Search - Santana :: Inner Secrets

Weak

G B | Connecticut | 07/18/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This album fits comfortably into Santana's steady deterioration during the second half of the 1970s. Not everything here sucks, but most of it is fairly bland late 70s rock and R&B. The best stuff on here is probably the two Steve Winwood-related covers -- "The Dealer" and "Well All Right". (Vocalist Greg Walker sounds quite a bit like Winwood on much of the album.) These aren't great, but they aren't bad.



The only tune that deserves special comment is "Open Invitation": this song is hilariously awful, the kind of radio-friendly pop-metal that people routinely laugh at. I think it's worth hearing Inner Secrets just for this track.



Unless you're a Santana completist or a fan of mediocre late 70s music, I wouldn't bother with this one. The best thing that can be said about it is that some of the later Santana albums would be even worse."

Good Album In Need Of Remastering

Duke's Travels | Denver, CO | 03/02/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm surprised at all the one and two-star reviews of Inner Secrets. This was in the middle of a good period for Carlos & Company (76 Moonflower - 82 Shango) and produced some intelligently crafted works with pop overtones. The opening "Dealer/Spanish Rose" alternating medley is an interesting progression of the band. "Move On" is so-so, but this leads to the album's best work - a seven-minute funkified take on the Motown classic "One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)," featuring a sweet groove from bassist Dave Margen and always-underrated drummer Graham Lear, stellar playing from Carlos and atmospheric keyboard work. Yes, it has some dance/disco influences, but remember that the album came out in 1978 and that was style de rigeur in those days. The band then produces two more solid covers, the moody "Stormy" and the dual guitar assault on "Well All Right." I read some strong criticism about "Open Invitation" and I disagree - I think it is a solid straight rocker with a powerful conclusion. The remaining three tracks are so-so as well, listenable but not phenomenal.

What this album needs is a better CD mix. I had the LP and the sound quality was superior. Sony has issued domestic remastered versions of Santana - Welcome and Moonflower, it's time to give Festival and Amigos - Beyond Apperances the same treatment."