334. Santana, "Abraxas"

 


Welp, it sure does sound like Santana, I'll tell you that much.  Santana is one of those bands with an absolutely one-of-a-kind sound.  You know it the second the needle drops, and Carlos Santana's guitar playing is the reason why.  He is an absolutely sui generis guitarist, immediately recognizable.

This album is fine, I guess.  You know "Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Como Va," both covers, incidentally, and even if you don't know the rest of the songs, you'll feel like you do.  It's a pleasant sound, punctuated by sharp percussion and Greg Rolle's rolling Hammond organ.  It feels like a sunny afternoon.  That's about all I have to say.

BUT speaking of Santana, did you know yesterday was "Smooth" Day?  That's right; Santana's monster hit with Rob Thomas was released June 29, 1999.  I can remember the summer of 1999, and that song was everywhere.  It was, in fact, one of the best-selling singles in history, and now Carlos's great-great-grandchildren will never have to work.  Man, it's a hot one.

Does this album deserve to be in the Top 500? No.

Comments

  1. StephenJune 30, 2021 at 3:14 PM

    You may know me as someone who cares not one whit about Santana. Who thinks everything about Carlos Santana is overrated. He's not even a great guitar player, IMO. That said, any album with "Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Como Va," on it is one of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Maybe not one I LIKE, but still great. I know every second of these songs. They are anthems. They - these versions - are all timers. You can't have an album with these two rock fundamentals on it NOT be in the top 500. Hell, it should probably be top 100. Not that I'll ever listen willingly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TKJune 30, 2021 at 3:44 PM

      That is a very compelling point! I may have been too harsh.

      Delete

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