest hits compilation albums first before you decide on which SANTANA album to purchase that you feel is right for you. You can do all of your researching and purchase all of the SANTANA albums either through both Amazon com or Borders Books and Music stores.

I would like to highly recommend purchasing this legendary masterpiece album to own as a valuable and important part of his or her own personal music collection. This legendary album has forever proven to stand the test of time and will always be around to be enjoyed, appreciated and cherished for many years to come, NOW AND FOREVER. This is one great treasure album that no hardcore music fan or devout music collector would want to be without.

In closing, following the release of "ABRAXAS," SANTANA would embrace on another World Tour to promote the "ABRAXAS" album. SANTANA would perform before sell-out crowds the world over up to this very day. As you are all well aware, the SANTANA legend and legacy does not even come close to ending here. SANTANA would record and release many more great albums and hit single songs for many more years to come. But that, my fellow readers and reviewers, you will all just have to stay tuned and read further about it at a later date. SANTANA received the highest ultimate honor by being inducted as a member of the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. With this in mind, SANTANA has forever left his mark in Rock n' Roll history and will never be forgotton. So here's to you CARLOS. Thanks for the great memories with many more to come. Keep Persevering. Keep The Faith. And as the saying goes, "AND THE REST IS ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY," need I say more? Thanks for reading my review and I hope that you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also hope that all of you will read all of my other reviews in the near future when time permits. LONG LIVE SANTANA. Long Live Rock n' Roll. Rock out always and take it easy. Forever In Rock, John L.

A masterpiece...........2007-03-08

...other than the two Gregg Rolie tracks, anyway. I always thought Santana was a world-class guitarist with a stellar backing band who made several good albums, but never anything excellent. Other than Abraxas, anyway. Now, I found myself begging for mercy on the two Gregg Rolie vocal tracks (Mother's Daughter, Hope You're Feeling Better) - hey buddy, shut the #!@% up and play your organ! And don't step on Santana, either. And the group lacked a quality lyricist at this point - only Rolie, who of course WROTE Mother's Daughter and Hope You're Feeling Better - brainless lyrics and all. Okay, no more dissing Rolie, because that'll take away from the main intent of this review. Abraxas is awesome-and-a-half, off the power of the subliminally beautiful Samba Pa' Ti, killer jam Oye Como Va (my favorite Santana song), fusion pieces Singing Winds Crying Beasts and Incident at Neshabur, and especially the ever-popular Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen, exquisite Latin blues thanks to Santana's leads, which sparkle. There's a lot of jamming here, but it's tight and focused - nothing runs longer than five-and-a-half minutes. And hey, these guys had the Latin/rock/funk/blues/jazz/whatever-else-came-their-way groove DOWN. So be sure to buy this if Santana does anything for you, since this is easily the best thing to bear the Santana name. The debut, III, Caravanesari and Love, Devotion, Surrender shouldn't be missed either.

A classic rock album still being played today........2006-03-28

This cd was originally my father's and he played it in rememberance of his crazy days back in 1971 crusing in his Pontiac Firebird. I gave it a listen and loved it. Especially Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen. Other genius tracks that led me to replay were

Singing Winds,Crying Beasts Track 1
Se a Cabo track 5
Hope your feeling better track 8
and the romantic Samba Pa Ti track 7

The only track i don't not agree should be on this original 8 track album is track 9 El Nicoya I strongly recommend to buy the new version relased in 2000 since it has live tracks played april of 1970.I also recommend buying Supernatural. Perfect album I will listen for days to come Santana Abraxas

Great Album but Needs Better Remastering!.......2006-03-11

I'm not sure why reviews of the gold, DTS and other versions are all on this page when clearly this page refers to the re-issued "re-mastered" 1998 version with bonus tracks but in any case, I'll review this version in case anyone's interested.

The cd itself has got great liner notes explaining a brief early history of Santana which is a nice touch. The bonus tracks, all previously unreleased, actually enhance the listening experience which seldom results as many other attempts at adding bonus tracks to otherwise classic albums tend to take away somewhat from the overall quality of the album. Also, given the fact that these last 3 tracks were recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall, the sound quality is very good.

However, it's with the main course of this meal and not the dessert that I have my beef with. I don't know how much of this is due to a severely deteriorated master source but the sound quality of the album proper (i.e. the first 9 tracks) is quite poor. The volume levels are low overall and the bass seems to overpower everything else.

