Santana - Santana

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 Amazon.com essential recording

Santana

Santana *****

Fresh off the success of their stint at the historic Woodstock, Santana, the last of the San Francisco bands to emerge at the end of the 1960's recorded this, their fantastic self-titled debut album. Over the years Santana would have brilliance in his albums, much like Blues For Salvador which would be amazing had it not been for the production, or Supernatural which jump started his career again but was a lack luster album. Well this was not the case with the first four Santana albums, especially this one, as it is truly the groups best.

Featuring the talented Gregg Rolie on the keys/organ and on most of the vocals. Many can take or leave his vocals and lyrics while I love them. 'Shades Of Time' can be pretentious at times, especially the title, but overall it is a good instrumental track with some good vocals. 'Persuasion' and 'You Just Don't Care' can be summed the same. 'Evil Ways' while it was the big hit on the album, really has never been heard until you've heard it in album form. And while it is a cover, the group makes it their own.

But for me what makes Santana the groups best effort is the instrumental factor. The over all instrumentation on the album is more or less breathtaking. 'Treat' is melt in your mouth good, and 'Waiting' sets the pace for what the band would do in the next decade. 'Savor' is almost haunting the way Carlos' guitar and Rolies organ intertwined. 'Jingo' reminds me why I play the guitar every time I hear it, and 'Soul Sacrifice' could speak for itself but I must say that it is with out competition the very best thing the group ever recorded. It is a testament to what made early Santana records so great, the fact that they could cram an amazing jam into a short few minutes.

Santana brought something new to the table with their blending of jazz, rock, African, Spanish, and blues to make one of the most original sounds in all of rock. Mike Shrieve would go down as one of rocks most underrated drummers as would the percussion section of Jose Areas and Mike Carabello.

Santana is one of those rare rock albums that is not just a mere rock album, but more of a solid piece of music playing out as one long, never boring piece of music with many parts, much like Miles Davis' Porgy And Bess.

With some versions of Santana three bonus tracks are included from their set at Woodstock. A fiery run at 'Savor,' and maybe the most breathtaking version of 'Soul Sacrifice' you'll ever hear, as well as a semi-rare 'Fried Neckbones' which is always a good listen. With or without the bonus tracks, Santana's debut album is a must have for an musical collection. May 28, 2008

And So It Began...

I was in High School when this album came out and remember hearing it for the first time at a friend's party. I had never heard anything like it before. The 3 song sequence of 'Shades of Time-Savor-Jingo' just blew me away especially when 'Savor' faded out as 'Jingo' faded in with the dark and brooding drum sequence first and then Santana's piercing guitar. I only got the remastered CD of this recently and forgot how many really good songs are on here - some that you can't get on the greatest hits CD's. Notable are 'Waiting' and 'Treat' and the already mentioned 3 song set. So, added with the classics of 'Evil Ways' and 'Soul Sacrifice' there are at least 7 great songs out of the original 9-song set. And the other 2 are very good.

Unlike most of the other reviewers, I'm not a huge fan of 'Soul Sacrifice' - don't get me wrong I like it, but it's just not a song I'd listen to over and over.

Highly recommended. I think ABRAXAS is a little better but this first LP was so raw, so amazingly dark for 1969, that it should be in any Santana fan's collection (just for 'Treat' alone). The remastering is excellent and the bonus tracks are a good addition. I'm glad to have the nearly 12 minute Woodstock version of 'Soul Sacrifice' for history's sake but the 7 minute studio version is long enough for me!

Hard to believe this LP came out the same year as Led Zep I & II, The Who's TOMMY,Crosby, Stills and Nash's first, the Beatles ABBEY ROAD, CCR's BAYOU COUNTRY, WILLY AND THE POOR BOYS and GREEN RIVER, Dylan's NASHVILLE SKYLINE and the Stones LET IT BLEED. Wow, what a year. February 24, 2008

Are you sure you may do without of this album?

With this album, Santana ignited the stages materializing a dreamy project that previously had nestled in the minds of Tito Puente and Carl Tjader, which was to blend with supreme perfection an old desire, the best of the Latin music, the seductive African rhythm and enrooting with basic principles of the jazz; the result was an album whose resonance has widely overcome the test of time to become since the days of its immediate classic. Since the first time I listened it, I perceived it by intuition, so after thirty seven years elapsed, this recording has wrought its own landmark and enviable place among the famous status of cult recordings.
January 30, 2008

The Best Santana Ever!

Wow! I remember hearing Santana when I was in high school. A fellow freshman played Treat on the piano for me one day and I was blown away. Then later I saw the band play in the movie Woodstock and I was mesmerized by the fantastic latin grooves and Carlos Santanta's blistering guitar, not to mention the teenage drum prodigy of Michael Shrieve. This is Carlos Santana at his very best without stooping to enlisting the latest brand name pop stars of the period. Viva La Santana - Ciao November 20, 2007

Santana's First Album is Well Worth It

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". March 14, 2007

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