We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
There are many albums recorded in 1971 that sound dated….the 3rd album from Santana is not one of them.
The record is simply superb…highlighting the lightning guitar interplay between Carlos and the 16 year old protege Neal Schon who had joined the band since their last LP.
Schon and keyboardist Greg Rolie would leave later to form Journey. In fact, this is the last album featuring all of the original “Woodstock” group. And the Lp hit #1 on the US Charts.
As always the percussion drives many of the songs like the opener “Batuka” although the guitar pyrotechnics are impressive. One of the hit singles on the record, “No One To Depend On”, was lifted from a 60’s tune called “Spanish Grease” from Willie Bobo…
But if you have only heard “No One To Depend On” in it’s radio edit…the long form version of the song will be a revelation. It smokes!
All the songs bring it but I personally like the instrumental Toussaint L’ Overture which just stomps all over your ears…and the soul-funk hit “Everybody’s Everything” …”time for you to all get down” indeed.
This outfit was as strong as they come with everyone playing off the others in a tight, funky conflagration of guitars, organ and percussion.
The band also headed to Ghana in 1971 for a concert featuring some big American stars…it was filmed as the movie Soul To Soul
Santana III sounds like it could have been recorded yesterday and it says something that a 50 year old recording can compete with anything on the radio today.
Put it on and smile.
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