Little personal story - I've been to two album signing/line up to meet 'n' greets ever. In about 1993 I heard that Carlos would be at a table at L.A. Tower Records from something like 6 to 8 PM. So I drove 50 miles, got there before 5 and the line seemed like it stretched out to China. The end time arrived and I wasn't even close to the store entrance door. But he stayed. And stayed. Over an hour after the scheduled end time, I MADE it. And not only that, I tried to stretch the rule and get TWO signatures, both Abraxas (on the insert poster of the band) and inside the sun on the front of Caravanserai. I sheepishly asked the assistant. He said, "well we really have to have a limit of one because SO many came. But stand right there to the side and I'll get it done." I stood to the side and, WTF, WTMF, 2 minutes later CARLOS STEPPED OUT, STOOD BY ME, PUT HIM ARM AROUND ME AND POSED while my g/f snapped a picture. Is that one fukin life moment or what?
7 years ago I recovered a depression listenning Caravanserei with my headphones every night...Mystical album, transcendant music...Makes travelling my soul in really good vibes.
Caravanserai is probably my favorite santana album, its so beautiful. Have you heard borboletta, welcome, and iluminations? Its basically what came out right after caravanserai.
The instrumental section at the end of Black Magic Woman is one of the most blistering studio performances I've ever heard. It absolutely *kills* me when radio stations cut it off!
@@robbiecox I did for many years when I was younger.. until I started really playing it on guitar with all the power cords and those little nuances Carlos puts in I find it to be really really cool.I may try to get the whole thing if I can remember how to play the rest of that stick it on my TH-cam channel with all the rest of my crap playing but laughing and having fun.. distressing from the road after being on there two to three weeks..
First Santana album I ever owned. A friend of mine gave it to me for Xmas, and I, not intentionally, gave him the same album as a gift. LOL Always loved the album....
Caravanserai and Borboletta are sleepers that once imbibed are addictively intoxicating. Just to try a taste, maybe take a gander at Waves Within. One minute of that and I rushed out to buy Caravanserai.
I listened to borboletta a couple of times a few years ago and didn’t think much of it. I’ve revisited it here recently and it has definitely grown on me. Absolutely sublime playing. I laugh at people who say Carlos can’t hang with the fusion guys. .
@@joeyblowey8582 Yes I remember when it came out if it was going to be better than Abraxas, it was so amazing, the Guitar work and the sharing leads and moving in and out with the Hammond ! Hard songs slow ones fun songs, the percussion got so much better and complex, its just a masterpiece for me and I'm a huge Prog, Rock & Fusion fan also and this is firmly in my top 5 albums ever !! Thanks for posting ! : )
@@jeffhadland3705 Hey Guys this is for all of you ..... Try to get the Santana lll "Legacy Edition" CD, it's wrapped in a see-threw grey sleeve and has nice liner notes, 2 CDs, the second CD is the famous Live from Fillmore West last show July 4th 1971' it's 11 songs from that show and has the great live Jams "In a Silent Way" and "Gumbo" its really good and a bit pricey but it's so Good !! It' also has extra tracks on the studio side ! You can find it on Amazon, I hope you can find it and get it, you'll love it I'm sure. : )
Can't fault your top 4, except for me "Caravanserai" comes in at nr 1. Knocked me flat when i heard it first time and still does. Probably his most ambitious album.
@@TheOldDylanGuy well you’re here now fella and most welcome. Some utterly amazing tunes coming your way if you continue down this deep rabbit hole but I’d start with Carlos stunning debut,Abraxas and take it from there.
In Puerto Rico, where I'm from, those first three albums killed. Santana may have done more for rock there than anyone, by combining those unbelievable guitar riffs with kick-ass salsa and boleros (slow-dance ballads). Back in the day "Samba Pa Ti" was the slow dance you wanted at "marquesina" parties for the magic of getting close with the girl you liked. My peeps will know exactly what I mean.
I definitely agree with you on blues for Salvador.. that the title track in itself is worth the price of admission.. what else was really good to are the Santana Brothers if you can find it that.. Many don't realize Jorge Santana and his band Malo are really really good.. not just big-hit suavecito but a whole lot more
@@truckerkevthepaidtourist Yes, Brothers was a good one as well. I had one Malo album in my collection. Havana Moon contained some great covers (title track and "Who do you love?"), plus Willie Nelson singing "They all went to Mexico". Very enjoyable stuff.
Caravanserai and in particular,Song of the Wind,are things of beauty. Santana must surely be mentioned in the same breath as the legendary greats,he certainly is in MY head.
When the pop-oriented stuff crept in, I started to tune out on Santana. I always preffered the Latin centered earlier material. It's a shame the band couldn't have come to terms with Chepito Areas on the reunion album Santana 4.
The problem with Santana's output since Supernatural is, Supernatural sold a crap-ton of units and thereafter Carlos spent much of his time trying to replicate it.
Nice🤘 This what everyone needs to pass the time!! I'm a late bloomer on Santana got 5 of them and looking been looking heavy for more now I have a great idea! Thank you Pete!! I look forward to these keep doing what you do just amazing info love it!
I'm 70. Been a big Santana fan since Woodstock. Saw Miles Davis open for him doing Bitch's Brew at Stony Brook. Dropped out of a Master's program at Cal Poly S. Luis Obispo and took a course at UCCC that made me very gainfully employed for 30 years, just had to mention it, small blankin' world. Love your stuff, thanks for what you do.