To its credit, nowhere on the cd does it claim that this album has been remastered only that it has been mastered by Vic Anesini which gives us hope that the powers that be can still seek out a better master source from the vaults or do a proper remastering job with today's state of the art equipment to truly do justice to this brilliant classic rock album.

And now to the quality of the songs: Carlos Santana who once played with Miles Davis is very obviously heavily influenced by him, Tito Puente and Gabor Szabo (Gypsy Queen) and this is very evident on this album. Peter Green from the original Fleetwood Mac and the composer of "Black Magic Woman" was also involved in the making of this cover version of his song which is arguably even better than the original which may not be the case for the other cover "Oye Como Va" wherein Tito Puente's version with lots more percussion probably is better and yet both tracks are every upcoming guitarist's dream jam songs.

Speaking as a guitarist myself I can tell you that there are few joys that surpass that of jamming to "Oye Como Va" with a band and "Black Magic Woman" is one of the first songs that I learnt to play note-for-note when I first started playing years ago. Although most people remember the album for these 2 tracks, the rest of the tracks are also very good and "Samba Pa Ti" is just a brilliant piece of mood music and great tone and phrasing on the part of Carlos on guitar.

There is little doubt in my mind that Santana will make the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame soon if they are not already in there and that this album will be the main reason why. My recommendation is to wait for the May release of this album on mini lp sleeve replica and hopefully with better sound quality by our friends in Japan who tend to do a better job of sound production generally and so I'm keeping my fingers crossed, having already pre-ordered my copy.

If you don't mind too much about sound quality, then go ahead and get this album if you are a fan of great classic rock and/or you are an aspiring rock guitarist as this is essential listening if you belong to either category.

Recommended.

The Best Tango Album in the World, Ever!

Average customer rating:

Excellent CD
Leonard in Hemet, CA
with DEFECT
My review is for ballroom dancers
Something is missing.

The Best Tango Album in the World, Ever!
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Tantalizing Tangos of Argentina
The Tango Fundamentals - Volume 1: Basic Elements
Tango
The Tango Fundamentals - Volume 2: Basic Caminadas
The Tango Fundamentals - Volume 3: Basic Giros

ASIN: B00008L3R0
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Tracks:

Mi Buenos Aires Querido - Carlos Garcia
La Cumparsita - Jose Basso
Por Una Cabeza (from "Scent of a Woman") - The Tango Project
Cambalache - Julio Sosa with Leopoldo Federico
El Firulete - Mariano Mores
Canaro En Paris - Hector Varela
Rodriguez Pena - Francisco Canaro
Sur - Jorge Sobral with J.A. Giaimo
9th Of July - Osvaldo Pugliese
El Esquinazo - Carlos Garcia
La Rayuela - Astor Piazzolla
Fuga Y Misterio - The 12 Cellists featuring Juliane Banse
Volver - Carlos Gardel
La Punalada - Sexteto Mayor
La Yumba - Osvaldo Pugliese

Tracks:

Caminito - Flordino Sassone
El Choclo - Alfredo De Angelis
Yira Yira - Flordino Sassone
Cafetin De Buenos Aires - Hugo Del Carril
A Media Luz - Carlos Garcia
El Portenito - Carlos Garcia
Taquito Militar - Mariano Mores
Re Fa Si - Alfredo De Angelis
Adios Muchachos - Flordino Sassone
Ojos Negros - Raul Garello
El Metejon - Anibal Troilo
El Torito - Alfredo De Angelis
Quejas De Bandoneon - Anibal Troilo
Adios Nonino - Sexteto Mayor
Mi Buenos Aires Querido (Vocal Version) - Carlos Gardel

Customer Reviews:

Excellent CD.......2006-07-20

Tango music seems hard to find, expeccially of such ggod quality. Happy to have found "The Best Tango Album in the World, Ever!", now to the dance floor!!

