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Product Description
Review
Twenty-eight years passed between number one albums for Santana, 1999’s globe-conquering Supernatural the group’s first chart-topper since III of 1971. Since then, the band has enjoyed a spell at the peak of the stateside albums chart with 2002’s Shaman, and 2005’s All That I Am reached number two. Guitar Heaven follows the formula of its preceding trio, guitar hero Carlos joining forces with an array of guest vocalists. The major difference is that this is a covers collection, with tunes picked from the catalogues of acts like The Rolling Stones, Cream, Deep Purple and AC/DC.
Nobody can doubt Carlos Santana’s ability with a six-string – his standing among the all-time greats cannot be questioned. Few guitarists play as if their instrument is truly an extension of themselves: Hendrix could, Clapton can, and Carlos is more than worthy of their company. But covers albums are dangerous projects for acclaimed musicians to tackle, as their abilities are likely to be bound by the constraints of the material at hand. And so it proves on Guitar Heaven, as Santana’s talent is compromised by a complacency to play these tracks as truly as possible. Sure, there’s flair where a little breathing space permits, and nothing is performed without precision – Carlos’ as-solo band here, recording alongside the guitarist for the first time, deserve respect. But nothing becomes Santana’s own – and this is something that can’t be overlooked, despite exemplary showings from central players and guests alike.
Carlos gets fingerboard busy on George Harrison’s While My Guitar Gently Weeps, coming close to giving the Beatles classic a truly unique spin, and India.Arie’s soulful vocal is genuinely affecting. It’s an exception amongst a raft of pleasing but perfunctory takes, though. Chris Cornell does a brilliant Robert Plant impersonation on Whole Lotta Love – should Stars in Their Eyes return, someone needs to book the Soundgarden singer for a celebrity edition – and Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington’s subdued performance on The Doors’ Riders on the Storm is equal parts alluring and unsettling. But embellishments usually consist of Carlos letting rip for a few seconds, and such virtuosity is no substitute for stirring passion.
If you truly love these songs, you’ll remain loyal to the originals at every turn. But if it’s to Carlos that your heart is faithful, enjoyment aplenty can be expected from a well-realised set that could well follow its predecessors’ commercial success.
--Mike DiverFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Product Description
1-Whole Lotta Love (feat. Chris Cornell) 2-Can't You Hear Me Knocking (feat. Scott Weila 3-Sunshine Of Your Love (feat. Rob Thomas) 4-While My Guitar Wently Weeps (feat. India Ari 5-Photograph (feat. Chris Daughtry) 6-Back In Black (feat. NAS) 7-Riders On The Storm (feat. Chester Bennington 8-Smoke On The Water (feat. Jacoby Shaddix) 9-Dance The Night Away (feat. Pat Monahan) 10-Bang A Gong (feat. Gavin Rossdale) 11-Little Wing (feat. Joe Cocker) 12-I Ain't Superstitious (feat. Jonny Lang) (2010/ARISTA) 12 tracks
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love Carlos Santana's playing. I think he is an amazing guitarist and musician, and one of my all-time favourite guitarists. But this album is SO disappointing.
I did not read any other reviews before buying this. Knowing Santana's ability, and the subtlety, flair and emotion that he is able to put into his playing, I was really expecting some great interpretations of some great guitar tracks.
Unfortunately the playing is generally heavy handed, lacking invention or subtlety, and on many of the tracks it sounds like an average pub-band playing a few rock standards, without adding anything new, and in fact taking quite a bit away.
Only on "Little Wing" do I feel there is anything approaching emotion and interpretation of a classic track, in his playing. Together with Joe Cocker's voice it "works" and I will listen to that track again.
As for the rest of the album...... oh no, definitely not.
Even the selection of some tracks as "guitar classics" is up for question, eg "Bang a Gong" (released in UK as "Get it on" by T-Rex, it was deemed to suggestive for the US and renamed as Bang the Gong for that market), While Marc Bolan was actually quite a talented guitarist, it is stretching things to call this track a guitar classic. Whole Lotta Love? Can't You Hear Me Knocking?.......not really seminal guitar classics.
Sadly, this sounds more like an album put together to fulfill some sort of contractual obligation. Rather like watching Michael Caine in "Escape to Victory", "Jaws - The Revenge", "On Deadly Ground" or "Blame it on Rio" ..........I can't help thinking "Oh Carlos, you are so much better than this".
If you can find someone who has bought or downloaded this already, PLEASE listen to their copy before buying this for yourself. It might appeal to you. If I were reading this review instead or writing it, I would probably not believe Carlos Santana could make an album this heavy-handed and unoriginal. I have listened to every track at least twice and some 3 times to be sure it is not simply my mood. Perhaps he makes these tracks work live? I dont know.............
I did not read any other reviews before buying this. Knowing Santana's ability, and the subtlety, flair and emotion that he is able to put into his playing, I was really expecting some great interpretations of some great guitar tracks.
Unfortunately the playing is generally heavy handed, lacking invention or subtlety, and on many of the tracks it sounds like an average pub-band playing a few rock standards, without adding anything new, and in fact taking quite a bit away.
Only on "Little Wing" do I feel there is anything approaching emotion and interpretation of a classic track, in his playing. Together with Joe Cocker's voice it "works" and I will listen to that track again.
