Customer Reviews

Carlos Santana & Buddy Miles: Live!

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

For those who love the tradional Santana and are acquainted with the deep-hearted rythm and blues of Buddy Miles this recording represents the combined talents and exhausting efforts of these two great artists into one exhilirating, energized hour of music. The quality of the recording is phenominal; an acoustic adventure at best - I actually wore out my first album.

There seem to be all sorts of urban legends surrounding this 1972 Top Ten album from Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles. Some people claim that the concert never took place, which seems unlikely since Santana and Miles toured together extensively in late 1971 and early 1972. Others suggest that Carlos played little on the disc, and while I respect the six-string talents of Neal Schon (who legend also says turned down an invitation from Eric Clapton to flesh out Derek and the Dominos to play with Santana's band, and who built a great reputation for himself as lead guitarist for Journey), there are numerous guitar runs on 'Live!' that have S-A-N-T-A-N-A written all over them. I think many of the myth-makers are deluded by the overly-engineered master tapes. It was common practice in the early seventies to modulate the amplitude of the crowd noise, as is evident on programs such as ABC-TV's 'In Concert' late night program, and this seems to be what was done with 'Live!'. While it sounds hokey at times, that doesn't mean the performances didn't happen.

Perhaps also lending to the controversy is the liner notes listing the recording date as "January 0, 1972", a non-existant date, suggesting the concert never happened. But the concert actually took place in Hawaii, in the center of the Diamond Head volcanic crater, on January 1, 1972 during the 'Sunshine '72 Festival'. Supporting that fact is a collage of about fourteen photographs from the concert itself. I can see Carlos playing guitar in several of them, and there's a number of Hawaiian-looking people standing around as well. That's proof enough for me. I guess this one doesn't rise to the level of the McCartney death hoax!

Fortunately, the music does rise to the occasion. I first acquired a copy of this disc as one of my 12 "free" records when I joined the Columbia Record Club. I wasn't sure if I would like it, but in 1972 most people were convinced you couldn't go wrong with Carlos Santana, and I was one of them. I wasn't disappointed. While it may take a little time and a few listens for the 25 minute plus 'Free Form Funkafide Filth' to grow on you... it does. I'm not sure how 'free form' this filth is (it's credited to Miles, Santana, drummer Gregg Errico, and bassist Ron Johnson), but it manages to hit a funk groove on several occasions and passes the ample running time (especially for a vinyl disc) admirably.

The real gem, however, is side one. While the track listing lists five seperate tracks, tracks one and two ('Marbles' and 'Lava') and tracks four and five ('Faith Interlude' and Mile's best known composition, 'Them Changes') segue seamlessly into one another, creating a musical suite. Only an upbeat, horn augmented version of 'Evil Ways' stands alone, almost as a centerpiece. All of these tracks, save 'Faith Interlude', which is perfectly titled given it's bouyant strains, are funky tomes of dynamite. Robert Hogins on organ and Coke Escovedo on timbales, along with a trio of conga players, do yoeman's work keeping up with Santana, Schon, and Miles. Over the years these tracks have merged in my mind, and belong together as one piece of work every bit as much as the flip side of the original vinyl disc.

This is at least the third time this disc has been reissued, having been remastered in 1994 and reissued in 2005. The pressed copies of the 2005 release must have gone quickly, explaining the need for this 2008 reissue. Sadly, no additional tracks have ever been added to any of the reissues, suggesting that no additional quality recordings from the concert exist. That's a little hard to believe, but what else could explain it? If additional material comparable to what is being offered here is ever released, criminal negligence charges should be levied against Bob Irwin, the "Reissue Producer", for keeping it under wraps for so long. Regardless, your classic rock collection isn't complete without this one.

I purchased Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles Live on eight track tape in 1972 when it was first released, and I still consider it my favorite live music album (I now own the CD version). The brass sound that was popular in the early 1970's adds energy and pop to this live recording. I first heard the fast version of Evil Ways on this CD, and I still prefer it to the slower studio recording that is on the Santana Greatest Hits album. In fact, the first five cuts on this live CD are a wild ride. If I have a possible complaint about Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles live, it would be that it is too short. This is a foot pounding, energy induced, live album, and if you like Carlos Santana's music give it a listen.

I, like many others burned out the wax and then the tape. I am so glad that this has been put to disc. I like the up beat tempo of Evil Ways and Them Changes. Also the jazzy solos of Hadley Caliman (sax) and Luis Gasca (Trumpet) were a pure joy to listen to. Anyone who is a fan of Buddy Miles or Carlos Santana should enjoy this album.

Forget "Supernatural!" Carlos needed the money!

This is the real Santana!

I picked this album up in the '70's, when the "Quadraphonic" sound (four speakers creating a "surround sound" effect) was all the rage.

The Neal Schon solo on the cut, "Marbles" IMO, ranks with Jimi as far as sheer energy is involved.

And what can I say about Carlos...His playing reached another plane! It wasnt about effects back then, it was about projecting energy, and Carlos did it better than anyone.

I first heard it in 1972 at the age of 16 and it was an awakening. The music is true. It's pure. What a joy. I wish I had been there. The best live album of all time.

Santana and Buddy Miles toured the US from December 1971 till April 1972.The resulting live album contained both Santana and Buddy Miles hits, plus a full 25 minute great jam.
This is perhaps not the live album Santana fans expected, however the album sold over a million copy and went into the Top Ten of that year.
This is a great album. Highly recommended, and very different from any other material Santana ever released.
If you like this album, try as well another Santana album called: Caravanserai.

If you don't own this, I'll tell you now- buy it! This is perhaps the ultimate jam album (I'm not kidding) and its at single album price! Recorded in an extinct Hawaiian volcano it is as mind-blowing as the concert site. One of my best friends' brother-in-laws was stationed at Pearl Harbor in '72 and was actually at this show- he still can't quite describe it- you get the idea.
I've seen Santana near 30 times live (including once with Buddy Miles in the mid-80s) but none of it touches what he does on this recording. The accompanying brass and flutes on this record take the sound to a whole other level and Carlos plays with a fury that is unmatched on his other stuff- which I own all of. Absolutely not to be missed!
Best,
Rick D

WOW!!! Every song on this album is so cool and so awesome! Neal Schon really goes off on every song, it leaves you asking, Carlos who? I don't know why the album is called Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles, when the Santana band was there too, minus a few members.
Anyway, this album Rocks! Buddy Miles's vocals match so perfectly in this record. The live version of Evil Ways kills the album version, and Them Canges is the best song on the album.
This is the last record of the classic Santana sound. Caravanserai would be released a little later in the year, starting a period of jazz fusion sound. So for a parting shot, you can't get any better than this. The last song of the album is really long, but it sure as hell isn't boring. It's exciting all the way through, right to the very end.
So if you're in the mood for the best live CD there ever was, and for great Funk, Afro-Cuban/Rock jams, BUY THIS CD!!!!!!!

I still remember the first time I heard this. It knocked me out. Carlos at his peak, Neal Schon and Greg Rollie sounding fantastic and Buddy Miles at the absolute zenith of his career.
All of this LIVE! Get it, listen to it. You won't be sorry.