Leonard in Hemet, CA.......2006-04-20

I gave it four stars to encourage those who like to sit and listen to fine orchestras. This CD may be great for dancing if you are in the clsss with those who danced with the stars. My partner and I are early 80s and dance almost everything else. Then we decided to learn Tango. This album doesn't work for us.

with DEFECT.......2006-02-01

I RECEIVED A CD, THE TANGO CD( THE BEST TANGO ALBUM IN THE WORLD EVER) WAS DEFECTUOUS, SINCE IT PLAYS ALRIGHT UNTIL THE 12TH SONG, BUT THEN THE SONGS STARTS GIVING WEIRD TONES. AND THE 2ND CD ACTS THE SAME WAY, SINCE MY TANGO ALBUM IS A DOUBLE CD.THE PROBLEM IS NOT FROM THE RADIO, SINCE MY OTHER PURCHASE FROM AMAZON IS IN GOOD SHAPE, AS AL MY OTHER CDS.
THE MUSIC ALWAYS STOPS PLAYING RIGHT AT THE SAME TIME OF THE CD, THE 12 TH SONG, SO ITS PRETTY MUCH A CD PROBLEM.
I DUNNO WHATS THE REFUND POLICY, OR CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER, ITS SO BAD , COS THIS TANGO CD IS GREAT. I ENJOYED IT MUCH , UNTIL.........
THX

My review is for ballroom dancers.......2005-09-15

If you're just learning tango and wish to practice on your own, this is a wise investment. You won't have to disrupt your practice running back and forth to your cd player to select tracks. You won't drive yourself nuts listening to the same song stuck on loop play. Basically, this is a good cd of classical, non-elevator tango music that does not beat you over the head with a nausiating DUM DUM DUM DUM beat. (Well, most of the songs do not.)

There are a few lousy tracks within this collection, but it has been my experience that with all cds there will always be tracks you tend to skip over.

Do not let the $14.99 price tag for a two disk set turn you off. This is good music.

Something is missing........2004-12-28

I got the feeling that 1/3 of the title were included just to justify the double volume. I would a smaller number of tracks but with more passion.

Average customer rating:

Santana's First Album is Well Worth It
(3.5 stars) Good, but sadly not excellent
Carlos Santana's Smokin' Debut
Santana's 1st release
Fantastic Debut Album

Santana
Santana
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Abraxas
Santana III
Caravanserai
Santana III
Are You Experienced

ASIN: B0000062FJ
Release Date: 1998-03-31

Tracks:

Waiting
Evil Ways
Shades Of TIme
Savor
Jingo
Persuasion
Treat
You Just Don't Care
Soul Sacrifice
Savor (Live)
Soul Sacrifice (Live)
Fried Neckbones (Live)

Amazon.com essential recording

By the time Santana arrived on the San Francisco scene in 1968, the Grateful Dead's freeform antics were already legendary. But Santana was a jam band of another order--fueled by Latin rhythms, blues, bebop, and straight-ahead rock. Having set the audience at the 1969 Woodstock festival on its collective ear, the band did the same for the nation with its self-titled debut, released later that summer. Songs such as "Evil Ways," "Jingo," and "Soul Sacrifice" contain extraordinary ensemble playing, powered by percolating congas and timbales and topped by the grippingly human cry of Carlos Santana's guitar. The 1998 reissue of the album contains three bonus tracks recorded live at Woodstock: "Savor," "Soul Sacrifice," and "Fried Neckbones." --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews:

Santana's First Album is Well Worth It.......2007-03-14

Hard-driving, original, and imaginative, the music on this album was way ahead of its time. These songs are as easy-going and enjoyable as they are deep expressions of emotion. You'll be glad you have this one. The bonus tracks are Santana at Woodstock, including the previously unreleased "Fried Neckbones".

(3.5 stars) Good, but sadly not excellent.......2007-03-10

Okay, each of Santana's first five albums (everything from this, his/their debut, to Love, Devotion, Surrender) is awesome to a certain degree. And this is the weakest of it. Why? I'm sorry, but three of the four songs sung in English BLOW. It's true. Do I buy a Santana album because I want to hear Greg Rolie bellowing "You've got the Persuasion, blah, blah, blah...", whining about how "You just don't care..." (a true statement!) or babbling about Shades of Time? No. I buy a Santana album because Carlos Santana can play his friggin' guitar. Okay, the notable exception is Evil Ways. [...]. It's true. Come on, sing it with me... "You've got to change your evil ways/baby..." Pretty damn catchy, no? And Rolie makes up for singing all those crap lyrics on those other song with that little organ blurb after the first chorus.
Don't panic, though. If it's not sung in English (or is an instrumental, for that matter), it's probably an absolute KILLER. Soul Sacrifice is a showstopper, the song that broke them through at Woodstock and is, without a doubt, the best song here. I especially love that part when Rolie and Carlos trade bars for a couple seconds. Cool, no? Jingo would've made for a killer opener, I think, but what the hell. It's one of my favorites regardless of where it was sequenced. You want polyrhythm? Well, you got it! Waiting kicks things off on a solid note, sure it sounds a bit like Soul Sacrifice but Soul Sacrifice is so damn good that doesn't mean a thing. Savor takes a bit longer than the other good tracks here to get its mojo workin', but once it gets past that introduction it's good. Not great, but good. Treat's the only instrumental here I DON'T like - it's just kinda blah.
Don't start here if you're building a Santana collection - Abraxas and III are places to go. But don't miss it, either. Added bonus: The best cover art EVER to grace a Santana record.