Bitches brew and Santana Live! Two Killers! If you haven’t heard iluminations by santana and alice coltrane I highly recommend it, it has a similarity to bitches brew actually.
@@donisaac5789 In this age of autotune and so called music made by people that are not musicians, it's nice to see people like you with excellent taste in music
I always call zebop more than winning!! lol because everybody had that album for that radio song only..I listen to zebop quite a bit I think it's up there in my top five it's a great one I like the Alex ligerwood yrs
pjones8404 we have very similar taste for Santana. 3 of your top 5 are same, and the other 2 I love, they just didn’t make the top 5, but would absolutely be # 6 and 7! You have excellent musical taste
Thank you- you inspired me to dig deeper with this amazing band. I know some of Santana's greatest, most classic pieces, but I definitely have some catching up to do!
HEY PETE up here in alberta canada....Thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing what you do especially now.Cray times.We need more folks like you on this planet.
Carlos said in an interview, that he thought Abraxas was his best album, musically speaking. I have to agree! Their first was fantastic, but I think that band peaked on Abraxas. Otherwise, I agree with your rankings! Thanks for posting! :-)))
Listening to Carlos in a radio interview in the 1980s, he said Welcome was his favourite album. After leaving the band Mike Shrieve said his last album Lotus was his personal favourite. For me have to agree with Mike, one of the finest live albums EVER!! Studio favourite Caravanserai & Borboleta
Samba pa´ti is an incredible creation by Santana, which transports you to a different dimension. Pure sensitivity and virtuosity. Black Magic woman another awesome tune
Thanks for these listings. I bought a bunch of early santana albums, from the debut through inner secrets to do a deep dive. Glad I did. Always liked Santana but didn’t know much more than the hits. I came to SOT to hear your thoughts(always glad I listen to your thoughts), and I have to say I’m so impressed with that whole 70’s era. For me, so far, Santana 3 is the best listen...
Ever since raiding my mother's records as a high schooler in the early 90's, my favorite has always been the guitar duel that you mentioned on that beautiful 3rd album.
Once Carlos went into his Fusion Period-He entered his best work-From 74' ILLUMINATION'S with Alice Coltrane is beyond otherworldly-And of course LOVE,DEVOTION, SURRENDER with Mahavishnu John McLaughlin speaks for itself.There is a track on ILLUMINATION'S called "Angel of Sunlight" that is some of Santana's greatest playing ...
Great show Pete well I seem to have your top ten in my collection and I rank them almost the same as your good self , thanks for rekindling my intrest in music even to the point of some new genrers I knew little or nothing about ..cheers from austria
I've seen Santana 8 times from early 80's to '02. His 80's early 90's concerts were amazing. Been a fan since I was a tween & prefer his music up to & including Milagro. Thanks for sharing your ranking. Cheers!
Awesome list as a big fan of Santana your list got it right you cant beat the first 4 studio album's the album's form the late 70s and early 80s are good album's .l was happy to see you add it Welcome on your list its one of favorite albums from the early 70s .l was very happy you taked about moonflwoer and lotus . When .l was a about nine years old . I got my frist stereo l did not have a lot records. But my mom did she relly got me in to music and my mom being from mexico she was big fan of Santana she had the first 4 studio album's she was a fun of Latin rock she had rock groups like malo el chicano sapo willie bobo Azteca. Chango Nubila And a lot fania all stars she also had other great rock bands like the Doors the Beatles and the stones in her record collection so she relly turn me on to a lot of great music but Santana was always my favorite artist for Christmas and my birthday l stop asking for toys asked for record albums and l always asked for Santana albums at one point my Santana collection was from 1969 to 1987 with the last album being blues for Salvador. And that being my last Santana album . I heard a lot of his new stuff and its good lm happy that he still has that magical guitar playing that makes him great !! Thank you for list.
If I would rank all your " Ranking The Studio Albums " shows so far this particular one would be my favorite! Man you know and have a vast knowledge about music bands and players!I am impressed! Cheers!
I agree 98% but I wound have caravanserai as number 1. What about his solo/collaboration albums, the swing of delight is for me the best one, Carlos playing with the second great miles davis quintet.
The only Santana I ever owned was the first two albums. I never really ventured past that. But they way you described the Caravanserai album really intrigued me. I am a huge fan of prog and fusion and typically enjoy instrumental music as much as, if not more than vocal. Well now I have added this album to my must have list thanks to you! Right up my alley! I love it. Thank you!
Appreciate this., thanks for running down your list. It shows me where I'm at when I can say my favorite is "Illuminations" where he collaborated with Alice Coltrane, definitely Chimnoy stage. I guess it's his most critically panned album. There are many of his songs I would like more than any one song on the album, but between Angel of Water & Angel of Light, it's hard to say I like any other album over this. Inspiration comes in many ways.
gaza davies oh man that album was just the iceberg when I heard it...I discovered Festival years later after not being able to find where most of the live stuff on moonflower originated from especially Verao Vermelho which is hidden within the medley on moonflower. Opening track Dawn/Go Within just takes you on a musical ride into the iconic world of Santana 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
A great album to mention here that Carlos did with his brother and nephew (I believe) released in 1994 called Santana Brothers is really awesome, but obviously not a Santana band studio album
I took your advice and hopped onto Spotify and listened to Caravanserai. I figured it’s been over 40 years since I last listened to it, mainly because Unfortunately I bought my copy on 8 Track. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first three, although I liked it but The 8 Track killed it. Listening to it again. Wow what a great experience. Totally loved it. Good recommendation. An old friend always considered it their best.
