In Praise of Carlos Santana

[László]

I've listened to Carlos' music since I was 18, when the first Santana record was released. I've always loved it, but never really tried to play it on guitar. I was more interested in the keyboard parts on the records at the time.

Oh sure, parts of the longer solo lines aren't complicated. But everything Carlos does is about the feel, and getting the back-and-forth of a flurry of notes against the rhythm right - the way he does - takes mastery of the instrument that I hadn't quite appreciated until I decided to try it earlier in the week. I wrote a tune that more or less called for that style of play.

Listening to Carlos, it all seemed so uncomplicated and easy. I took it for granted that I would be comfortable with it.

Well, not so much.

I have some woodshedding to do!

 

[xjbebop]

Great post...

 

[László]

I found this clip that demonstrates how great Carlos sounds doing his thing, and it also features Eric Clapton, who is a great player, but really feels to me like his style is like oil on water doing this song...by the way, how great does Carlos' PRS sound, especially IMHO vs that Strat doing this style of music?

To my ears, the PRS sounds like butter and syrup on a hot waffle. The Strat is wiry sounding and doesn't seem to fit the vibe. Also dig how Carlos uses the guitar's controls to control feedback.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Dude is so recognizable... in fact anytime I use a tone control on a guitar I can't help but to pretend to be Carlos for a few seconds. I always liked this tune, some of the most melodic psycho-shred ever!

 

[László]

I had it on vinyl and don't know wtf happened to it. I know it sold a lot of records, but people didn't seem to listen to it much after the first few plays. It was challenging and perhaps under-appreciated.

Too outside for many of Carlos' fans, and maybe too inside for McLaughlin's fans.

 

[tbp0701]

One of the best concerts I've seen was Carlos Santana with Wayne Shorter. I went as Shorter is one of my favorite tenor players (sax was my main instrument for a long time) but was also really knocked out by Santana's playing. The whole band's really.

Also, I've recently found that I like listening to Abraxas when commuting on really cold days. It makes the frozen world seem much warmer.

 

[vchizzle]

Carlos is the master of that liquidy warm buttery tone. Good stuff Les.