Carlos Santana's Smokin' Debut.......2007-02-19

Though Carlos Santana has achieved many accomplished works over the course of almost 40 years in modern music, this CD is among my top 20 favorites of all time. I just acquired the re-mastered version, having had the cassette tape for many years. Carlos Santana has proven with this album that he is the King of the Latin percussion-infused jams. His unique blend of rhythm, distorted soulful organ riffs and fiery guitar solos have achieved him musical distinction, beginning nearly 40 years ago.

When I heard "Waiting" for the first time in a long time, it made me want to get up and do the rhumba. Even better than that, the integral "Shades of Time/Savor" had me looking for the nearest furniture that I could play the congas on. This music is definitely addicting and the re-mastered version includes three tracks recorded at Woodstock.

I highly recommend this.

Santana's 1st release.......2006-07-30

The Santana Debut.
A brilliant combination of Rock, Latin and African influence.
I have owned this album first on vinyl and later on CD. Over 35 years now and songs like Evil way and Soul Sacrifice sound as fresh as new.
3 Santana albums are a necessity for any collector
Santana
Abraxas
Santana III

These are the basic and best of many other great titles Carlos Santana released in all these years.
Well recommended.

Fantastic Debut Album.......2006-03-19

More than 35 years after its initial release, Santana's first album still remains fresh and relevant.
Latin rhythms, rock and blues all merge together to form Santana's unique sound.
This "30th Anniversary Edition" has been digitally remastered and sounds great.
The icing on the cake is the three bonus tracks from Santana's electrifying Woodstock performance, a performance that shot the band into national prominence and deservedly so.
The original Santana band lineup was to go on to make 2 more excellent albums (Abraxas and III) before parting ways but neither of them, nor the albums that followed with other musicians, capture the raw energy of the group the way this first album did.

Average customer rating:

Santana at their best
Muy gracias, Carlos
Santana starts down the fusion path
This one still works
DARING MUSICAL WORK

Caravanserai
Santana
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Borboletta
Abraxas
Santana III
Santana
Moonflower

ASIN: B0000AKY7E
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

Eternal Caravan Of Reincarnation
Waves Within
Look Up (To See What's Coming Down)
Just In Time To See The Sun
Song Of The Wind
All The Love Of The Universe
Future Primitive
Stone Flower
La Fuente Del Ritmo
Every Step Of The Way

Customer Reviews:

Santana at their best.......2007-06-28

Santana were probably one of the most consistent classic rock bands of the 70's. Every album is listenable the entire way through. When you have a unique latin sound, and are able to successfully implement that style into your music and not branch away from the formula, the results are going to be spectacular every time. That's why people remember those early Santana albums, and listen to them all the time. Hey, AC/DC never changed their style, and look at how many people agreed with that decision. Santana did the same thing, and it worked. The music is great! Alright, so Santana DID eventually change their sound, but let's focus on what they did in the early 70's, mkay? I'm focusing on the classic years because that's what people should remember Santana for.

Caravanserai is perhaps Santana's most underrated album (and no, it has nothing to do with that Canterbury band around at the same time called Caravan- MUCH different bands!). Why is the album so underrated? Because to my knowledge, classic rock radio has never played anything from it (or if they did, those days are long gone). It's mostly an instrumental album. It sounds like what you've come to expect from Santana (you know, lengthy guitar jams, latin influences, etc) though it's slightly jazzier than previous efforts. It has the absolutely glorious "Song of the Wind". Now THAT'S a classic song. Shame it's been ignored for so many years.

