Album Information:

About Santana:

Santana is a legendary guitarist and songwriter, born on July 20, 1947, in Autlán de Navarro, Mexico, as Carlos Augusto Alves Santana. He is widely recognized for his fusion of Latin, rock, blues, and jazz music style.

Carlos Santana moved to San Francisco at the age of 21, where he formed his first band, 'Santana Blues Band' with his fellow musicians. Soon they renamed it as just 'Santana,' and in 1969, they released their self-titled debut album. The album was a massive success and reached the #4 spot on the US Billboard 200 chart. It went on to become one of the best-selling and iconic albums of the era that introduced the world to the exciting new sound known as 'Latin rock.'

In 1970, Santana took the stage at the famous Woodstock festival with drummer Michael Shrieve, bassist David Brown, percussionist Jose 'Chepito' Areas, and vocalist and keyboardist Gregg Rolie. Their electrifying performance made them one of the most popular rock bands of the decade.

Santana has released a total of 25 studio albums to date, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. He has been awarded ten Grammy Awards, three Latin Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

Santana has collaborated with several famous artists, such as Rob Thomas, Chad Kroeger, Michelle Branch, and many more. He has also been involved in various philanthropic activities and charities, such as the Milagro Foundation, which he founded in 1998 to help the underprivileged children worldwide.

In conclusion, Santana's unique blend of musical genres and his passionate guitar playing has made him one of the greatest and influential guitarists of our time. With his chart-topping hits and successful collaborations, Santana has etched his name in the music industry forever.

About the album Moonflower:

Moonflower is a double album by the legendary Latin rock band, Santana. Released in 1977, it features a compilation of live performances and studio recordings from various concerts and sessions across 1976 and 1977. The album showcases the group's eclectic blend of rock, blues, jazz and Latin rhythms with a lineup that includes Carlos Santana on guitar, Tom Coster on keyboards, and Carlos' brother Jorge Santana on percussion.

The first half of the album features live performances recorded at the Budokan in Tokyo. The band ignites the stage with a high-energy performance, including hits such as 'Black Magic Woman' and 'Oye Como Va.' The opening track 'Dawn/Go Within' starts with a beautiful acoustic guitar melody, leading into a powerful instrumental build-up featuring a mesmerizing keyboard solo by Tom Coster. Other stand-out tracks include 'Carnaval/Let The Children Play' and 'Zulu,' which showcase the band's mastery of percussion and layering of multiple rhythmic elements.

The second half of the album features studio recordings, including collaborations with other musicians such as Tower of Power and vocalist Greg Walker. The first studio track, 'She's Not There,' brings in a fresh yet soulful sound to the album while 'Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)' highlights Carlos Santana's virtuosity on guitar. The album closes with 'Flor d'Luna (Moonflower)' – a beautiful and peaceful instrumental masterpiece that takes listeners on a dreamy journey through Carlos Santana's musical vision.

Overall, Moonflower is a testament to Santana's immense talent and revolutionary sound in the world of rock music. They blend their signature Latin-infused sound with a diverse range of musical influences and displays their impeccable musicianship on an album that is both captivating and timeless.

Members:

Santana is an American Latin rock band formed in San Francisco in 1966. The band is famous for blending elements of Latin American music, rock, jazz, and blues into a unique, signature sound. Here are the key members of Santana:

1. Carlos Santana - the founder and lead guitarist of Santana. Carlos was born on July 20, 1947, in Autlán de Navarro, Mexico. He moved to San Francisco in the 1960s and formed the band Santana with some of his musician friends. Carlos is known for his signature guitar sound and has been described as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He has won 10 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

2. Gregg Rolie - the co-founder, keyboardist, and lead vocalist of Santana. Gregg was born on June 17, 1947, in Seattle, Washington. He played with Carlos Santana in various bands before they formed Santana in 1966. Gregg played an important role in shaping the band's sound and co-wrote several of their hit songs, including 'Black Magic Woman' and 'Oye Como Va.' Gregg left Santana in 1972 to form his own band, Journey.

3. Michael Carabello - the original percussionist of Santana. Michael was born on November 18, 1947, in San Francisco. He played congas and other percussion instruments in the band and was known for his energetic stage presence. Michael left Santana in 1971 but rejoined the band in 1987 and has been a part of several of their reunion tours.

4. José 'Chepito' Areas - the original timbales player of Santana. Chepito was born on July 25, 1946, in León, Nicaragua. He played with Carlos Santana in various groups before joining Santana in 1966. Chepito's distinctive timbales sound helped define Santana's early sound. He left the band in 1977 but has played with them on several reunion tours.

5. David Brown - the original bassist of Santana. David was born on February 15, 1947, in New York City. He joined Santana in 1966 and played on their first three albums, including their breakthrough album, 'Abraxas.' David's driving bass lines helped anchor the band's music. He left Santana in 1971 and died in 2000.

6. Michael Shrieve - the drummer of Santana. Michael was born on July 6, 1949, in San Francisco. He joined Santana in 1969 and played on their seminal album, 'Abraxas.' Michael's powerful drumming helped drive the band's sound. He left Santana in 1974 but has played on several reunion tours.

These key members of Santana played an important role in shaping the band's sound and legacy. Their music has had a lasting impact on the world of rock and roll and continues to inspire generations of musicians.

Track List for Moonflower:

Sure, here are all the tracks on the album Moonflower by Santana, in order with their play times and descriptions:

1. 'Dawn/Go Within' - 2:44/2:44
The first track on the album is actually two tracks blended together. 'Dawn' is a short instrumental piece featuring Carlos Santana playing acoustic guitar, while 'Go Within' is a longer piece with a spoken-word meditation by Sri Chinmoy over a background of atmospheric textures.

