Customer Reviews

Rain Dance-Live

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For fans of Santana and Gregg Rolie this is an immediate crowd pleaser. This album gets you going from the opening track 'Jingo' and keeps you going through all 12 tracks. Gregg and band do a spectacular job with all the songs and you won't be disappointed. While Gregg has released solo efforts through the years, his most notable effort came in the form of the band Journey. But after he left and adventured out with 'The Storm' the premise of this album is where Gregg shines and with prior solo releases is where he has tried to stay at. A much under appreciated vocalist and keyboard player he rocks out on this live release. I still consider his work with Journey some of the band's best music, regardless of popular opinion. Their first three albums, musically are far superior to future releases with the exception of 'Infinity' where the album was mostly written before Perry came on board. Gregg Rolie has a unique voice and I was happy to see a live release from him with solo and Santana hits. Maybe he is an acquired taste, but once you listen you do get hooked.

Having seen GRB live a couple of times, I have to say that this CD is the next best thing to being there. This group is so tight musically that you would think that the album had been done in a studio, but no, this is a live performance. Normally I do not care for live albums because the sound quality and distractions from the crowds ruin it, but not here. You will LOVE this album!

I've been a Gregg Rolie Band fan since I saw him live back 2002! This one has been a LONG time coming, since his last effort is from 2001 (Roots). I immediately came here when I saw this release on Gregg's website, for $8.99 it's a steal. They are one great live band, and should not be missed, if they're in your area. They bill themselves as "Santana Live! - the way you remember it", that about sums it up here! This is also an excellent way to jam out to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, seeing two members of GRB actually played there! I've heard this is from a 2007 show from Sturgis, and even better news, that it will be released on DVD as well. Do yourself a favor, and buy that, too! You will NOT be disappointed!

This CD is indeed a document of a very good thing...Gregg Rolie, touring and playing his great music to audience of the post-nuclear dawn of creation.
BUT
It could have been so much better than what we have here documented on this disc.

Flaw number one: Gregg is singing great and has a crack band behind him performing this music to a crowd that is indeed really happy to experience this event. Alphonso Johnson, (often seen with Carlos Santana) is amazing as one of the greats on bass guitar. Michael Carebello, Adrian Areas and Ron Wikso find the punch and awesome power needed to fire the engine room in proper Santana Band style and flow. Wally Minko adds to the sound of the keyboards that when added to what Gregg is playing really fill-out the sound of this music. At last we arrive to Kurt Griffey the guitar player found in this band. Kurt, is a fine player and adds his own style to this band but, he is the weak link found here on: "Rain Dance-Live" as we are already hearing what Carlos and/or Neal Schon would be playing here in his place and that would be at least a few notches above Kurt's abilities as he cannot compete with those two masters.

Flaw number two: Gregg has been locked into his days of fame with the Santana band between 1969 through 1972 and about half of the music found here dates from that small window of Gregg's musicial career. There are three Journey albums from 1975-1977: "Journey" "Look Into The Future" and "Next" that contain some dynamite material that would be most welcome additions here and the fans are screaming to hear this segment of Gregg's music it would be a giant plus to have them here as a part of this set. It is indeed good to see some of Gregg's solo material being a part of this but, the songs from pre-Perry Journey need to be revisited to show the world just how great they are. there is much more to Gregg Rolie than another take of: "Black Magic Woman."

Again, a revised set list and the addition of Neal Schon (found on the amazing record "Abraxas Pool") would really fire up: "Rain Dance-Live" to the five-stars it could and should be. Better than purchasing this disc would be attending a show from the Gregg Rolie Band and supporting him wherever he is to be playing next. This artist hasn't gotten his due as one of the greats from the magic that was the San Francisco music scene of the 1960's and 70's. This is a good disc but it could have been something much bigger and better.
Three Stars

Excellent afro-cuban arrangements (Evil Ways, Oye Como Va). Lots of percussion and captivating organ solos.
Aside from his '69 partner Carlos Santana, Gregg Rolle and his band are the soul of this music.
Listen to the tracks then pick up your guitar, bass or sit down at your keyboards and get into the groove.