One thing that's important to note is that the songs actually get longer and jazzier as the album goes on. By the time you reach the final song ("Every Step of the Way") you're up to 9 whole minutes of classic guitar work mixed with those famous latin influences that only Santana could pull off successfully. What a great guitar sound, and what a great album. 52 minutes of total satisfaction. With the current price people are selling it for, you can't lose. Buy it now.

Muy gracias, Carlos.......2006-12-25

It's late...I am between the ending of one day and the beginning of a new one...candles are lit, incense is burning, Caravanserai is playing gently on my stereo and I am transported in the world between the seen and the unseen. I allow myself to breathe in...and breathe out...with every breath cycle is life and death, crucifixion and ascension, despair and hope, destruction and renewal. I stop looking outwardly for the Light and I realize with real eyes see that the Light is within me.

I am the Light.

The music keeps going. Deeper and deeper I go. I look at things previously with a kind of detachment. Just another stage to play on...just another experience of consciousness...it looked real, it felt real, but was it? Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe "True Reality" cannot even be touched.

The music continues.

I breathe in the music. I let it seep into my cells. I let it dance in each atom of creation. I let it melt in between the seen and the unseen and I breathe in my wholeness...I breathe out my holiness...I know who I am. I know where I am. I am that which I am. The fire burns bright within me and around me. The music starts to go deeper and deeper into my soul where I remember that I am just a space/just a place love.

This body is only a vehicle.
It is not who I am.
I am that I am.
I AM.
There is no other.

I breathe in...
I breathe out...

The music continues. New delights. New insights. New realms appearing as well as old ones dissolving. The changeless reality within all remains unaffected.

All is well.

Peace be still.

Peace I give to you...not as the world gives but as I give...
the I of me...the I of you...the I of we..

It's
all
One...

Dang, I got the munchies. Is there anymore of that left over pizza?

=)

Peace and Blessings, everyone!

Santana starts down the fusion path.......2006-12-13

This is a fantastic cd and the remastering is done well. Carlos Santana always manages to play guitar like it's being channeled straight from his soul. On Caravanserai the entire band made a questionable, at the time, move toward fusion jazz. My understanding is that Santana's producer tried to talk him out of the jazz direction. If Carlos would have followed this advice he would have made an excellent commercial decision. Instead, the band went down the jazz fusion path and created a masterpiece.

The entire band is on fire on every song and Carlos is playing with an urgency that takes everything to another level.

Essential and beyond the rating system.

This one still works.......2006-10-27

This is Santana with much of his original band starting to move away from rock towards jazz fusion. The "songs" blend into each other and it's hard to tell where one piece ends and another starts sometimes. Much more so than his earlier albums, you are looking at one entire piece here and not a collection of different songs. You're either going to love this one or not; I feel it's one of his best. I think they do a great job of tying together all the musical pieces into one unified and coherent whole here. This is not the Santana of Abraxas and it's not the later Santana of Supernatural- it's one of his mid 1970s steps towards jazz and if you go into this not looking for catchy commercial songs, you should really like it.

DARING MUSICAL WORK.......2006-09-13

Caravanserai is a daring album even by Santana's high standard.
This album was not Rock nor Salsa; but Jazz-Rock and simply very adventurous to any musician even for someone with the musical popularity like Santana.
Full of heartfelt, introspective guitar solos, yet very different from the previous albums, Santana or Abraxas.
In my humble opinion, this is one of the finest accomplishment for this great artist.
Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Where have I been?
Ry Cooder is a musician's musician
Ry Cooder
Not very listenable
not his best

Chavez Ravine
Ry Cooder
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Master of Disaster
Paradise and Lunch
My Name Is Buddy
Mambo Sinuendo
Dimanche a Bamako

ASIN: B0009353IW
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Tracks:

Poor Man's Shangri-La
Onda Callejera
Don't Call Me Red
Corrido de Box Eo
Muy Fifi
Los Chucos Suaves
Chinito Chinito
3 Cool Cats
El U.F.O. Cayo
It's Just Work For Me
In My Town
Ejercito Militar
Barrio Viejo
3rd Base, Doger Stadium
Soy Luz Y Sombra