Moonflower ! ok - some tracks are live but the most are studio. Not one weak track on this double album ! I like your videos , please make a steve hillage ranking !
I'm happy you mentioned Moonflower and Lotus towards the end, those were some of Santana's best! I tend to agree with your rankings, although Santana's first five albums shuffle around as my favorite.
Really enjoyed your ranking of Santana's albums. Here's the way I rank them (or at least the ones that I have). 9. "Supernatural" 8. "Amigos" 7. "Moonflower" 6. "Lotus" 5. "Welcome" 4. "Caravanserai" 3. "Santana I" 2. "Santana III" 1. "Abraxas" Keep up the good work!
Saw Santana on the Inner Secrets tour(That was the tittle of the album in England), an OK album that you've probably ranked in the right spot. I would put Borboletta a lot higher just because of the track: Promise of a fisherman, one of their greatest tracks in my opinion. I like Amigos and Festival a lot, being Spanish myself but Abraxas has to be my numero 1.
Lotus rips. Fantastic live album. I can't speak for all of Santana's catalog but I think III would be number one for me, and I give a special honorable mention to the side album Carlos did with Mahavishnu John McLaughlin and Larry Young, Love Devotion Surrender. It's a brain melter.
You saved me some typing by having a list that was nearly identical to mine. The top 10 were identical. Thanks for the list, Pete! BTW, Moonflower would be in seventh place for me. Always liked it a lot, and it was the second one I bought (after Marathon, strangely enough).
"Shape Shifter" and "Santana IV" are easily the best Santana albums in the past decade. I would love the next album to resemble what's on "Shape Shifter" and/or the Woodstock line-up albums.
Pete, thank you for the Ranking the Album Series. It is always great to see everyone's rankings and comments. Here are my Top 5: 1. Abraxis 2. Santana I 3. Caravanserai 4. Santana III 5. Borboletta
Welcome, Borboletta, Caravanserai, Santana, 3... are my faves. I'm more into his jazzy stuff. His solo albums Oneness, The Swing Of Delight and Havanna Moon are also excellent!
Santana III: best Latin Rock album, ever by Santana. This has the original "Woodstock" line-up, plus a huge addition of Neal Schon (lead/rhythm guitar) and to a minor degree, Coke Escovedo (percussion), and a cool guest appearance by the horn section of Tower of Power (Everybody's Everything). Abraxas & Santana are my top three, Moonflower & Santana IV round out my top five. Santana has produced other albums that are hit and miss. Santana's two collaborations with Buddy Mike's (R.I.P) are great and I saw them in concert together in Wuerzberg, Germany and Buddy stole the show! Santana is definitely in the top five for live performanes.
Thanks Pete! Santana was one of my favorite concerts. I saw Carlos live at Sunrise Theater in S Florida. Santana top 5 Albums 1. Santana III 2. Santana 3. Welcome 4. Blues for Salvador 5. Havana Moon
As a hispanic, Santana was/is a constant in my life. Im not a very dedicated fan, but I could never escape it. My favorite Santana album is Santana III. The energy on that reocrd is out of this world. But my favorite Santana song is “All the love of the universe” from Caravanserai. My God what a masterpiece. Now I can’t stand 80’s Santana, hate it with a passion. It wasn’t until the Milagro album in 1992 that I was able to get back into Santana once again.
Only had the 2 albums 1 caravanserais and 2 abraxas. Always on my high rotation for the last 40 years. Looks like I need to buy a couple more. Thanks for the show. Subscribed
I like Santana III, Caravanserai, Abraxas, the First one, Zebop!, Supernatural. Love Devotion Surrender with John McLaughlin and the one Live with Buddy Miles
Hey, l love the Gregg Rolie, & Neal Schon era of Santana the best... my suggestion is try listening to Abraxas Pool from 1997 with all former members of the Santana Band ....F n’ A some great stuff 🎤🎹🥁🎸
Pete, your comments about Caravanserai were perfect. Also, I always kind of liked Spirits Dancing in the Flesh, especially after I saw them on that tour at the Fox Theater in St. Louis in 1990.
Only own 5. Lol in 1974 or 75 I owned 4 or 5 on 8 track. Will give credit to SANTANA on longevity & extensive discography. I actually play the 2016 Santana cd a lot. I like it a lot. SANTANA 4 / like the early 80 s as well. Great episode PETE. Thank you
Another eagerly anticipated and enjoyable review. Your musical taste is impeccable (excepting Kiss but hey). Your top four are the same as mine, but I would rate Shango way higher than Amigos, Inner Secrets, Welcome etc, admittedly because Gregg Rolie is on it. Oh and if anyone's reading this, listen to 'Dance Sister Dance' live from the LP 'Moonflower'. When the keys kick in you will cry.
Been following Carlos since 1970. Lived in Hawaii during this time and was there when he played with Buddy Miles at the crater festival in Diamond Head Crater. Good times. I have all the albums you mentioned and then some. All in cd's as well as vinyl. Wore out the 3rd album twice, Abraxas twice and Caravansari 3 times. They are still my top 3 and Welcome and Borboletta round out my top 5. Great review.
