Abraxas (studio album)
by Santana

Probably the most familiar / recognisable track on the album. The song became one of Santana's staples and one of their biggest hits

It basically consists of covers of two songs, played as a medley of Peter Greens Black Magic Woman and Gábor Szabó's 1966 "Gypsy Queen".

To be fair, Santana’s version retains the same general structure as Fleetwood Mac’s version, however, I think that there’s more of a jazz vibe, along with the Latin vibe going on here, (organ, percussion etc.) as you would expect. I love both FM’s and Santana’s version equally. I saw this version referred to as having a “voodoo” vibe. I see that.

I love this track and it lifts the album after the more laid back opening track.

From 1970 - around 1975 i was heavily into heavy rock / metal. Loved bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Budgie, Uriah Heep and Atomic Rooster.

then, in around 1975, I discovered this album. Not sure how I got to meet these folks, probably through an x school friend, I was 17 by now, but I got to know what, at the time I called "The Hippy Lot". They introduced me to loads of great music and this was the first album I heard that this girl in the group owned.

We were sat in her parents living room (they must have been out or Away), after having been down the pub. I remember thinking that her parents must be rich because they had such a big house.

Anyway, she put this album on and it blew my mind. I was used to great heavy music but this was something totally different but equally great. Pretty much my world opened up to a whole new strand of music and I never looked back.

Over the next few months I discovered The Allman Brothers, Traffic, Steve Miller Band, Robin Trower and a whole lot more. At 17 I was a sponge, eager to learn more.

The superb playing pushes very good songs to excellent! 9.5/10!

A much more focused and consistent release across the board with all tracks being of some quality which leads to a cohesive listen. Despite this, there are only 2 songs I would consider to be outstanding and the rest are enjoyable but not something that would draw me back to this release. With that being said, the lead guitar from Santana is absolutely brilliant on here as it completely transforms tracks and is by far the best thing about this release. The percussion is thoroughly enjoyable as well with the opening track being a personal highlight of this for me. Overall, a demonstration of high quality guitar playing that is lead by two fantastic tracks and it makes for a short but enjoyable listen.

Great record

I enjoyed it more than his first album, but I think his music is just not for me. I have to say that Black Magic Woman and Oye Como Va are catchy.

From IlMala 02/03/2022 15:48 | #280552

498 in overall chart? what did Santana do to be so undervalued; this, and at least other 5 albums of his dischography, i considerate at least closed to be masterpieces.

From Jboy56 11/25/2021 20:48 | #276687

One of my most listened album, cohesive and artistically rewarding experience.
Full of great songs

2 blockbusters plus some great music

From planetneutral 01/03/2021 22:07 | #263782

Overall, I prefer my Santana live, but this is mostly smoldering. Even the slowdown is top-shelf.