Search - Santana :: Lotus

A fountain of intense energy

K. Swanson | Austin, TX United States | 08/19/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"4.7 stars



[Lotus is from two gigs in Osaka, Japan on July 3 and 4, 1973, btw]



I've had the triple Japanese vinyl of this since way back in the day and still consider it one of the best live rock albums of them all, and easily the best package (it's a shame the cd can only hint at the massive majesty of the multiple foldout/mega-poster combo that is this ultimate '70s album cover...covers were a huge part of the mystery back then, and this one conveyed almost as much transcendence as the music). The sound is incredibly detailed on the analog recording, and I must say the transfer to digital, while fair, does not do the original tapes justice; it's rather thin and nowhere near as warm and rich as the analog mix. We get the detail of all that percussion, but not as crisply or with the depth of the vinyl. If ever an album begged for the 5.1 treatment, here it is.



But it's still a great listen in any format; this was a key period for Carlos as a player and a seeker. He was about to head into his Devadip phase with McLaughlin, and the insane wall of notes stuff they played live was preceded by this more restrained yet still fully unleashed music. The best part of this stage in Santana's evolution---the intense fire and passion combined with extremely interesting polyrhythms and mostly instrumental workouts---is here in spades, and there are few things on wax from Carlos that match the takes of Neshabur and Toussaint from this gig. Very funky and jazzy while still rocking out hard, with finely filigreed percussion throughout, this is Santana playing for themselves as musicians, not for the radio or the record company (hence this not coming out in America for almost two decades).



There are a few of the early hits to assuage those who need such things (performed well if a tad perfunctorily in contrast to the newer numbers), but it's a tribute to Carlos' attitude that he kept his "pandering" to a minimum and fed the audience what he wanted them to hear, not vice-versa as with most groups. The version of Samba Pa Ti does have some gorgeous spells, and highlight's the band's innate sense of dynamics and Carlos' gentle touch.



I hadn't heard Lotus in years but this past week I've been on a wonderful journey through this tour, listening to various concert tapes and watching an old Japanese tv show of the gigs in Tokyo from this same week. [Check out boobtube for plenty of cuts from some of those concerts, and much of the Tokyo show, "Santana live Japan 1973" will take you to many fine moments.] All of the tour was amazing, but no doubt they caught one of the best nights with the multi-tracks rolling here. The typically super-respectful, mostly silent Japanese crowd highlights the incredible interplay of Shrieve and the percussionists with the double keyboard onslaught, Rauch's tight and funky basslines, and Carlos' ultra-sharp leads. He lays out a lot here, which make his burning solos seem that much hotter. Shrieve and Rauch are monsters and when this whole band is fired up, as on Neshabur and A-1 Funk, it's pure energy.



And that's the very best thing about Lotus: its incendiary energy. From moment one the listener is jacked into these guys' world, and Carlos' spiritual quest had him at a very sweet spot right here. You can absolutely bathe in his laser-like focus, and the band keeps up with him every step of the way. Some of the other shows from this tour are looser and more groovy, but they knew the tapes were rolling here and they gave it their all. It electrifies your ears almost all the way through. I've been running in the 105 degree midday heat with Lotus on my walkman this week and barely noticing the sweat pouring off. This music will put you in a perfect trance. It sounds majestic on a good car stereo: you're sitting in the middle of a huge jam, the good kind.



If you have any interest in any Santana music, or love electric guitar, great drumming, bass playing, wild percussion, and intense energy in general, Lotus awaits. Plug in and sail away!



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