Caravanserai has always been my go to Santana album, still play it a lot now, Waves Within now that's what i call feel good music, 4 minutes of sheer bliss. After that it's tricky, close between Santana111, Abraxis, Debut, then Amigos, Welcome, Barbolleta, and the rest up to Moonflower and Lotus the live albums, after that, Santana went off the radar for me, but i will have to check out Santana IV.
Another very very very hard rank to go....what can I say...strong as Iron, well done!! I would go # 1 with Santana III and if I would say only one Santana album this would be sacred fire - live in South America!!! But be prepared to find 100 fans with 20 different # 1 spot!!
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 84 วันนี้!! คู่เอก "ก้องศึก vs เมืองไทย"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3kuzsAIDf1c/mqdefault.jpg)
Little personal story - I've been to two album signing/line up to meet 'n' greets ever. In about 1993 I heard that Carlos would be at a table at L.A. Tower Records from something like 6 to 8 PM. So I drove 50 miles, got there before 5 and the line seemed like it stretched out to China. The end time arrived and I wasn't even close to the store entrance door. But he stayed. And stayed. Over an hour after the scheduled end time, I MADE it. And not only that, I tried to stretch the rule and get TWO signatures, both Abraxas (on the insert poster of the band) and inside the sun on the front of Caravanserai. I sheepishly asked the assistant. He said, "well we really have to have a limit of one because SO many came. But stand right there to the side and I'll get it done." I stood to the side and, WTF, WTMF, 2 minutes later CARLOS STEPPED OUT, STOOD BY ME, PUT HIM ARM AROUND ME AND POSED while my g/f snapped a picture. Is that one fukin life moment or what?
Bill Woo lucky dog 👊👍
@Marco von Catfish Check out this Santana clip. It might bring tears to one's eyes. th-cam.com/video/s2rVpnWnRUU/w-d-xo.html
7 years ago I recovered a depression listenning Caravanserei with my headphones every night...Mystical album, transcendant music...Makes travelling my soul in really good vibes.
Caravanserai is probably my favorite santana album, its so beautiful. Have you heard borboletta, welcome, and iluminations? Its basically what came out right after caravanserai.
The instrumental section at the end of Black Magic Woman is one of the most blistering studio performances I've ever heard. It absolutely *kills* me when radio stations cut it off!
yes indeed some don't like to play the full Black Magic woman segue into the Gypsy Queen
I've had this album since it was released and always lifted the arm when that other thing started. The same with the end of Layla.
@@robbiecox Wow...stunned. 😲
@@robbiecox I did for many years when I was younger.. until I started really playing it on guitar with all the power cords and those little nuances Carlos puts in I find it to be really really cool.I may try to get the whole thing if I can remember how to play the rest of that stick it on my TH-cam channel with all the rest of my crap playing but laughing and having fun.. distressing from the road after being on there two to three weeks..
radios suck
I am enjoying your series of album reviews and rankings, Pete. Thank you.
Santana III is my favorite Santana album. It's a guitar extravaganza.
Glad that "Moonflower" got a mention.
Awesome album, I love his guitar tone in that era
First Santana album I ever owned. A friend of mine gave it to me for Xmas, and I, not intentionally, gave him the same album as a gift. LOL Always loved the album....
@@anthonyrodriguez625 Yeah! Listen to that "Europa" version... amazing!
Moonflower is spectacular...
Caravanserai and Borboletta are sleepers that once imbibed are addictively intoxicating. Just to try a taste, maybe take a gander at Waves Within. One minute of that and I rushed out to buy Caravanserai.
"Promise of a Fisherman" off Borboletta blew my mind.
Totally agree with you. they are my top two. Can't fault any of the early Santana but I am not so keen on the poppy type stuff that came later.
Song of the Wind is a good instrumental track on Caravanserai
I listened to borboletta a couple of times a few years ago and didn’t think much of it. I’ve revisited it here recently and it has definitely grown on me. Absolutely sublime playing. I laugh at people who say Carlos can’t hang with the fusion guys. .
Hmmm... I listened to it like twice since 1995. These sleepy sounds don't turn me on.
The Masterpiece First, by a Country Mile !!!
1, Santana lll ...... Just Perfect !!!
2, Abraxas
3, Caravanserai
4, Santana 1
5, Welcome ...... Going Home, Flame Sky !!!
6, Borboletta
7, Festival ...... Revalations !!!
Santana III is my favorite as well
@@joeyblowey8582 Yes I remember when it came out if it was going to be better than Abraxas, it was so amazing, the Guitar work and the sharing leads and moving in and out with the Hammond ! Hard songs slow ones fun songs, the percussion got so much better and complex, its just a masterpiece for me and I'm a huge Prog, Rock & Fusion fan also and this is firmly in my top 5 albums ever !!
Thanks for posting ! : )
@ Ronnie Fransworth-Pretty much the same as mine
Nice list!!👍👍
@@jeffhadland3705 Hey Guys this is for all of you ..... Try to get the Santana lll "Legacy Edition" CD, it's wrapped in a see-threw grey sleeve and has nice liner notes, 2 CDs, the second CD is the famous Live from Fillmore West last show July 4th 1971' it's 11 songs from that show and has the great live Jams "In a Silent Way" and "Gumbo" its really good and a bit pricey but it's so Good !! It' also has extra tracks on the studio side ! You can find it on Amazon, I hope you can find it and get it, you'll love it I'm sure. : )
Can't fault your top 4, except for me "Caravanserai" comes in at nr 1. Knocked me flat when i heard it first time and still does. Probably his most ambitious album.
as a fanatic from his debut,Caravanserai is top for me.