Amazon.com

Ry Cooder might have been tempted to bill this as the Chavez Ravine Social Club. After generating such popular and critical interest in Cuban music of decades past with the Buena Vista Social Club, Cooder applied a similar approach closer to home, extending his fascination with the Mexican-American culture that flourished in 1940s and '50s Los Angeles. The result is an CD that sounds like it's aspiring to be something far more ambitious: a DVD, a theatrical production, even a time machine. Cooder and a cast of seminal Chicano artists present a song cycle that conjures an era of UFOs, the Red Scare, and political machinations that leveled the Chavez Ravine barrio to lure the Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles. In his celebration of a vibrant community that doesn't know it's on the verge of displacement, Cooder enlists Thee Midnighters vocalist Little Willie G. (whose songwriting collaboration with Los Lobos's David Hidalgo on "Onda Callejara" highlights the album). and Pachuco patriarchs Don Tosti and Lalo Guerrero, with the latter reviving his dancefloor favorite "Los Chucos Suaves." The accordion of Flaco Jimenez adds conjunto flavor to "Barrio Viejo." Throughout the album, Cooder plays a typically tasteful, understatedly virtuosic guitar, assumes a variety of vocal roles--including a cool Chet Baker homage in duet with pianist Jacky Terrason on "In My Town"--and provides the provocative social context. --Don McLeese

More Ry Cooder

Buena Vista Social Club (producer and performer)
Mambo Sinuendo (with Manuel Galbán)
A Meeting by the River (with V.M. Bhatt)

Paradise and Lunch (solo)
Music by Ry Cooder (film music compilation)
Into the Purple Valley (solo)

Album Description

Ry Cooder's Chavez Ravine is-a post-World War II-era American narrative of "cool cats," radios, UFO sightings, J.Edgar Hoover, red scares, and baseball.Using real and imagined historical characters, Cooder and friends creates an album that recollects various aspects of the poor but vibrant hillside Chicano cummunity, which was bulldozed by developed in the interest of "progress."

Customer Reviews:

Where have I been?.......2007-04-24

Out of it in Japan, actually. I only learned about this excellent album while reading a review of Mr. Cooder's My Name is Buddy and I'm not even sure why I was reading that, never having been much of a fan. Mistake. Every song on this album is a winner; the beautiful Soy Luz y Sombra even got me choked up in the middle of traffic out on the ugly-as-sin 'hatchi go sen' (that would be Hwy 8). Each song has a quite distinct emotional and musical life while the 'concept' is artistically embellished and embroidered. Mr. Cooder orquestrates a very 'simpatico' ensemble. In addition the music not only entertains but educates as well - a look at midcentury LA before the Dodgers - and improves your spanish (o tu ingles!) as it comes with a nicely done booklet of lyrics and translations, 52 pages worth! One can imagine the good times and love that went into this production; the music certainly reflects that. A keeper. Impressive. Thank you.

Ry Cooder is a musician's musician.......2007-03-19

This is an elegantly produced album the captures an LA sound that deserves the treatment given. Each cut grows on you with every play -- the mark of good music.

Ry Cooder.......2007-03-19

Although the first and second track were my favourite, it is a good album and Would recomend if you want a chill out music.

Not very listenable.......2007-01-06

I'm a longtime Ry Cooder fan but this doesn't rank as even listenable. Can you even hum or remember any of these weird tunes? As a soundtrack to some PBS documentary, maybe this might be acceptable, but for pure listening enjoyment go somewhere else. I bought this, struggled to listen to it once and won't play it again. Go to "Paradise and Lunch" or "Bop Til you Drop" to get vintage Ry Cooder roots music.

not his best.......2006-11-28

I am a Ry Cooder fan, and this is not his best. I was quite dismayed and it is one of the C.D's I never listen to. If you are looking for good Ry Cooder, this is not the one to buy.

Average customer rating:

A Classic!
Santana The Best Instrumentals
Best Instrumentals
From the inside!!
Just the music

Best Instrumentals (Sony)
Santana
Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Essential Santana
The Best of Santana, Vol. 2
Caravanserai
Oneness: Silver Dreams Golden Reality
The Best of Santana

ASIN: B000006X37
Release Date: 2000-12-25

Tracks:

Samba Pa Ti
Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)
I Love You Too Much
Aqua Marine
Bella
Moonflower
Life Is A Lady/Holiday
Full Moon
Song Of The Wind
Tales Of Kilimanjaro
Love Is You
Guru's Song
Treat
Blues For Salvador
Soul Sacrifice

Album Description

Mid-priced compilation featuring 15 of the guitar legend's absolute finest instrumental works, including 'Samba Pa Ti','Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)', 'I Love You Much Too Much', 'Life Is A Lady/ Holiday', 'Blues For Salvador' & 'Soul Sacrifice'. 1997 Sony release.