2. 'Carnaval' - 2:15
This upbeat instrumental is a celebration of the joy and energy of carnival, with Santana's guitar leading the way over a Latin-influenced groove.

3. 'Let the Children Play' - 3:28
This sunny, optimistic song showcases Santana's melodic guitar work and the band's smooth harmonies, as they sing about the importance of letting kids be themselves.

4. 'Jugando' - 2:12
Another instrumental piece, 'Jugando' (Spanish for 'playing') features Santana's guitar and keyboardist Tom Coster trading melodic lines over a Latin-tinged rhythm.

5. 'I'll Be Waiting' - 5:20
This soulful ballad features singer Greg Walker, as he sings about patiently waiting for a lover to return while Santana's guitar weaves around him with sensitivity and emotion.

6. 'Zulu' - 3:24
'Zulu' is a lively instrumental track that features Santana's guitar and percussionist Armando Peraza trading solos over a driving beat.

7. 'Bahia' - 1:38
Like 'Dawn/Go Within,' 'Bahia' is a short instrumental interlude, this time featuring Santana playing a delicate acoustic guitar melody over a soft keyboard accompaniment.

8. 'Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen' - 6:31
One of Santana's most famous songs, 'Black Magic Woman' is a sultry blues tune with a Latin twist, featuring singer Greg Walker delivering the lyrics with smoky intensity. The song seamlessly transitions into 'Gypsy Queen,' another Latin-influenced instrumental that showcases the band's rhythmic prowess.

9. 'Dance Sister Dance (Baila Mi Hermana)' - 8:15
This grooving track features a funky bassline and a catchy vocal melody, as singer Leon Patillo encourages listeners to get up and dance. Santana's guitar work is particularly impressive, as he weaves in and out of the song's structure with fluidity and flair.

10. 'Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)' - 5:05
One of Santana's most iconic instrumentals, 'Europa' is a hauntingly beautiful song that showcases the guitarist's melodic and emotional abilities. The song builds to a soaring climax that is both powerful and deeply moving.

11. 'She's Not There' - 4:09
Santana puts their own spin on the classic Zombies tune, adding Latin rhythms and Carlos' signature guitar work to create a fresh and unique interpretation.

12. 'Flor d'Luna (Moonflower)' - 4:48
This dreamy instrumental track features Santana's guitar floating over a mellow, atmospheric groove, creating an otherworldly sense of beauty and calm.

13. 'Soul Sacrifice/Head Hands & Feet (Drum Solo)' - 13:50
The album closes with a high-energy medley featuring three distinct sections. 'Soul Sacrifice' is a raucous jam that highlights the band's instrumental prowess, while 'Head Hands & Feet' is a percussive showcase featuring Armando Peraza's drumming. The medley ends with a frenzied drum solo that perfectly sums up the energy and passion of Santana's music.

Discography for Santana:

Here is the complete discography for the artist Santana in chronological order:

Albums:
1. Santana (1969) - August 1969
2. Abraxas (1970) - September 1970
3. Santana III (1971) - September 1971
4. Caravanserai (1972) - October 1972
5. Welcome (1973) - November 1973
6. Borboletta (1974) - October 1974
7. Amigos (1976) - March 1976
8. Festival (1977) - January 1977
9. Moonflower (1977) - October 1977
10. Inner Secrets (1978) - October 1978
11. Marathon (1979) - September 1979
12. Zebop! (1981) - April 1981
13. Shango (1982) - August 1982
14. Beyond Appearances (1985) - February 1985
15. Freedom (1987) - February 1987
16. Spirits Dancing in the Flesh (1990) - June 1990
17. Milagro (1992) - March 1992
18. Santana Brothers (1994) - September 1994
19. Supernatural (1999) - June 1999
20. Shaman (2002) - October 2002
21. All That I Am (2005) - November 2005
22. Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time (2010) - September 2010
23. Shape Shifter (2012) - May 2012
24. Corazón (2014) - May 2014
25. Santana IV (2016) - April 2016
26. Power of Peace (2017) - July 2017
27. Africa Speaks (2019) - June 2019

Singles:
1. 'Jingo' (1969) - June 1969
2. 'Evil Ways' (1969) - December 1969
3. 'Black Magic Woman' (1970) - March 1970
4. 'Oye Como Va' (1971) - November 1970
5. 'No One to Depend On' (1971) - April 1971
6. 'Everybody's Everything' (1971) - October 1971
7. 'Love, Devotion & Surrender' (1972) - August 1972
8. 'Let It Shine' (1972) - November 1972
9. 'Mirage' (1974) - March 1974
10. 'Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)' (1976) - November 1976
11. 'She's Not There' (1977) - January 1977
12. 'Winning' (1981) - March 1981
13. 'Hold On' (1982) - September 1982
14. 'Say It Again' (1985) - January 1985
15. 'Veracruz' (1987) - February 1987
16. 'We Don't Have to Wait' (1987) - June 1987
17. 'Smooth' (1999) - June 1999
18. 'Maria Maria' (2000) - March 2000
19. 'The Game of Love' (2002) - September 2002
20. 'Just Feel Better' (2005) - November 2005
21. 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' (featuring India.Arie and Yo-Yo Ma) (2010) - August 2010

Other releases:
1. Live at the Fillmore '68 (1997) - November 1997
2. Santana: The Ultimate Collection (1998) - August 1998
3. The Essential Santana (2002) - October 2002
4. Multi-Dimensional Warrior (2008) - March 2008
5. Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time (Deluxe Edition) (2010) - September 2010
6. Original Album Classics (2012) - March 2012
7. The 70s Studio Album Collection (2014) - September 2014
8. Santana IV: Live at the House of Blues Las Vegas (2016) - October 2016