Search - Santana :: Santana - Berkeley Community Center 1970

LIVE BROADCAST RECORDINGS FROM THE ABRAXAS ERA Having released their critically acclaimed debut album, had a Top 10 Billboard single and made an already legendary appearance at the Woodstock Festival, all in 1969, by the dawn of the new decade Latin- rock 6-piece Santana were looking all set for a long and colourful career. Formed in 1967 in San Francisco as the Carlos Santana Blues Band, the eponymous guitarist and front man had previously been told by local promoter and manager Chet Helms that they would never make it on the local music scene, and that Carlos should go back to his job cleaning dishes. So as they rigorously toured in support of Santana, while concurrently working on their sophomore album, Abraxas, it s safe to say that Helms reputation was in tatters The recordings featured on this CD are taken from various performances across the Abraxas era, both during the lead up to the album s release and on the tour that followed in support. The selection includes the group s show at The Berkeley Community Center in California on 6th February 1970, followed by a couple of cuts from their gig at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu, Hawaii on 22nd May. A blistering set in its own right, the unique Santana sound is captured perfectly, with its infectious Latin grooves and smooth, suspended guitar notes. These tracks also boast the original, classic line up of the band, featuring Gregg Rolie on keyboards and lead vocals, David Brown on bass, drummer Michael Shrieve as well as the pairing of José "Chepito" Areas and Michael Carabello on percussion, all alongside Carlos on his customary lead guitar. The material is a mixture of tracks from their aforementioned debut, including their first hit Evil Ways, plus a few soon-to-be fan favourites from Abraxas, such as Hope You re Feeling Better and Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen. The final two cuts here are performances made for U.S. television in 70 and 71, including Jungle Strut, which would later appear on Santana III, and a sublime rendition of Samba Pa Ti. With a plethora of classic tracks featured by a group of musicians on the cusp of enormous success and worldwide fame, at the height of their early promise, the resultant release will prove a true delight for all fans of this seminal act.