Album Details

Tracks Include: Europa, Samba Pa Ti, Europa (Earth's Cry, Heaven's Smile), Flor D'Luna (Moonflower) Tales of Kilimanjaro and More.

Customer Reviews:

A Classic!.......2007-07-02

This compilation cd is a great collection of Santana favorites. The instrumentals only feature lifts these recordings from a 60's/70's, etc. retrospective into a terrific adult contemporary classic.

Santana The Best Instrumentals.......2007-03-19

This CD has a number of Santana's classic hits like Samba Pa Ti, Flor de Luna, and Soul Sacrifice that I really enjoyed, however, in my opinion those are the only really good songs and this is a mediocre album.

Best Instrumentals.......2006-11-06

This is great collection. This is the flavor of Santana I enjoy most.

From the inside!!.......2005-08-20

This is a very good compilation of only instrumentals by the master. My only regret is that "Every Step of the Way" from "Caravanserai" is missing. That is one of the most powerful Santana songs ever. Also, my favorite in this compilation is "Aquamarina".

Just the music.......2005-01-09

There are many great guitarists in the world but only Carlos Santana can move me like he does. Long ago I made my own version of this album on cassette because I wanted all these great instumentals on one tape. Finally it has been done and been done right. Europa is easily the best instrumental number ever and I would argue one of the best songs of all time. It is perfectly married with all the other great Santana numbers that were usually the best thing on their respective albums.
Put this on, turn the lights down low and lose yourself in the music.

Average customer rating:

Solid, slick, professional
String Cheese Theory
Essential Santana due to the definitive version of "Europa"
Santana's Best Jams
The best guitar solo

Moonflower
Santana
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Caravanserai
Lotus
Santana III
Borboletta
Welcome

ASIN: B0000AKY7M
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

Dawn / Go Within
Carnaval
Let The Children Play
Jugando
I'll Be Waiting
Zulu
Bahia
Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen
Dance Sister Dance (Baila Mi Hermana)
Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)

Tracks:

She's Not There
Flor D'Luna (Moonflower)
Soul Sacrifice / Head, Hands & Feet (Drum Solo)
El Morocco
Transcendance
Savor / Toussaint L'Overture
Black Magic Woman (Single Version)
I'll Be Waiting (Single Version)
She's Not There (Single Version)

Album Description

Moonflower, originally released in 1977 was a return to the Latin influences of the band's earlier albums. This collection includes both live recordings of classics such as 'Soul Sacrifice' & 'Black Magic Woman'. Includes 3 single version bonus tracks 'Black Magic Woman', 'I'll Be Waiting' & 'She's Not There'. Columbia. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Solid, slick, professional.......2007-07-14

This album comes from a period in Santana's career where declining sales led him and the band to take their music in a more commercial, accessible direction. That's not to say that the band "sold out"; there are still long instrumental sections and flashy solos by Carlos and keyboardist Tom Coster. But the rawness of the early albums and the adventurousness of the early 70s period are gone, replaced by a more "professional" (for better or worse) approach.

About 40% of the album was actually recorded in the studio. In general this is above average for Santana of this period, and compares favorably to material on Amigos and Festival. "She's Not There", a cover of the classic Zombies tune, is nicely done. I also like the instrumentals, especially "Flor D'Luna".

The other 60% is live. It's not bad but not great. I'm not a big fan of Graham Lear's drumming on "Black Magic Woman" -- way too rockish and "square", unlike Michael Shrieve's slinky Latin groove on earlier versions. And this version of "Soul Sacrifice" is a pale shadow of either the studio version or the legendary Woodstock performance. The percussion section is definitely nowhere near what it was in the band's early days.

If you like Santana's mid-late 70s sound or live rock albums from that period, you will definitely want to pick Moonflower up (and will surely rate it higher than I did). If you prefer Santana's first three albums or the early 70s jazz-rock period, you may be disappointed. (Though I doubt you will feel you wasted your money.) If you're interested in picking up your first Santana live album, I would go for either the complete Woodstock performance (on the 2 cd reissue of the first Santana album), the 1971 Fillmore gig (on the 2 cd reissue of Santana III), or the 1973 live album Lotus. After you get those, check this one out.