What did you feel the first time you heard 'Song of the Wind?'
exactly.
@@TheCornishCockney first time hearing it now for me. Absolutely incredibly. I’m embarrassed I’m such a late comer to such an amazing artist.
@@TheOldDylanGuy well you’re here now fella and most welcome.
Some utterly amazing tunes coming your way if you continue down this deep rabbit hole but I’d start with Carlos stunning debut,Abraxas and take it from there.
In Puerto Rico, where I'm from, those first three albums killed. Santana may have done more for rock there than anyone, by combining those unbelievable guitar riffs with kick-ass salsa and boleros (slow-dance ballads). Back in the day "Samba Pa Ti" was the slow dance you wanted at "marquesina" parties for the magic of getting close with the girl you liked. My peeps will know exactly what I mean.
To me, Gregg Rolie is a very underrated vocalist. Love the early stuff, but many of Santana's albums are very good.
Definitely
"Let it infiltrate your entire existence." I do believe that's my favorite thing you've ever said on your show
not only is caravanserai Santana's best album (followed closely by welcome), it's one of THE best albums of all time. a masterpiece
Blues for Salvador and Havana Moon are great Carlos Santana solo albums.
I definitely agree with you on blues for Salvador.. that the title track in itself is worth the price of admission.. what else was really good to are the Santana Brothers if you can find it that.. Many don't realize Jorge Santana and his band Malo are really really good.. not just big-hit suavecito but a whole lot more
@@truckerkevthepaidtourist Yes, Brothers was a good one as well. I had one Malo album in my collection. Havana Moon contained some great covers (title track and "Who do you love?"), plus Willie Nelson singing "They all went to Mexico". Very enjoyable stuff.
Caravanserai and in particular,Song of the Wind,are things of beauty.
Santana must surely be mentioned in the same breath as the legendary greats,he certainly is in MY head.
Totally agree, caravanserai is possibly my favorite album oat
Thank you for mentioning MOONFLOWER and LOTUS.....those are incredible albums!!
For fans of caravanserai type Santana, you would also probably enjoy Mahavishnu orchestra albums like “Visions of the Emerald Beyond” etc.
Santana was great... Really some of the most original artists within the rock spectrum.. Absolutely phenomenal
When the pop-oriented stuff crept in, I started to tune out on Santana. I always preffered the Latin centered earlier material. It's a shame the band couldn't have come to terms with Chepito Areas on the reunion album Santana 4.
The problem with Santana's output since Supernatural is, Supernatural sold a crap-ton of units and thereafter Carlos spent much of his time trying to replicate it.
It's a great album, tho!
@@bigsquisums I won't argue that point. My point is that he didn't need to revisit that format as often as he did.
@@DinsdalePiranha67 well he did, because those albums made him more popular
Nice🤘 This what everyone needs to pass the time!! I'm a late bloomer on Santana got 5 of them and looking been looking heavy for more now I have a great idea! Thank you Pete!! I look forward to these keep doing what you do just amazing info love it!
I'm 70. Been a big Santana fan since Woodstock. Saw Miles Davis open for him doing Bitch's Brew at Stony Brook. Dropped out of a Master's program at Cal Poly S. Luis Obispo and took a course at UCCC that made me very gainfully employed for 30 years, just had to mention it, small blankin' world. Love your stuff, thanks for what you do.
Bitches brew and Santana Live! Two Killers! If you haven’t heard iluminations by santana and alice coltrane I highly recommend it, it has a similarity to bitches brew actually.
@@donisaac5789 In this age of autotune and so called music made by people that are not musicians, it's nice to see people like you with excellent taste in music
Thanks for all the content! Keeps me always looking forward to something.
1 - Zebop
2 - Marathon
3 - Shango
4 - Moonflower
5 - Inner Secrets
6 - Santana
7 - Abraxas
8 - Amigos
9 - Spirits Dancing in the Flesh
10 - Festival
I always call zebop more than winning!! lol
because everybody had that album for that radio song only..I listen to zebop quite a bit I think it's up there in my top five it's a great one I like the Alex ligerwood yrs
very very good pick, just inner secrets in 2 place
pjones8404 we have very similar taste for Santana. 3 of your top 5 are same, and the other 2 I love, they just didn’t make the top 5, but would absolutely be # 6 and 7! You have excellent musical taste
Completely agree
Thank you- you inspired me to dig deeper with this amazing band. I know some of Santana's greatest, most classic pieces, but I definitely have some catching up to do!
HEY PETE up here in alberta canada....Thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing what you do especially now.Cray times.We need more folks like you on this planet.
Caravanserai
Abraxas
Debut
III
Welcome
Borboletta
Amigos
IV
That is all I have.
Buy Moonflower, a double live LP with a few studio tracks, including an awesome cover of the Zombies 'She's not there'.
@@SixStringSteve I have Moonflower and Lotus on LP, but I didn't include them because they are mostly live.
