Supernatural Live

Amazon.com

Like the hit album that inspires its name, Supernatural Live brings journeyman guitarist Carlos Santana back into the mainstream by surrounding him with younger superstars eager to bask in his formidable musical presence. Resuscitating stardom through sheer proximity can translate to forced pairings or superfluous music making, but credit Santana himself with minimizing such missteps. A fusion artist before the term was coined, the erstwhile Mexican street musician long ago extended his technical reach and broadened his stylistic palette by hungrily assimilating different styles of music. Accordingly, he shifts gears easily, whether soloing behind Dave Matthews, trading lines with legendary saxophonist Wayne Shorter, or spicing up a hip-hop excursion with Lauryn Hill.

Santana justifiably taps into the late '90s' breakout for Latin pop, hardly surprising in light of his early identification with Latin-rock via his 1968 recording debut. His early reworking of Tito Puente's classic "Oye Como Va" thus pops up as the set closer, while the concert kicks off with a frenetic, horn-powered "(Da Le) Yaleo," given added spectacle by a swaying corps of lissome female dancers in feathered headgear. Elsewhere, the guitarist hosts a procession of the stars that added their marquee value to the Supernatural album, including Rob Thomas (the massive hit, "Smooth," here performed as a medley with "Dame Tu Amor") and Everlast. But a duet with label colleague Sarah McLachlan on "Angel" yields the concert's only anticlimax--on a ballad built from spare piano and a poignant lyric, Santana's innate taste leaves him little to contribute beyond a delicate tracery of classical guitar.

Production values are excellent, with crisp camera work and sound mixing. A special remote camera, mounted on the neck of Santana's guitar, presents his intricate fretwork in nifty close-ups that are wisely held to just a few songs. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant!!.......2007-06-24

This used to be a "filler" on the film entertainmnet system on Qantas international flights: watched it so many times and it just seemed to get better and better!!!

One of the best........2007-05-14

Santana has been one of my all time favorite concerts- they know how to put on a show and celebrate life and music. (Just like his live concerts - it unbelievable- the sound quality and perfection that Carlos and his band are able to achieve-Live). I expected all the great old songs and was surprised to hear some new and different and great guest collaborations. This is one that I watched again right away. I consider this a piece of musical history- so many great musicians in one place. My husband had not seen Santana before and was an immediate fan by the 2nd song. (and not just because of the showgirls)

OK make that 3 1/2 ... It's CARLOS...!.......2006-06-27

Carlos Santana isn't simply a musician. He's become more of a legend in the nearly 4 decades since he stepped onstage at Woodstock wearing a Jesus Christ "crown of thorns" tee shirt and played the living "you know what" out of that red Gibson SG.

Since then, Carlos has become the goodwill ambassador for alot of ideals and spirituality that, whether yer on his trip or not, represent all that is good, kind, generous and (dare I say it without making you hurl ) LOVING in the world today. So let's put everything into a slightly different perspective than a simple concert review. A Santana concert is a celebration of brotherhood and fraternity for people around the world.... Something that we could use alot more of these days. This concert certainly delivers a generous portion of just that.

Rarely is someone going to like all of the diverse guest performers in this concert. In fact, being an old geezer and retired pro musician myself, they aren't really my thing either.... So bloody what? Besides, Carlos and the producers of this concert were smart enough to give the younger crowd all these new stars and die hard old Santana fans plenty of the old numbers too. Pretty smart marketing, eh?

As always, the Santana Band delivers tight music, great arrangements,(for rock-n-roll anyway) killer percussion work and Carlos can still play the doggy dew out of a guitar.... Just like he always has. (.......and while I'm at it, I'd just like to remind all the music snobs who say "Old Carlos has lost his chops", let's see how well you still play guitar in your mid sixties)... So there.... ya cocky little dilettantes.

I haven't bothered to check out the price at which Amazon's dealers are selling this DVD. But hell, I'd pay ten bucks just to see that drop dead gorgeous PRS guitar that Carlos plays with the orange flame maple top. It's so brilliantly figured it looks like it's about catch fire.... just beautiful.

All in all this DVD is worth having. Perhaps for the Santana connoisseur this concert pales in comparison to Sacred Fire in Mexico.... But what the hell........ It's Carlos fricken Santana...!!

How bad could it possibly be....?

Timothy A. Di Pietro
Certified Django Junkie

Amazing.......2006-02-19

I did listen this cd/dvd before and to a Santana fan this is a must

Legendary.......2006-01-20

I love the way Carlos brings the new and old together on this DVD with his many diversified guests. As a 'for fun' conga player I go nuts when I hear the timbales, congas, bongos and all of that fabulous latin percussion that Carlos has thankfully brought to the mainstream.

When the DVD opens you get the flamingo dancers with brightly colored head dresses and you know it's only gonna get better from there. Don't want to say too much, but trust me, you'll love it. Enjoy.

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