Can someone post the entire Santana discography in chronological order and maybe make some recommendations?

Thanks!

Santana and Abraxas are the ones I already have. What about Santana III?

calldapplwondery83 said:

'Santana III' is better than the first two albums,imo.Every track is superb.

But if you're just getting into Santana,these are the albums that you should start with...


***'Caravanserai'(1972)---this album is like Carlos' 'Around The World In A Day'...lol...his record company warned him that it would alienate his audience.It's totally different from the first three albums.There are no "pop" songs here,it's strictly rock/jazz fusion,very experimental.Carlos plays guitar with amazing passion!

***'Welcome'(1973)---this album was recently remastered.Highlights include the soulful "When I Look Into Your Eyes" which is followed by the hypnotic "Yours Is The Light",which is just out of this world!

***'Borboletta'(1974)---MY FAVORITE SANTANA ALBUM! This one stays in my CD player for months at a time.An intoxicating blend of Latin rhythms,R&B and some jazz.There are so many great songs here..."Life Is Anew","Give And Take","One With The Sun","Mirage"...these songs have amazing melodies that stay in your head forever.A sparkling masterpiece of an album.Trust me,get this album!!

***'Amigos'(1976)---this is Carlos' funk album,and it's superb.Not much rock or jazz here,this is mostly an R&B affair with a healthy dose of funk.The track "Let Me" is the funkiest thing Carlos has ever done,and the beautiful "Let It Shine" has a gospel flavor to it.

***'Festival' (1977)---this is probably my second favorite Santana album.Like 'Amigos',it contains mostly R&B.There is a smooth EW&F-like ballad "Give Me Love" and a few top-notch funk numbers ("Try A Little Harder","Let The Music Set You Free").But really,every song is great.

***'Moonflower'(1977)---in the 70s,it was common for artists to release massive 2-LP Live albums,with a handful of new studio tracks added.This album contains performances from the 1976 tour,mixed with some wonderful studio tracks.The best of these new songs is "I'll Be Waiting",a warm,soulful track that just sizzles.Another highlight is the rocking "She's Not There",which became a hit single.This CD was recently remastered as a 2-CD set.

***'Oneness: Silver Dreams,Golden Smiles' (1979)---this was actually billed as a Carlos Santana solo album.It's wildly eclectic,expermental and spiritual.I think that Prince's 'Rainbow Children' album was directly inspired by this project.

***'Zebop'(1981)---Carlos entered the 80s with a more mainstream rock sound.But this album is pretty good,with strong songs like "Searchin" ( a favorite of mine).Probably his most consistent 80s album.

***'Blues For Salvador'(1988)---another Carlos Santana solo project,this album consists mostly of instrumentals.The title track is just mindblowing...a moody,atmospheric piece that just MOVES you.

***'Milagro'(1992)---I love this album so much that I used it's title as my username on the old Org...lol...a strong collection of well-produced tracks.Highlights include the ballad "Somewhere In Heaven",the wonderfully soulful "Make Somebody Happy" (which has become a concert favorite),and a lovely remake of Marvin Gaye's "Right On",with our pal Larry Graham on lead vocals (lol).


***'Sacred Fire'(1993)---A KILLER LIVE ALBUM!!Recorded in South America,this project is highly explosive.Carlos plays guitar as if his life depended on it.This recording will leave you speechless.

***'Brothers'(1994)---this album is a collaboration with Carlos,his brother Jorge and a cousin of theirs.It's an instrumental guitar-based album with one gem after another.

***'Ceremony'(2003)---this is a remix album that focuses on the last two Santana CDs ('Supernatural' and 'Shaman').But it also contains several outtakes from the 2002 'Shaman' CD.For the most part,the new songs are Santana Band recordings without the guest stars.Thus,this is a "real" Santana album and what 'Shaman' really should have been.Tracks like "Come Into My World","Curacion" and "Truth Don Die" are more focused and inspired than the commercial pop stuff that makes up most of 'Shaman'.
[This message was edited Mon Jan 26 6:04:16 PST 2004 by DavidEye]

Hey Kisscamille,did you ever get 'Ceremony'? It's a limited release of only 100,000 copies so you might wanna get it before it disappears.Some great stuff on there.

DavidEye said:

No, I never did get that one. I will take a look for it though and see if I can still find it around. Thanks!

kisscamille said:

I got 'Ceremony' as a Christmas gift and I am really really enjoying it.It's considered a remix album,but I look at it as what 'Shaman' could have been.It contains several outtakes from that album and the best thing is,these songs do not feature "guest stars".These previously unreleased songs were recorded solely by the Santana Band and they're more Latin-sounding and complex than the commercial pop stuff that makes up most of 'Shaman'.Don't get me wrong,I like 'Shaman',but it's nice to hear a REAL Santana album again,one that's not too concerned with current trends.There are also a few remixes of the well-known songs from 'Supernatural' and 'Shaman',but trust me,it's the NEW songs that make this a worthwhile release.


SANTANA 'CEREMONY' (my review)---

"Why Don't You And I" (with Alex Band of the Calling)---this is the version that was released as a single and for some reason,I like Alex's singing better than Chad Kroeger (who appears on the album version).Go figure.

"Smooth" (remix)---a likable dance club remix

"Maria Maria (Wyclef remix)"---a more hip-hop sounding remix

"Foo Foo"---a fun,slightly remixed version of this festive tune

"Manana"---a great outtake from 'Shaman' that sounds very Stevie Wonder-ish.

"Truth Don Die"---another superb outtake from 'Shaman'.Features Tony Lindsay on lead vocals.

"Let Me Love You Tonight"---a breezy outtake from 'Shaman'

"Curacion (Sunlight On Water)"---another outtake from 'Shaman',this is a mesmerizing instrumental.Carlos's guitar playing is just gorgeous.

"Victory Is Won"---I think this is the same exact version that appears on 'Shaman',but I could be wrong.In any case,it's nice to have this song on this CD,where it's in better company.

"Come To My World"---features Andy Vargas on lead vocals.Another wonderful outtake from 'Shaman'.Midtemo Latin groove that sizzles!

"Primavera" featuring Jerry Rivera---as you know,this song originally appeared on 'Supernatural'.This version is slightly different,but just as intoxicating.

i personally like Welcome... i think it's got a great vibe to it, very soulful and kinda surreal