Carlos said in an interview, that he thought Abraxas was his best album, musically speaking. I have to agree! Their first was fantastic, but I think that band peaked on Abraxas. Otherwise, I agree with your rankings! Thanks for posting! :-)))
Outstanding band in Marathon, Zebop and Shangó. A very fine combination of Hard Rock and Disco with Carlos' fiery guitar riffs and solos.
Listening to Carlos in a radio interview in the 1980s, he said Welcome was his favourite album. After leaving the band Mike Shrieve said his last album Lotus was his personal favourite. For me have to agree with Mike, one of the finest live albums EVER!! Studio favourite Caravanserai & Borboleta
I liked Milagro a lot. "Make somebody happy", "Somewhere in heaven" etc.
Awesome album, not to mention we don't have to wait
It's Also One Of My Five Best Picked. Thy Left Out
'Viva Santana Album'
I Like That One Too.
‘Open Invitation’ and ‘All I Ever Wanted’ are my favorite Santana songs. Back to back 1978-1979. Great memories.
Those are definitely great Santana songs, I love them too. “Inner Secrets” and “Marathon” are great solid rock albums in my opinion.
Samba pa´ti is an incredible creation by Santana, which transports you to a different dimension. Pure sensitivity and virtuosity. Black Magic woman another awesome tune
Thanks for these listings. I bought a bunch of early santana albums, from the debut through inner secrets to do a deep dive. Glad I did. Always liked Santana but didn’t know much more than the hits. I came to SOT to hear your thoughts(always glad I listen to your thoughts), and I have to say I’m so impressed with that whole 70’s era. For me, so far, Santana 3 is the best listen...
Blues for Salvador? I really like that one. It was a "solo' album I guess because it was billed as by Carlos Santana, rather than simply Santana.
Ever since raiding my mother's records as a high schooler in the early 90's, my favorite has always been the guitar duel that you mentioned on that beautiful 3rd album.
Santana lll
Santana l
Abraxas
Caravanserai
Moonflower
Welcome
Borboleta
Marathon
LIVE Lotus.
Pookie Martinez live in Mexico city was great also
Great list! I would just have Caravanserai a little higher
My two favorites: zebop and freedom
@@robertcarrasco2504 yes great live set
Lotus! My man. 🤜🤛
Once Carlos went into his Fusion Period-He entered his best work-From 74' ILLUMINATION'S with Alice Coltrane is beyond otherworldly-And of course LOVE,DEVOTION, SURRENDER with Mahavishnu John McLaughlin speaks for itself.There is a track on ILLUMINATION'S called "Angel of Sunlight" that is some of Santana's greatest playing ...
I love "Love, Devotion, Surrender."
you said it ! Angel of Sunlight is amazing...
Great show Pete well I seem to have your top ten in my collection and I rank them almost the same as your good self , thanks for rekindling my intrest in music even to the point of some new genrers I knew little or nothing about ..cheers from austria
My Ranking of Santana, Worst to Best:
26 - Shaman
25 - Africa Speaks
24 - Freedom
23 - Corozon
22 - Spirits Dancing in the Flesh
21 - Milagro
20 - All that I Am
19 - Guitar Heaven
18 - Beyond Appearances
17 - Marathon
16 - Blessings and Miracles (New Album)
15 - Supernatural
14 - Moonflower
13 - Inner Secrets
12 - Shape Shifter
11 - Zebop!
10 - Borboletta
9 - Festival
8 - Shango!
7 - Amigos
6 - Welcome
5 - Caravanserai
4 - Santana IV
3 - Abraxas
2 - Santana III
1 - Santana
Santana with Rolie and Schon
👍
I've seen Santana 8 times from early 80's to '02. His 80's early 90's concerts were amazing. Been a fan since I was a tween & prefer his music up to & including Milagro. Thanks for sharing your ranking. Cheers!
Awesome list as a big fan of Santana your list got it right you cant beat the first 4 studio album's the album's form the late 70s and early 80s are good album's .l was happy to see you add it Welcome on your list its one of favorite albums from the early 70s .l was very happy you taked about moonflwoer and lotus . When .l was a about nine years old . I got my frist stereo l did not have a lot records. But my mom did she relly got me in to music and my mom being from mexico she was big fan of Santana she had the first 4 studio album's she was a fun of Latin rock she had rock groups like malo el chicano sapo willie bobo Azteca. Chango Nubila And a lot fania all stars she also had other great rock bands like the Doors the Beatles and the stones in her record collection so she relly turn me on to a lot of great music but Santana was always my favorite artist for Christmas and my birthday l stop asking for toys asked for record albums and l always asked for Santana albums at one point my Santana collection was from 1969 to 1987 with the last album being blues for Salvador. And that being my last Santana album . I heard a lot of his new stuff and its good lm happy that he still has that magical guitar playing that makes him great !! Thank you for list.
If I would rank all your " Ranking The Studio Albums " shows so far this particular one would be my favorite! Man you know and have a vast knowledge about music bands and players!I am impressed! Cheers!
Thanks!
Another great countdown Pete. Thanks. Glad you mention Moonflower too, love that album.
I agree 98% but I wound have caravanserai as number 1. What about his solo/collaboration albums, the swing of delight is for me the best one, Carlos playing with the second great miles davis quintet.
Swing of Delight wonderful.
I love the Santana Shorter Band Montreux 88 too !!
