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36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Santana Mix of Old and New, October 10, 2004
Did you know that Santana's 1999 smash succes "Supernatural" was his first million-seller since 1977's "Moonflower"? And there is a good reason for it. The original double vinyl album mixed up new studio tracks with live versions of older nuggets, and works spendidly.
"Moonflower" (2 CDS, 19 tracks, 97 min.) became a mega-seller primarily due to the (unexpected) succes of its lead-off single, a Latinized cover of the Zombies' "She's Not There". Other singles followed, including "I'll Be Waiting", and "Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)", a beautiful 'Samba Pa Ti'-like instrumental with awesome guitar solos from Santana (it was a HUGE hit in Europe, where I grew up). But there are many other nuggets, such as "Flor d'Luna (Moonflower), another beautiful instrumental. The live tracks are pretty darn good too, including the "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen" medley, and the 14 min. blowout "Soul Sacrifice/Head, Hands & Feet", outstanding!
This remastered edition, in addition to the superb sound, adds the single versions of "She's Not There", "I'll Be Waiting" and "Black Magic Woman". In all, "Moonflower" is a terrific album all around. Notwithstanding the mega-succes of "Supernatural", I wish that Santana would go back to the well of the sound of the older days, documented so well on "Moonflower".
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Essential Santana CD, March 16, 2004
As a guitar player myself, I have admired the chops of Carlos Santana (despite the fact that his solos tend to get repetitive over time) and his band members. This CD includes many live tracks, and it is the best documentation of the power and passion of this distinctive ensemble band. If I had to choose just one Santana CD to own, this would be the one.The latin rock rhythm section is tight throughout, and Greg Walker's vocals are engagingly soulful. But for most fans, the highlights are Carlos Santana's wailing guitar solos. Like other great lead guitarists, Santana gives his instrument the emotional feel and complexity of the human voice. His solo on the live version of "Black Magic Woman" screams with passion, while his solo on the live version of "Europa" drips with regret. In addition to Carlos Santana's work, one of the highlights of this CD is a brilliant keyboard solo by Tom Coster on the live track "Dance Sister Dance." The musicianship of all the members of the band makes this an impressive and satisfying experience for musicians and casual fans alike.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Santana's finest album, September 13, 2005
Moonflower is mix of revisited older songs, some new material, and live tracks.
I listened to it first when I was 16 - when the cover "She's Not There" was in the charts, and now, over 20 years later I still play it regularly. At the time though I was blown away by one particular track-the live rendition of Europa(Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile). You'll find the original studio recording of Europa on the Amigos album; and a weak and flacid thing it is. Put it this way; I have a "Carlos Santana" guitar tablature book, featuring Europa, and after 6 months I'd managed to play the instrumental note-for-note, just in the same way as played on Amigo's.
I can forget trying to play it the same way Carlos played in live. I don't think it can be done, even by a top studio musician.
The live tracks, together with the revisited studio numbers take on a different hue altogether on Moonflower. Wait until the neighbours are out, turn the volume right up and...well, how can I describe it? Prepare to be amazed.
The first thing that hits you is the speed of the numbers - the tempo increases markedly for most of them; nice easy blues/latin tracks become out-and-out heavy rock epics. The second thing that gets you is Carlos's guitar tone. It's not the weedy, processed sound you get now (I do wish he had never met Paul Reed Smith!) but rather a deep, huge tone extracted from his Yamaha. The sound produced is huge, and glorious to listen to. The third thing is the dynamics of Carlos's playing. With the gain and volume up, feedback is readily available, and he uses it to sustain notes seemingly forever (Europa). Grace notes (and chords!) abound everywhere. He's eager to solo, almost impatient for the superb Tom Costa to finish his bit. The other musicians contribute just as much - providing a confident base for Santana to go off on wild flights of solo melodies. Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen is transformed into a powerful beast with pace and the melodies that the original recording just hinted-at. Let The Children play benefits from a huge increase in well, how can it be put? Joy. That'll be the word. Dance Sister Dance has one of the most infectious riffs your likely to hear. I'll be Waiting has a platinum-pure solo. And Europa? Well, it's just perfect. Scary (how could someone write and play something that good) hugely melodic, with a sonic landscape that is unforgettable. The contrast with the Amigos version is just ridiculous - the live version is the one to remember, packed full of sustain and feedback and pace - my God pace, with legato passages that are simply incredible.
There's no other Santana album like Moonflower. It was the perfect combination of a superb band, great songs, both new and old, high production values and of course Carlos at his magical best. I can't listen to his "recent" material, featuring guests of marketable value but questionable talent. 2005 will apparently see a "Latin-style" Santana album released amongst others. Although the fingers are slower, I'd love to see him ditch the PRS's and wipe the dust off the old SG2000 and give his newer fans a brief insight into Santana music that could send shivers down your back.
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