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Santana is a unique character: at 22 he was one of the heroes of Woodstock, thanks to his Latin roots he revolutionized Rock by incorporating rhythms and sounds that were nearly unknown in this world into his music. He has collaborated with a good portion of the most influential musicians in the Rock and non-Rock scene of the last 40 years, and as if that weren't enough, he also became a pop icon thanks to the multi-award-winning "Supernatural," celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.
"Santana III" is the third important piece of a discography inaugurated with the previous "Santana" and "Abraxas," which the following year would also include "Caravanserai"; certainly a career starting with a bang. Santana's formula is always the same enticing mix: Rock, Blues, Salsa and various Latin touches, Psychedelia, strokes of Jazz, and a Jam bed to lay it all on. It is no coincidence that certain Santana sounds are also found in the early Allman Brothers Band, given that the legendary Bill Graham was a supporter of these sounds and a friend of both the Mexican-origin guitarist and the Allman brothers. A captivating rhythm opens a solid Latin Rock called "Batuka," where the great Michael Shrieve - already a Woodstock hero in "Soul Sacrifice" - takes the lead behind the kit with the rhythmic tribe of percussionists, joined sensuously by bass, organ, and Carlos in all of his acid-colored sound. "No One to Depend On" arrives warm and nocturnal on the trail of "Batuka." These are moments where Santana's sound blend enriches with his proverbial sung parts that strongly remind one of South American soneri. "Taboo" is an acid and epic delight, with its warm and majestic opening giving way shortly after to psychedelic whispers where Gregg Rolie's voice makes it even more enchanting. I don't know, but this song always makes me think of a night in Tijuana... Don't ask me why, they're impressions, and besides, I've never been to Tijuana!
"Toussaint L'Overture" is a full-fledged Salsa, where each instrument manages to express artistic freedom following the typical Salsa rhythm, so Carlos goes all out and Rolie's organ hits come down like rain. "Everybody's Everything" is an R&B delight brought to the Caribbean, with horns riding this R&B, a very intriguing result. An arrangement sensitivity that only a hybrid like Santana could make so striking. "Guajira" is a magical Mambo-flavored piece, dreamy and delicate, where Santana's guitar and Mario Ochoa's Latin and Jazz-flavored piano create very... very Latin moments indeed! The mysterious "Jungle Strut" has Santana’s stamp burned deeply into it from the first notes, rides you can't resist, also thanks to a Shrieve in great form. "Everything's Coming Our Way" strongly recalls the West Coast Rock, and Santana had to pass through those territories, being part of the west crowd in one way or another.
The finale is granted to a wild version of "Para Los Rumberos" by Maestro Puente, a version that turns out much more engaging than the original in my opinion, a truly explosive finale as only the music of an old lion like Carlitos can be!
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 No One to Depend On (05:31)
Ain't got nobody that I can depend on
Ain't got nobody that I can depend on
Ain't got nobody that I can depend on
Ain't got no one tengo anadie
That I know of no tengo anadie
That I can depend on no tengo anadie
Ain't got no one
Got nobody
That I can depend on no tengo anadie
Ain't got nobody that I can depend on
No tengo anadie.
03 Taboo (05:34)
I lay not sleeping
Don't know what to do
Lay out in waiting
Lord for the noon
Pass so slowly
Time without you
I can't see why
My open eyes can't see
So much to look by
So many things to be
Can't keep looking
In and out of me
She looks at nothing
Someone you all have seen
She never cried
As I watched her leave
Try to help me
Find the change in me
Oh, oh, oh
Try to help me
Find the change in me
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
04 Toussaint L'Overture (05:57)
Los cueros me llaman
(repeat)
El timbal
(repeat)
Vamos morena a bailar mi montuno
(repeat)
05 Everybody's Everything (03:30)
Seems like everybody's waitin'
For the new change
Come around, come around,
Come around, come around
Waitin' for the day when the king, queen of shows
Singing, round, singing round, singing round
Singing round, singing round, singing round for everyone
Yeah do it
You can understand everything to share
Let your spirits dance brothers everywhere
Let your head be free
Turn the wisdom key
Find it naturally
See you're lucky to be
If you're sad just spin around
And round and round
Do it
Yes just hold me baby
Something on your back
Lay it down, lay it down, lay it down, lay it down
Don't you know honey maybe
You're like my childless hometown
This ole town, this ole town, this ole town
See it now
Time for you to all get down
Yeah do it
Get ready, get ready, get ready, get ready
Dig this sound
Spinnin' round and round and round
Do it
You can understand everything's to share
Let your spirits dance brother everywhere
Let your head be free
Turn the wisdom key
Find it naturally see your lucky to be
Sing it now
Time for you to all get down
Yeah do it
Get ready, get ready, get ready, get ready
Get ready, get ready, get ready, get ready
Singing it now
Time for you to all get down
06 Guajira (05:45)
Vamonos guajira
Vamos a bailar
Carinito
Vamonos guajira
Vamos a bailar
Que lo que quiere guajira
Si tu quieres bailar.
Yo te a garro la mano
Y vamos a bailar.
Vamonos guajira
Vamos a bailar
Si morena
Vamonos guajira
Vamos a bailar
Que lo que quiere guajira
Si tu quieres bailar
Ben be len ben be len ben be len ben
Y vamos a gozar.
Vamonos guajira
Vamos a bailar
Primorcito
Vamonos guajira
Vamos a bailar.
Backing Vocal for Piano Solo:
Guajira . . .
Te quiero . . .
Guajira . . .
Te quiero . . .
Guajira . . .
Te quiero . . .
Guajira . . .
Te quiero . . .
Guajira . . .
Te quiero . . .
Guajira . . .
Te quiero . . .
Vamonos guajira
Vamonos bailar
Vamonos guajira
Vamonos bailar.
09 Para Los Rumberos (02:46)
Vamos rumbero que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos rumbero que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos congero que la rumba ya va empezar.
Vamos Car�bello que la rumba ya va empezar.
(Repeat 3x)
Vamos Timbero que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos Chepito que la rumba ya va empezar.
(Repeat 3x)
Vamos Santana que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos Santana que la rumba ya va empezar.
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Other reviews
By De-cano
If you don’t know Santana and are looking for his best album, or have become a fan after the recent successes of Shaman and Supernatural, then Santana III is the album you’re looking for!
You can very well say that this was the first WORLD MUSIC album in history.
By Brahms
There are sounds that have the power to transport the listener through a kind of special dimension of consciousness.
The ability to 'objectify' sensations always gives rise to works in which expressiveness is at the highest level.