The only Santana I ever owned was the first two albums. I never really ventured past that. But they way you described the Caravanserai album really intrigued me. I am a huge fan of prog and fusion and typically enjoy instrumental music as much as, if not more than vocal. Well now I have added this album to my must have list thanks to you! Right up my alley! I love it. Thank you!
Recently got santana 3 and i think its better than the first, not sure on abraxas, havent heard it in a while
Top Ten. 1. Abraxas 2. Debut 3. Caravanserai 4. III 5. Zebop 6. Amigos 7. Welcome 8. IV 9. Shango 10. Inner Secrets
Always loved the little known "Swing of Delight".
Appreciate this., thanks for running down your list. It shows me where I'm at when I can say my favorite is "Illuminations" where he collaborated with Alice Coltrane, definitely Chimnoy stage. I guess it's his most critically panned album. There are many of his songs I would like more than any one song on the album, but between Angel of Water & Angel of Light, it's hard to say I like any other album over this. Inspiration comes in many ways.
Alex Ligertwood.. Jimmy Dewar.. Maggie Bell.. Frankie Miller..Davie Pattison... All born within a 20 mile radius 💪
If I hadn't descovered Moonflower first, I don't think I would of ever got round to listening to the rest! An amazing album!
gaza davies oh man that album was just the iceberg when I heard it...I discovered Festival years later after not being able to find where most of the live stuff on moonflower originated from especially Verao Vermelho which is hidden within the medley on moonflower. Opening track Dawn/Go Within just takes you on a musical ride into the iconic world of Santana 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
@@rattlehead85 Totally agree with what you say there fella! It's an album that does not grow tired!
A great album to mention here that Carlos did with his brother and nephew (I believe) released in 1994 called Santana Brothers is really awesome, but obviously not a Santana band studio album
At home dealing with moderate virus symptoms-thanks for all your work! Hours of entertaining analysis!
I took your advice and hopped onto Spotify and listened to Caravanserai. I figured it’s been over 40 years since I last listened to it, mainly because Unfortunately I bought my copy on 8 Track. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first three, although I liked it but The 8 Track killed it.
Listening to it again. Wow what a great experience. Totally loved it. Good recommendation. An old friend always considered it their best.
Al fin algo sabroso en este canal!
Moonflower ! ok - some tracks are live but the most are studio. Not one weak track on this double album ! I like your videos , please make a steve hillage ranking !
I'm happy you mentioned Moonflower and Lotus towards the end, those were some of Santana's best! I tend to agree with your rankings, although Santana's first five albums shuffle around as my favorite.
Caravanserai is the One , Wow!...Lots of Great Sanatana Albums, ..luv Welcome & Borbaletra too & Lotus live Album..Yikes!!🔥♥️
Thanks for pointing out Dance Sister Dance - one of my favorite Santana tunes
Amazing how you keep on ranking the stars ... always a pleasure
Wow! Your first 7 are mine as well...same order. Nothing beats that debut LP!
Really enjoyed your ranking of Santana's albums. Here's the way I rank them (or at least the ones that I have).
9. "Supernatural"
8. "Amigos"
7. "Moonflower"
6. "Lotus"
5. "Welcome"
4. "Caravanserai"
3. "Santana I"
2. "Santana III"
1. "Abraxas"
Keep up the good work!
Saw Santana on the Inner Secrets tour(That was the tittle of the album in England), an OK album that you've probably ranked in the right spot. I would put Borboletta a lot higher just because of the track: Promise of a fisherman, one of their greatest tracks in my opinion. I like Amigos and Festival a lot, being Spanish myself but Abraxas has to be my numero 1.
@ That's not what Pete said. Listen again!
Promise of a Fisherman is my favorite Santana track. If I recall correctly, it was originally done by Sergio Mendez and Brazil '66.
Jesus Chambers I know...…………...he screwed up the title. It's definitely Inner Secrets. No biggie.
Lotus rips. Fantastic live album. I can't speak for all of Santana's catalog but I think III would be number one for me, and I give a special honorable mention to the side album Carlos did with Mahavishnu John McLaughlin and Larry Young, Love Devotion Surrender. It's a brain melter.
Number 1 I’d say is Santana 3
2 caravanserai one of the most underrated albums of all time
3 abraxas
4 self titled
You saved me some typing by having a list that was nearly identical to mine. The top 10 were identical. Thanks for the list, Pete! BTW, Moonflower would be in seventh place for me. Always liked it a lot, and it was the second one I bought (after Marathon, strangely enough).
I really enjoy santana. Seen them in concert. Love your santana T shirt.
"Shape Shifter" and "Santana IV" are easily the best Santana albums in the past decade. I would love the next album to resemble what's on "Shape Shifter" and/or the Woodstock line-up albums.
Pete, thank you for the Ranking the Album Series. It is always great to see everyone's rankings and comments.
Here are my Top 5:
1. Abraxis
2. Santana I
3. Caravanserai
4. Santana III
5. Borboletta
transcendence is a feel good song man haha "keep smiling/ keep smiling /keep on dancing...."
i love how you have a shirt of almost every band you review :D keep on rocking
Welcome, Borboletta, Caravanserai, Santana, 3... are my faves. I'm more into his jazzy stuff. His solo albums Oneness, The Swing Of Delight and Havanna Moon are also excellent!
