Album Information:
Album ID: 9626
About Santana:
Santana is a world-renowned Mexican-American musician, songwriter, and artist who is perhaps best known for his unique blend of blues, rock, and Latin American music. Carlos Santana was born on July 20, 1947, in Autlán de Navarro, a small town in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. He moved with his family to Tijuana, Mexico, and later to San Francisco, California in his youth.
Santana has been making music since the 1960s, when he formed the band Santana with fellow musicians Gregg Rolie, David Brown, and Michael Shrieve. The band made their debut at the Fillmore West in San Francisco in 1968. They quickly gained attention for their distinctive sound, which blended elements of rock, jazz, and the traditional music of Santana's Mexican heritage.
Their debut album, 'Santana,' released in 1969, was a groundbreaking success, featuring the hit singles 'Evil Ways' and 'Jingo.' The album stayed on the Billboard charts for over 2 years, selling over 2 million copies. Over the years, Santana's music has influenced generations of artists and helped to shape the sound of modern rock music.
Santana has continued to perform and record music throughout his career, both as a solo artist and as part of different bands. He has collaborated with an array of artists across genres, including Rob Thomas, Michelle Branch, Everlast, and Wyclef Jean, among others.
Some of his most famous and successful hits include 'Oye Como Va,' 'Black Magic Woman,' and 'Smooth,' which he recorded with Rob Thomas and won him multiple Grammy awards.
Beyond his role as a musician and artist, Santana is known for his philanthropy and activism. He is a strong advocate for social justice and has worked with organizations such as The Milagro Foundation, which he founded in 1998 to aid underprivileged children worldwide.
In 2013, Santana became a Kennedy Center Honoree, an honor given to those who have made significant contributions to American culture. His music continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world, cementing his place as a legend in the music industry.
About the album Abraxas:
Abraxas, released in 1970, is the second studio album by the Latin rock band Santana. The album features a fusion of rock, jazz, and Latin American music, showcasing the band's signature sound and virtuosic musicianship.
The album starts with the iconic track 'Singing Winds, Crying Beasts,' featuring the hypnotic sound of Carlos Santana's guitar and the percussive rhythms of the band. This sets the tone for the album, exploring different musical styles and moods.
'Black Magic Woman' is the next track, which became one of Santana's biggest hits. The song features a sultry guitar riff and intense vocals by Gregg Rolie, while the percussion and piano add to the song's hypnotic groove.
'Oye Como Va' is another standout track, featuring a catchy melody and irresistible rhythm. The song was originally written by Tito Puente and was covered by Santana, becoming one of their most recognizable songs.
One of the most experimental tracks on the album is 'Incident at Neshabur,' which features a fusion of jazz and Latin American music. The song starts with a mellow acoustic guitar and gradually builds to a climactic jam session, showcasing the band's impressive improvisation skills.
The album ends with 'Samba Pa Ti,' a beautiful instrumental track featuring Carlos Santana's soulful guitar playing. The song is a showcase of the band's ability to blend different styles and create a unique sound that became the trademark of their music.
Overall, Abraxas is a masterpiece that solidified Santana's status as one of the greatest Latin rock bands of all time. The album continues to be a classic and a must-listen for music fans of all genres.
Members:
Carlos Santana - Born on July 20, 1947, in Autlán de Navarro, Mexico, Carlos Santana started playing the guitar at a young age. He formed his first band, the Santana Blues Band, in 1966, and by 1969, the band had released their debut album, 'Santana.' Santana's distinctive guitar style, which blended rock, blues, and Latin music, quickly gained him widespread attention and critical acclaim.
Gregg Rolie - Born on June 17, 1947, in Seattle, Washington, Gregg Rolie was the co-founder and original lead vocalist of Santana. He was also a keyboardist, playing Hammond organ, electric piano, and other instruments. Rolie co-wrote many of Santana's early hits, including 'Black Magic Woman' and 'Evil Ways.'
Jose 'Chepito' Areas - Born on July 25, 1946, in Leon, Nicaragua, Chepito Areas was the percussionist for Santana. Areas played a variety of instruments, including timbales, congas, and bongos, and was known for his high-energy performances.
Michael Carabello - Born on November 18, 1947, in San Francisco, California, Michael Carabello was the other percussionist for Santana. He played congas and other Latin percussion instruments and was a key contributor to the band's distinctive sound.
Mike Shrieve - Born on July 6, 1949, in San Francisco, California, Mike Shrieve was the drummer for Santana. Shrieve was only 19 when he joined the band and was already a seasoned musician with a strong jazz background. His dynamic, powerful drumming style was a key element of the band's sound.