As for the rest of the album...... oh no, definitely not.
Even the selection of some tracks as "guitar classics" is up for question, eg "Bang a Gong" (released in UK as "Get it on" by T-Rex, it was deemed to suggestive for the US and renamed as Bang the Gong for that market), While Marc Bolan was actually quite a talented guitarist, it is stretching things to call this track a guitar classic. Whole Lotta Love? Can't You Hear Me Knocking?.......not really seminal guitar classics.
Sadly, this sounds more like an album put together to fulfill some sort of contractual obligation. Rather like watching Michael Caine in "Escape to Victory", "Jaws - The Revenge", "On Deadly Ground" or "Blame it on Rio" ..........I can't help thinking "Oh Carlos, you are so much better than this".
If you can find someone who has bought or downloaded this already, PLEASE listen to their copy before buying this for yourself. It might appeal to you. If I were reading this review instead or writing it, I would probably not believe Carlos Santana could make an album this heavy-handed and unoriginal. I have listened to every track at least twice and some 3 times to be sure it is not simply my mood. Perhaps he makes these tracks work live? I dont know.............
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
annoyed that I lashed out 13 quid on this
annoyed that some great songs have been crucified
annoyed that (c)rap took over one of them that never was a (c)rap song
annoyed that it sounds like CS was in a different studio to everyone else
annoyed that this is all he seems able to do now
annoyed that one of my favourites has reduced himself to this
annoyed that this has actually made me angry
Please - if you ever loved the music of this man - one of the best performers I ever saw live and who made some of the greatest albums of their era - do not buy this drivel
annoyed that some great songs have been crucified
annoyed that (c)rap took over one of them that never was a (c)rap song
annoyed that it sounds like CS was in a different studio to everyone else
annoyed that this is all he seems able to do now
annoyed that one of my favourites has reduced himself to this
annoyed that this has actually made me angry
Please - if you ever loved the music of this man - one of the best performers I ever saw live and who made some of the greatest albums of their era - do not buy this drivel
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Maybe the personal favourites of Carlos have been but together here.
I must admit, that although, obviously Carlos is the greatest guitarist in the world, i feel i would have liked more awesome guitar arrangements and feel let down, thats all.
For those whom follow Carlos no matter what, then this album with be on the shelves of those deciples, for me Whilst my guitat gently weeps, has the best treatment on arrangement.
Throughout the album, there is odd glimmer of Carlos *going off on one* of his famous rift, but sadly, i think another wasted oppertunity here to have really ripped all our heads off.
I must admit, that although, obviously Carlos is the greatest guitarist in the world, i feel i would have liked more awesome guitar arrangements and feel let down, thats all.
For those whom follow Carlos no matter what, then this album with be on the shelves of those deciples, for me Whilst my guitat gently weeps, has the best treatment on arrangement.
Throughout the album, there is odd glimmer of Carlos *going off on one* of his famous rift, but sadly, i think another wasted oppertunity here to have really ripped all our heads off.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
comfort food for the ears
Being a Santana fan of many years standing I was excited to have this album recommended to me by a friend of trusted musical pedigree.
It hasn't disappointed. Read more
It hasn't disappointed. Read more
Published 2 months ago by ipso facto
Great Tunes
Well, we all know the songs, Carlos puts his spin on them and I really like this easy listening album, crank it up folks its great to drive along to, its awsome his guitar sings... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Rodblade1
Santana is a Guitar Hero
What an excellent CD (chipper then anywhere else)Brilliant Guitar work by Santana.If you like your Music fast,furious and heavy then this CD is the one to have. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Kish
Electric Guitar as she is meant to be played
Excellent album from Carlos Santana with plenty more guest vocalists etc..
Instead of new songs, these are all classic guitar tracks brought up to date with the the Santana... Read more
Instead of new songs, these are all classic guitar tracks brought up to date with the the Santana... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Peter Gallant
for the love of...stoppit stoppit stoppit !!!
Oh Carlos, what were you thinking of ?
Keep flogging the expensive shoes, the wine and the perfume, but for the sake of all that I and your elderly (and not so elderly) fans... Read more
Keep flogging the expensive shoes, the wine and the perfume, but for the sake of all that I and your elderly (and not so elderly) fans... Read more
Published 9 months ago by RJ.TEMPEST
Oh dear.
Can't say I don't like it, but I am a Santana fan and I am sadly disappointed. This is not how I grew to love him. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Bendy
Running out of ideas
The concept is a fine idea - guitar classics with a twist of Santana. However....not sure how many of these are "guitar classics", and the Santanafication is kept to a minimum. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Baldman
DIVERSE Santana !
Yes, he goes with the times and has the talent to show it.
Ignore the drivel in these nonsense reviews about "Santana should do what he does best", what a load of sentimental... Read more
Ignore the drivel in these nonsense reviews about "Santana should do what he does best", what a load of sentimental... Read more
Published 11 months ago by J. Stoodley
Rockin Out
Carlos breathes new life into these tired old numbers...cant understand the negative reviews ...if you still want to listen to Caravanserai then go ahead .. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Gwf Smith
A versatile collection of classic rock pieces
Santana have always been one of the most consistent and musically-competent bands around. This album hosts a brilliant range of rock classics given a make-over and each one... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr Kelvin S Taylor
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