Santana III: best Latin Rock album, ever by Santana. This has the original "Woodstock" line-up, plus a huge addition of Neal Schon (lead/rhythm guitar) and to a minor degree, Coke Escovedo (percussion), and a cool guest appearance by the horn section of Tower of Power (Everybody's Everything). Abraxas & Santana are my top three, Moonflower & Santana IV round out my top five. Santana has produced other albums that are hit and miss. Santana's two collaborations with Buddy Mike's (R.I.P) are great and I saw them in concert together in Wuerzberg, Germany and Buddy stole the show! Santana is definitely in the top five for live performanes.
Great work, Pete, cool pod.......🍁
Thanks Pete! Santana was one of my favorite concerts. I saw Carlos live at Sunrise Theater in S Florida.
Santana top 5 Albums
1. Santana III
2. Santana
3. Welcome
4. Blues for Salvador
5. Havana Moon
As a hispanic, Santana was/is a constant in my life. Im not a very dedicated fan, but I could never escape it. My favorite Santana album is Santana III. The energy on that reocrd is out of this world. But my favorite Santana song is “All the love of the universe” from Caravanserai. My God what a masterpiece. Now I can’t stand 80’s Santana, hate it with a passion. It wasn’t until the Milagro album in 1992 that I was able to get back into Santana once again.
Only had the 2 albums 1 caravanserais and 2 abraxas. Always on my high rotation for the last 40 years. Looks like I need to buy a couple more. Thanks for the show. Subscribed
"...just kinda let it infiltrate your entire existence." Yes. That is what we shall do.
Yep ! Can’t argue with those choices
I like
Santana III, Caravanserai, Abraxas, the First one, Zebop!, Supernatural. Love Devotion Surrender with John McLaughlin and the one Live with Buddy Miles
1) Abraxas
2) Santana
3) Santana III
4) Caravanserai
5) Supernatural
6) Amigos
7) Moonflower
8) Welcome
9) Festival
10) Santana IV
11) Borboletta
12) Zebob!
13) Freedom
14) Inner Secrets
15) Spirits Dancing in the Flesh
16) Shangó
17) Shaman
18) Beyond Appearances
19) All That I Am
20) Milagro
21) Marathon
22) Shape Shifter
23) Africa Speaks
24) Corazón
Hey, l love the Gregg Rolie, & Neal Schon era of Santana the best... my suggestion is try listening to Abraxas Pool from 1997 with all former members of the Santana Band ....F n’ A some great stuff 🎤🎹🥁🎸
Pete, your comments about Caravanserai were perfect. Also, I always kind of liked Spirits Dancing in the Flesh, especially after I saw them on that tour at the Fox Theater in St. Louis in 1990.
I didn’t go through all the comments but am I the only person who has and dug the album Oneness?
You are not alone. Oneness is their most spiritual album and one of my desert island albums...
Possibly my favorite
Only own 5. Lol in 1974 or 75 I owned 4 or 5 on 8 track. Will give credit to SANTANA on longevity & extensive discography. I actually play the 2016 Santana cd a lot. I like it a lot. SANTANA 4 / like the early 80 s as well. Great episode PETE. Thank you
Dont have a #1...but really "dig" Marathon...keep on keepin' on Pete
Another eagerly anticipated and enjoyable review. Your musical taste is impeccable (excepting Kiss but hey). Your top four are the same as mine, but I would rate Shango way higher than Amigos, Inner Secrets, Welcome etc, admittedly because Gregg Rolie is on it. Oh and if anyone's reading this, listen to 'Dance Sister Dance' live from the LP 'Moonflower'. When the keys kick in you will cry.
Been following Carlos since 1970. Lived in Hawaii during this time and was there when he played with Buddy Miles at the crater festival in Diamond Head Crater. Good times. I have all the albums you mentioned and then some. All in cd's as well as vinyl. Wore out the 3rd album twice, Abraxas twice and Caravansari 3 times. They are still my top 3 and Welcome and Borboletta round out my top 5. Great review.
Keep em coming my friend. I haven't heard all of them but my favorite is the debut.
Liked it before even watching Pete, good Man you are.
Definitely get "Shape Shifter", Pete. The title track is absolutely top shelf!
Caravanserai has always been my go to Santana album, still play it a lot now, Waves Within now that's what i call feel good music, 4 minutes of sheer bliss. After that it's tricky, close between Santana111, Abraxis, Debut, then Amigos, Welcome, Barbolleta, and the rest up to Moonflower and Lotus the live albums, after that, Santana went off the radar for me, but i will have to check out Santana IV.
Another very very very hard rank to go....what can I say...strong as Iron, well done!! I would go # 1 with Santana III and if I would say only one Santana album this would be sacred fire - live in South America!!! But be prepared to find 100 fans with 20 different # 1 spot!!
What a band ! Their first six albums are mind blowing ! ✌️🎸🇨🇦❤️
Marathon has two of my all time favorite Santana songs. "All I Ever Wanted" & "Hard Times".
Caravanserai will always be in my top 5, regardless of artist. Only album I've owned on vinyl, CD, cassette, & 8-Track.
You must have one hell of a CD collection behind you, how about a video on the guitars behind you???
I wanna hear him play guitar !
Borboletta was a very powerful album in the sense that it was the one to carry you away . ✌️
Another insane band / album pick !
Fun watch - and listen.
i really liked the one from 1981. Im Winning was a great song and when i found out Santana was at Woodstock I was amazed