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 DTS - Horrendous version of this album Oct 28, 2009
This is one of Santana's greatest albums so it is a true shame that it was put out in such a poor version. If you compare this DTS copy to the CD, you can see what's wrong with it - NO BASS! I have a frequency analyzer in my system and the DTS has nothing below 100Hz. How could this happen? Unbelievable. I actually prefer to listen to my cd copy and never play the DTS. A total waste of money and a true shame because it could have been great...
 Too good for rock fans Jul 24, 2009
...and also too good for Columbia Records.
This is one of the greatest records of all time.
If you like Bitches Brew, you would like this. The way Black Magic Woman flows into Gypsy Queen (which is really a different song by Gabor Szabo) is a tour-de-force.
Can't Pronouce It, But I Know It's Cool Jun 18, 2009
Like so many other classic rock albums, Santana's 1970 sophomore set ABRAXAS is celebrated for what are arguably the wrong reasons, with the curious result that the collection as a whole remains underappreciated. Sure, ABRAXAS yielded Santana's two biggest hits - the ageless and definitive covers of Fleetwood Mac's "Black Magic Woman" and Tito Puente's "Oye Como Va" - but there's a lot more here than a couple of radio staples. Running the gamut from the ethereal to the earthbound several times over, this is about as eclectic a package as one could ask for, and a major step forward from the fine debut disc the band had released just over a year earlier.
"Singing Winds, Crying Beasts" is an airy instrumental, and opens the album on its subtlest note. Many listeners might view it as little more than an extended intro to "Black Magic Woman," but I'd counter that Santana's most famous tune strikes me in turn as an intro to "Gypsy Queen," the Gabor Szabo piece into which it segues so beautifully. "Oye Como Va" certainly makes a statement, but "Incident at Neshabur" makes an even bigger one, proving conclusively that this band played covers out of choice rather than necessity. Lest anyone still harbor doubts, percussionist Chepito Areas' swinging "Se a Cabo" should help you to dance them away.
Keyboardist and lead singer Gregg Rolie wrote several fine straight rock and blues numbers during his tenure in Santana, the two finest of which appear on this album. "Mother's Daughter" is a darkly humorous, passionately performed tale of love gone wrong, while the steamshoveling "Hope You're Feeling Better" is, for my money, Santana's greatest rocker and more deserving than either "Black Magic Woman" or "Oye Como Va" of ABRAXAS' top honors. "Samba pa Ti" is a stately, spiritual guitar showcase for Carlos Santana, still one of his best, and the percussion feature "El Nicoya" closes the proceedings in a very similar vein to that on which they opened, its heavily reverbed production evoking windy mountain redoubts south of the border and west of the setting sun.
The reissue of ABRAXAS adds three live tracks from a 1970 London show - "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen," "Se a Cabo" and an early version of "Toussaint L'Overture" - which provide a nice taste of what the band was doing on stage while creating this album in the studio. No one really needs any additional reason to buy such a recording, of course, but they're here, and they're good.
Perhaps no Santana studio release better displays the band's singular ability to pair market-friendly pop and rock sensibilities with esoteric musical exploration than ABRAXAS. It's a solidly excellent set, not an alternative greatest hits package, and a must for ears everywhere.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Abraxas Is A Classic Jun 13, 2009
I got this album when it first came out on vinyl and it's as fresh today as it was when it was released. This in my humble opinion was the best of all the Santana albums released. I consider this one as well as the 1st and 3rd albums Santana's best albums. The bonus tracks though to me are nothing important, it's the album that is the main release this CD is a classic. I don't collect Santana but have all their best albums in my opinion. I saw some reviews giving this a low rating, geeze, what were you listening to! I am sure they will soon put this one out in a two CD version like their 1st/2rd albums. So what are you waiting for? buy this this one, take a sample listen, no matter if your white guy like me or some other race, this one crosses any racial boundary.
Check out my mini-web site, Google it "Judemac Forever"
Key Tracks:
Black Magic Woman (Album version is far superior to the 45 RPM mix)
Gypsy Queen (great track to segue to Black Magic Woman)
Oye Como Va
Hope Your Feeling Better (A "B" Side to Black Magic Woman on 45RPM) & could have been a "A" side very easy.
CLASSIC CARLOS Mar 06, 2009
For anyone who enjoys Carlos Santana in concert, this collection is a must. I have seen Carlos Santana over the years since 1969. Each time that I play any of his songs, it is a musical journey that I truly enjoy.
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