I have always maintained that the first three Santana Albums were the best of the band's long and varied offerings. As far as I am concerned they rank one Abraxas, two Santana(3),and three Santana(1). Number four is the CD Abraxas Pool. Yes I know number four is not a Santana effort technically; however musically it is the long awaited fourth album that we fans of the early Santana band waited for and anticipated as what we got was long line of jazz fusion, top forty pop, and collaborations that marked the balance of Carlos Santana's career. Good as they were: something was just not there. At one time we had Santana Albums and we had Carlos Santana Albums and there was a difference. That distinction got lost and now Santana the band is Santana the man.

Please don't get me wrong I am a Santana fan but the first three albums vs the rest were no comparison as far as I was concerned and I longed for the band that gave us those sounds. Abraxas Pool gave me that long awaited return to that sound. Mostly new material it was the Santana Album I had anticipated even though Carlos was not a part of the group. I realized then what was missing from the group Santana - GREG ROLIE!

This live CD, not by Santana, not by Abraxas Pool, but by the Greg Rolie Band is final proof that although Carlos is still one of the best guitarists in the world and, in my opinion,peerless,it is Greg Rolie who is the driving force behind the music I love.

Kurt Griffey is no Carlos Santana, neither is he Neal Schon, but he is VERY good as is the rest of this band. This is the music I love sung by the voice who epitomizes it.This is the voice of Santana the way you remember it, the way it was meant to be, the way I love it.

Long live Greg Rolie, the most under rated rock and roll star!

The cd Rain Dance Live by the Greg Rolie Band has got to make it into anyones collection of greatest cds of all time. From the first track to the last its soul moving and reviting. The amount of blood sweat and tears the band puts out at every concert is acctualy captured on plastic. Close your eyes and bingo, your in the front row of the concert that forever changes you idea of that special concert that you wanted to keep in your memory bank. You know can have that memory every time you play it.

BUT THIS............NOW!!!! GREGG'S VOICE IS SMOOTH, HAMMOND B3 ORGAN ON FIRE, CURT GRIFFEY'S GUITAR WILL MAKE YOU SAY.....SANTANA......WHO????..........THE PERCUSSION IS TOP RATE .........IF YOU LOVED SANTANA......BUY THIS..........PLUS....YOU GET AN UPDATED VERSION OF CLASSICS LIVE.....ALONG WITH SWEET SOLO MATERIAL................"GIVE IT TO ME".....TURN IT UP

SIRGARYNEWTON

Gergg Rolie has always been the voice of "The Santana sound" & The creative force behind Journey (Long before Steve Perry took the limelight.)A very strong pedigree: Michael Carabello (congas) late of Santana, Jazz journeyman Alphonso Johnson (Bass) with a discography that reads like a who's who of fusion, sprinkle in Wally Minko (keyboards)veteran of Jean-Luc Ponty and veteran players, Ron Wikso (drums), Adrian Areas (timbalas) and an absolutely stellar unknown guitarist Kurt Griffey and you have a live killer lineup that rips the roof off the venue. I read that it was recorded at Sturgis and released in 2009, you will not find a better live example of the "classic Santana sound" anywhere, (and I mean anywhere). I was a bit reluctant when I saw this. As often these retro / repackaging bands have a tendency to fall way short of expectations, (especially when you've got huge shoes to fill). That is Not the case here. These cats rip it up and leave you wanting for more, lots more! An absolutely brilliant performance, tight, smokin' hot and a steal at whatever price you can find it at. I cannot give this a high enough rating. Gregg still has the pipes and this is an amazing band. Do yourself a favor & grab this up. It is wonderful..... and PLAY IT LOUD!

Smokin Hot!!! Rolie Band at their best. I was lucky enough to get to see them if you get the chance GO!!. This is a must for any fan of Gregg Rolie and/or the Santana sound genre. My only complaint, should have had about 600 more hours of music. Keith.