Carlos Santana

It’s his own damn fault if he’s ditching Avril to hang out with that other girl... old man clearly has zero taste...😁

Alex Martinez4 said:Everyone keeps repeating that like some broken record... can you actually explain what you mean by saying his songs all follow the same formula? I'm genuinely curious...

Look at it this way—during those first few listens, you probably won't even be able to tell the tracks apart anyway.

ruggedjackal46 said:Look at it this way—when you first start listening, you honestly can't tell the songs apart.

But... like I said, if it sounded any different, it wouldn't even be Santana. He actually chose to collaborate with all those differenticons on Supernatural because his guitar tone has always been his signature. I'm not saying it's bad or anything, just consistent.🙂

ruggedjackal46 said:Let's put it this way—during your first few listens, you won't even be able to tell the songs apart.

That is precisely why you have to listen to them repeatedly until you actually learn the material. If you were to pick up a Santana album, for instance, you likely wouldn't recognize a specific track the very second the first beat hits. Perhaps the Latin rhythms don't resonate with you, causing everything to sound identical simply because every song starts with congas—that's a bit of an exaggeration, certainly—but you need to immerse yourself in the music to understand it. The situation with Shaman is much the same, and I must admit I find it difficult to grasp how you cannot distinguish them. It is perfectly logical that you would need multiple listens to memorize how a song begins.🙄Not every song in existence features such a distinct opening that it sticks in your mind instantly, and I seriously doubt they are all that similar. Adouma is quite fluid, Foo Foo possesses a very specific rhythm, and Wictory is Won is a true Santana-style instrumental; I won't bother analyzing every single track in such detail.

Best regards...

Alex Martinez4, don't get me started. I actually loved "Supernatural," but I can't shake this feeling that he just took those tracks, tweaked the tempo slightly, and shifted a few notes around. It all feels like one big case of déjà vu. Even the lyrics—it’s just endless, almost naive songs about love everywhere you look (and yeah, I'm talking specifically about "Supernatural" and that track by M. Branch; I honestly couldn't stomach listening to the others more than twice). Anyway, I'm going to give it another spin tomorrow and then I'll send over my full report.

ruggedjackal46 said:Alex Martinez4, don't be so quick to judge. I personally enjoyed Supernatural, though I can't shake the feeling that he took those tracks and simply tweaked the tempo and shifted a few tones. It all feels like a massive case of déjà vu. Even the lyrics follow that same predictable pattern, constantly preaching about love with a level of naivety that borders on the exhausting—and that applies to both Supernatural and the track by M. Branch. Honestly, I didn't have the stomach to listen to the rest more than twice. I'll give it another thorough spin tomorrow and provide my final assessment.

Look, I’m not entirely sure where you stand on this, though your perspective might actually be justified. Personally, I don't mind that he constantly sings about love; if a lyric is mediocre, the subject matter is irrelevant. Is your issue specifically with the repetitive romantic themes, or do you simply find his songwriting lacks substance? Don't misunderstand my intent here—I am not attempting to lecture you or force my opinion upon you. I say that as a warning to myself as much as to you, because once I fixate on a point, I have a tendency to become relentless. If I overstep, feel free to shut me down. 😁 I am only interested in hearing your specific stance on this matter, provided that nobody else has already voiced it. 😁 Well, go ahead then. Let me know.

Greetings.

Alex Martinez4, look, I don't mind the whole thing because, let's be honest, nobody listens to Santana just for the lyrics 🙂. It’s more that while he’s undeniably brilliant, it feels like he falls back on the exact same guitar licks every single time. It’s getting a little played out, isn't it? I really want to hear him break free and try something fresh, because I truly believe he’s still got that kind of depth in him.

P.S. Haven't actually listened to the album today—my Discman finally kicked the bucket. 🙂

ruggedjackal46 said:Alex Martinez4, I don't care about that one; nobody listens to Santana for the lyrics anyway. 🙂 While there is no denying that Santana is an incredible musician, he relies far too heavily on the same predictable guitar tropes. It’s starting to feel repetitive, and frankly, I'm looking for him to break out of his comfort zone and deliver something fresh, because I know he has the talent to do it.

P.S. I didn't get around to listening to the album today; my Discman finally gave up the ghost. 🙂

Listen, we need to talk about brand recognition. He’s currently navigating a specific phase of his career, but I am certain he will eventually integrate fresh elements into his guitar work. His style has undergone constant evolution, so this current direction is merely an upgrade in progress. If you haven't sat down and listened to his early catalog, do yourself a favor and start there. Specifically, listen to those first three albums from start to finish. And for heaven's sake, ditch the Discman.😁 😁

Greetings.

I’m really hoping they step up the style this time. I was genuinely hyped for this album, but honestly? It feels like a total retread of Supernatural 😢
Maybe I’ll track down those three Santana albums from someone
And yeah, I’ve never been a fan of the Discman either—nothing beats a classic Walkman, right? Mine survived my four-year-old self without a single glitch. But, through some weird stroke of luck, I ended up with the Shaman CD anyway :\

I am going to try to track down those three Santana albums from someone.

By all means, make the effort; I am certain you won't regret it, as the experience will be entirely different from what you expect.

Best,

I think Santana is solid...
Don't know how anyone can talk trash about albums like: Santana, Abraxas, Santana III, or even Caravanserai.

In my opinion, you just can't beat the debut—that 1969 Santana album is pure gold. Honestly, the way "Evil Ways" hits is just absolutely perfect...

Hey everyone,
I happened to stumble upon a video on YouTube of "By the Pool" being performed at Live Aid 85, and it got me wondering—is this actually his original track? Also, does anyone know if there’s a studio version floating around somewhere on the internet? Thanks!

This is all I've got in my collection so far:

Santana 1969 - 10/10, an absolute masterpiece
Abraxas - 9/10, really solid
Santana III - 10+/10, perfection
Caravanserai 1972 - 10/10, great stuff
Welcome 1973 - 10/10, a total masterpiece
Supernatural 1999 - 2/10, just boring

Does anyone have any other interesting Santana albums they’d recommend?