THE MOST CREATIVE GUITAR PLAYING YEARS FOR CARLOS?

[JEFF MAKOR]

Like anyone who appreciates Carlitos playing over the decades, personal favourite albums and moments in time will be recalled.
I have met Carlos a few times through the years and once told me that he loved 'Lotus' the most.
It's not that Caravanseri or Abraxas didn't hit the spot for him and the rest of those who love this sound, but I tend to agree that the playing on that Japanese recording was sublime.
In fact, technically and flamboyantly more accomplished than at any time since, the Lotus album and any live videos from this halcyon period remain my favourite time for Santana and a must for anyone wishing to know more about this unique talent.
As a post script, I have enjoyed the flashes of brilliance since 1973, but as a musician, my choice will always be coloured by the way people can create and improvise, and as such, those recordings get played a lot!
What's your favourite album/times for santana and why???
shalom
Jeff Makor
x

[Piergiorgio Farisato]

Yes, Lotus is the best jazz-latin-rock fusion. Great guitar solos with a band of great performers. An album to bring to the moon...

[Margarita Cortes]

"Moonflower" is the most romantic and my fav; especially Europa and Flor d' Luna.
I love so many but these touch my heart in a special way!

[Stephen Morris]

Lotus, Santana III, Caravanserai and Abraxas are my favorites in that order.

I include the 3rd album because of the continued movement towards Latin Jazz but mostly because I sensed some spiritual searching going on. Some examples include Taboo, Everything is coming our way and No-one to depend on. Then--of course--there's the incredible exchange that goes on between Carlos' and Neal Schon's guitars, not to mention gems like Guajira and Toussaint L'Ouverture.

I agree with you--Jeff--that Lotus represents a leap in Carlos' technical skills, experimentation and a new-found spiritual and musical passion. As I mentioned in the Caravanserai thread, I have been listening (again) to the opening medley of Lotus over and over again for about two years now and still hear new things almost every time.

I could add Welcome to that list because there is some incredible guitar playing and musical innovation on it as well. This album was probably the most purely jazz-fusion they made and is both under-rated and ahead of its time.

[JEFF MAKOR]

I concur with all you said here, Stephen.
Lotus came out of the blue from a technical standpoint.
Who doesn't love 'Welcome'?
It has swathes of new ground, creativity and was part of a short few years of musical emancipation for Carlos and his changing band.
I am a very harsh critic of some of his recent work, but am glad we have so much great music to look back over in an incredible career and in an industry which gives most 5 years lifespan!
shalom
Jeff

[Stephen Morris]

JEFF MAKOR said:

...an incredible career..in an industry which gives most 5 years lifespan!

This reminds me of what I heard my mom say many times when admiring people she thought great: "He/she has really stood the test of time!"

[Daniel Fonseca]

MOONFLOWER ,although I love all of his work.I,m looking foward to his band the Los Angeles area.Thanx Carlos..your fan 4-ever.DANYOin Montebello 6-25-09 9:10 pm.

[Phillip]

You gotta love it all! Abraxas to Zebop, 1968 to 2009! Gracias mii amigo, for touching my heart through so many songs for so many years. Love you carlos!

[Mike Balitao]

My favorite is lotus abraxas caravarenserai shaman and so on all his music is great it has a lot of emotion and feeling also I like samba pa ti Europa el farol oye como va evil ways black magic woman

[Hector Gilberto]

If we think of creative era studiowise, I think 1972 thru 1978 was when Carlos took more risks, if it comes to creative in terms of sound and live energy, I love what Carlos did live during the 90's up to Supernatural.