Gosh, still sounds heavenly after so many years.
Heard and loved this album millions of times in the 70s... Absolute masterpiece.

I can't listen to Santana. Their 'songs' or 'pieces' last forever and eventually the high pitch hurts my ears. 

 grogg wrote: 
truer words were never spoken

Wow, this brings back memories of sitting in the dorm room and trying to figure out what direction Carlos was taking the band next. An unjustly forgotten period in his work.

No comparison. Richards stretches and strains and never makes it sound new, except compared to other Richards, but Carlos just flows. He has 20 or 30 cuts that move like this, and they're all different. Always with a great swooping melody that drives to the heart. Love him. One of the greatest musicians of my lifetime. 

 chris_the_man wrote: 

I seem to remember seeing Carlos in 1969 at Woodstock.......Peace...

My favorite Santana album, back when the jam and the groove was the important thing.

Fanning the flames with a smirk on your face no doubt...? ;-) Bravo!

 Kokoloco53 wrote: 
"Love, Devotion, and Surrender" is amazing with the fiery interplay between Carlos and John.

The guitar work here is very dentistdrillesque.

This came out the year I got married and was the first LP played on my new hi-fi in my new house. Great memories and have loved it ever since

Nice segue from Time Waits For No One

A great song from a really innovative album.

Guitar + Santana = awesome!

Tune it.

Please break a string!

Nice segue from the Stones "Time Waits for No One" to this.  Great work, RP.

 bizon wrote: 
Is that as opposed to the rare and perplexing, non-masturbatory wank?

Grew up listening to every one of Santana's albums, but this, their fourth album took them in a new direction, abolutely one of their best. Followed then by Welcome, with guest artist, John McLaughlin, Love, Devotion and Surrender, spelled a new era. Carlos dove head first into  Scientology and left the rest of us behind, but his musicianship just went to a new level. Awesome stuff.

Sublime !!!!!

 kingart wrote: 
I agree, he not only has unique musical talent, but also walks the walk of a righteous man.

While their musical genres are very different, Willie Nelson shares a lot of the same qualities. It's nice to know there are still some class acts around. Would that the new crop learns from their betters...

Hands down, IMO Carlos Santana is one of the greatest musicians of my lifetime. His tone and melody are stellar. But it takes more than just red hot music to build a superb intercontinental reputation. It's being gracious, a showman, passionate. I have met one of his Latin America road managers, who says Carlos is one of the most amenable people he has ever met. Very punctual and expecting everyone else to be the same, but smiling, helpful, ardent and righteous. Selling out huge venues all over the world is no small feat, and Carlos has been packing big houses since the Fillmore in '68. That's 43 years of 50, 60, 80 or more gigs a year, every year. Now assume a low AVERAGE of maybe 10,000 heads per house. Madison Square Garden, Budokan, Kremlin Square, huge Latin Am soccer stadiums, uhh, Woodstock, Do the math. It's more than just selling records, or making particularly great ones.  (As a major fan, I can say that Santana and the bands have cranked out 8 or so great to really good units, the rest are a mixed bag with several hot cuts and others less than fully memorable.) He's played/recorded with Dylan, Clapton, Beck, Wayne Shorter, Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Kirk Hammett, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Robert Randolph, even Placido Domingo, all the while speaking to hearts and souls to help make them happy, and the world a better place. All that is worthy of accolades by any measure.  He's not just a guitarist, he's a man on a deeply felt mission.  For those who may not know of it, check out Architects of a New Dawn. 

Actually that's Mick Taylor playing lead guitar on "Time Waits For No One."  Keith is/was the Stones rhythm guitar player.  tallboy1968 wrote: 

the most sublimely fantastic guitar work!

A one trick pony eh?  I just wish it was trick I could do!
So Hendrix, Clapton, and others are what multi trick ponies? I think not.

Carlos has a niche and plays for all it's worth, no harm in that. I too prefer the earlier stuff. 

 tallboy1968 wrote: 
Very nice indeed. Amazing Bill. You truly are the master. It's great to hear this again. All hail RP.

 IrieTom wrote: 

EEEEEE-XACTLY!!!!