David Brown - Born on February 15, 1947, in New York, David Brown was the bassist for Santana. Brown was a self-taught musician who joined the band in 1966 and played on all of their early albums.
Other notable members of Santana included Neal Schon, who played lead guitar on several of the band's albums in the 1970s, and Armando Peraza, who was a percussionist with the band for many years.
Track List for Abraxas:
Sure, here are the tracks in the album Abraxas by Santana in order, along with their play times and a brief description of each:
1. 'Singing Winds, Crying Beasts' (4:51) - This instrumental track features a slow, atmospheric intro before building into a more uptempo Latin-infused groove with guitar and percussion.
2. 'Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen' (5:24) - One of Santana's most famous hits, this track begins with a slow, bluesy rendition of 'Black Magic Woman' before transitioning into the more upbeat 'Gypsy Queen' with electrifying guitar solos and infectious Latin rhythms.
3. 'Oye Como Va' (4:18) - Another iconic Santana track that has become a standard of Latin rock, 'Oye Como Va' features Santana's virtuosic guitar work and a catchy melody that is impossible not to dance to.
4. 'Incident at Neshabur' (5:02) - This instrumental track opens with a haunting, almost meditative guitar melody before building into a more explosive Latin rock groove.
5. 'Se a Cabo' (2:50) - A short, upbeat instrumental track that features rapid-fire percussion and Santana's signature guitar sound.
6. 'Mother's Daughter' (4:28) - This bluesy track features some of Carlos Santana's most soulful guitar playing and powerful vocals from singer Gregg Rolie.
7. 'Samba Pa Ti' (4:46) - One of the album's most beautiful tracks, 'Samba Pa Ti' is a slow, introspective instrumental ballad that showcases Santana's lyrical guitar playing and emotional depth.
8. 'Hope You're Feeling Better' (4:07) - An uptempo rock track with funky basslines and catchy horns, 'Hope You're Feeling Better' features more great guitar work from Santana and powerful vocals from Rolie.
9. 'El Nicoya' (1:32) - Another short instrumental track, 'El Nicoya' features percussive rhythms and a frenetic guitar solo.
Overall, Abraxas showcases Santana's incredible ability to combine rock, blues, jazz, and Latin rhythms into a unique and irresistible sound that still holds up today.
Discography for Santana:
Sure, here's the complete discography for Santana in chronological order:
Albums:
1. Santana (1969)
2. Abraxas (1970)
3. Santana III (1971)
4. Caravanserai (1972)
5. Welcome (1973)
6. Borboletta (1974)
7. Amigos (1976)
8. Festival (1977)
9. Moonflower (1977)
10. Inner Secrets (1978)
11. Marathon (1979)
12. Zebop! (1981)
13. Shangó (1982)
14. Beyond Appearances (1985)
15. Freedom (1987)
16. Spirits Dancing in the Flesh (1990)
17. Milagro (1992)
18. Sacred Fire: Live in South America (1993)
19. Santana Brothers (1994)
20. Supernatural (1999)
21. Shaman (2002)
22. All That I Am (2005)
23. Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time (2010)
24. Shape Shifter (2012)
25. Corazón (2014)
26. Santana IV (2016)
27. Power of Peace (2017)
Singles:
1. 'Jingo' (1969)
2. 'Evil Ways' (1969)
3. 'Black Magic Woman' (1970)
4. 'Oye Como Va' (1971)
5. 'Everybody's Everything' (1971)
6. 'No One to Depend On' (1972)
7. 'Hold On' (1973)
8. 'Samba Pa Ti' (1973)
9. 'Let It Shine' (1974)
10. 'Dance, Sister, Dance (Baila Mi Hermana)' (1976)
11. 'Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)' (1976)
12. 'She's Not There' (1977)
13. 'Stormy' (1978)
14. 'You Know That I Love You' (1980)
15. 'Winning' (1981)
16. 'Hold On' (1982)
17. 'Say It Again' (1985)
18. 'Veracruz' (1987)
19. 'Love Is You' (1988)
20. 'Smooth' (1999)
21. 'Maria Maria' (2000)
22. 'The Game of Love' (2002)
23. 'Why Don't You & I' (2003)
24. 'Just Feel Better' (2006)
25. 'Cry Baby Cry' (2008)
Other Releases:
1. Live at the Fillmore '68 (1997)
2. Carlos Santana & Buddy Miles! Live! (1972)
3. Caravanserai / Welcome (2003)
4. The Essential Santana (2002)
5. The Woodstock Experience (2009)
6. Ultimate Santana (2007)
Note: This list includes all of Santana's major albums, singles, and other notable releases. However, it may not include every single release or minor variant of certain albums or singles.