MOONFLOWER

Many feel this was the last great SANTANA release and it's hard not to agree with that. Part live and part studio album, this is a weird beast in that respect. I'm not sure why they decided to do it this way but it does work. The studio tracks are exceptional for the most part. Keyboardist Tom Costerhad a hand in arranging or composing almost every studio track and obviously the man is extremely talented and gifted.The record label had been after SANTANA for years to make music like they did in the early on and to get off the Jazz / Fusion kick that started with "Caravanserai" in 1972. Well they did that with this album (1977) and it was a success, then throw in these live classics and people bought this double album at will. More than ten million copies world wide in fact. It didn't hurt that their cover of the ZOMBIES "She's Not There" was a hit.

"Dawn / Go Within" has this orchestral-like intro then some vocal melodies before it kicks in with bass and drums standing out. "Caraval" and the next two tracks are live.This one is catchy and uptempo with vocals. It blends into "Let The Children Play" where the guitar leads the way to start. I like the organ 2 minutes in. It blends into "Jugando" where we get some amazing percussion.That was fantastic ! Back to the studio tracks with three in a row starting with "I'll Be Waiting" which sounds like a seventies AM hit but it is well done. Some laid back but intricate guitar 2 1/2 minutes in. "Zulu" picks up before a minute and the bass is very chunky.The guitar and keyboards shine here. "Bahia" has so much to like on it like the piano, bass, percussion and guitar. "Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen" is live of course along with the next two tracks to end the first disc. This first one has a little faster tempo than the studio version.The guitar is by far the highlight of this one. "Dance Sister Dance" is catchy with percussion, guitar and vocals leading the way. I like when it settles some before 4 minutes with synths. "Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)" is great as the guitar soars and the organ floats. Carlos is lighting it up 4 minutes in.

Disc two begins with "She's Not There". I do prefer the ZOMBIES version except of course for Carlos' guitar work. "Flor D'Luna (Moonflower)" has a relaxed beat and guitar with the organ floating in the background. Back to a live tune with "Soul Sacrifice / Head Hands And Feet". This is 14 minutes of bliss. Just fantastic ! "El Morocco" features some pretty good shredding from Carlos and the keyboards are incredible as well. "Transcendance" has a beat with piano then synths. Vocals before a minute. It picks up before 3 minutes with guitar. Back to more live music with the final track "Savor / Toussaint L'Overture". Amazing percussion in this one and we get vocals after 8 minutes. A great way to end this album.

I must admit I was surprised at how good the studio tracks are on this double album. In hindsight it would have been cool if they had just released a studio album, but hey as I said earlier this all works out very well.