String Cheese Theory.......2007-06-14

The music on this CD is superb. It's a great mix of studio and live recordings. This release marked a return from the fusion experiments back to playing music that is more "accessible" to the masses. Still, there is some great fusion on this release. Old favorites like Black Magic Woman and Toussaint L'Overture are far better than the originals, although one wonders just how much mileage Carlos can get out of these tunes, they appear all over the place on the Legacy remasters.

This release does suffer a little bit from out-dated electronic technology. Many bands, to their credit, avoided jumping on the synthesizer band wagon back in the 70's. King Crimson is one good example. This has proven to be a wise decision and here's why: updates in technology have rendered the electronics used in the 70's obsolete.

Traditional instruments such as drums, bass, sax, flute, trumpet, guitar are never going to sound "out of date" because there is no technological improvement to the instrument that will render them obsolete. Synthesizers on the other hand, are out of date within months of their first use and that's exactly why some of the music on this CD sounds a little dated - especially the cheesy ARP Strings used by Coster.

One other annoying little thing is Santana's repeated use of a chromatic walk up the guitar neck on a single string while striking the string at lightening speed with his pick (right hand) and running his guitar through an echo-plex. Don't get me wrong, to be sure, it's a very cool effect. But it is sooooo overused by Santana that it diminishes its effectiveness in the music and leaves me questioning his virtuosity (sorry Santana fans). He uses that lick all over the place on this release and also on Borboletta. Truly GREAT musicians just don't do that.

So, other than some of the instrumenation sounding a tad dated, this really is a fantastic release and worthy of your hard earned pennies. 4.5 stars. It's not quite a 5 in my book but it's close.

Essential Santana due to the definitive version of "Europa".......2007-03-03

This album is a nice mix between the more "pop" vocal leanings of the Santana band and the intense, explosive Miles / McLaughlin-inspired fusion work. The cover of The Zombies' "She's Not There" was a massive FM radio hit in its day (1977). Live tracks include the required "Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen, "Soul Sacrifice," and "Savor / Toussaint L'Overture," but the real gem of this collection is the career-best performance of "Europa." I've lost track of how many times this has appeared on Santana albums, both in studio and live formats, but this is the one. The next time you hear someone trashing Santana, put on "Europa" and watch them shut up...FAST. This album, "Lotus," and "Welcome" make up my "3 all-time greatest Santana albums" list.

Santana's Best Jams.......2006-09-26

If you're looking for the one Santana album that encompasses all of his talents, this is it. If you're not familiar with Santana, and are considering his music, this album is it. A collection of live cuts and studio tracks, this album was released right "Amigos". It was released during a period when Carlos Santana was pursuing some serious spiritual pathways, and the music is the better for it.

The band for the live cuts was one tight group, and, in my opinon, the best collection of musicians Carlos (or Devadip Carlos, as he called himself at the time)has ever assembled. I can not offhand think of another Santana album where the band is so astonishingly enegetic and incredibly tight. The jazz/fusion influence of Tom Coster's keyboard playing can be felt throughout.

For me, the tracks that particularly stand out are "Europa", "Transcendance", and "Soul Sacrifice". The live version of Europa, with its increaed tempo and careful use of feedback, and the extended jamming near the end, is worth the price of the album. "Transcendance" is a studio cut with an exteded guitar jam that's fast and tight..no sloppy notes here. The live "Soul Sacrifice" is the album's tour de force, where no ounce of energy is spared. The guitar work is beyond description. The closing power chords rank right up there with the most powerful rock chords ever recorded. As reviewer GLM accurately states, this track will "test your speakers" and "make your ear wax fall out". It's tough to listen to this one and not feel pumped afterward, wondering what hit you.

The one drawback to this CD, and it's a minor one, is that the tracks too frequently alternate between studio and stage. If played right through, the arrangement of the tracks can present too much of a mood change. You can easily overcome this by suitably programming your player. Also, the opening track, Dawn/Go Within, gets cut off way too early. Just as the groove is really picking up and Tom Coster is laying down some great piano chords, the song fades and segues into the live "Carnaval".

This album says it all for Santana.

Enjoy.

The best guitar solo.......2006-09-12

For true Santana fans, this is - in my opinion - the best Santana CD available. There is a mixture of popular songs along with some great guitar solos. "Transcendance" - to me - is probably the best guitar solo by Carlos Santana ever recorded.

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