LIVE AT THE FILLMORE, 1968

This record has been taken from four concerts of Santana in the legendary "Fillmore West" between December 19 and 22, 1968. This is raw Santana. Santana before Woodstock. The line-up is still hesitant. No Mike Shrieve and only one percussionist : the rythm section is somewhat weaker.

It is a very nice document that we get here. What a pity that this was not available earlier than 1997 (date of the release of this work) ! It should have been released in 1971 to satisfy the hords of fans from these ancient times (which I belong to). Carlos and Gregg are only 21 at the time of the concerts. But they already sound like veterans. They cope together very well and this will still be fine tuned for the next few years. Generally, the keys are great in this live album. My preferred tracks are the ones from their first studio album. Although most of these numbers are quite extended, I really like them in this format (very long). Great latino- rock jamming.

"Jingo" : it is a classic for their live sets (they were still playing it in 1998, at least). Incredible rythm and nice percussion break in the middle section. It sounds as if the band really enjoys. Jingooooooo.

The version of "Persuasion" is really great : a fantastic, heavy keys and rageous guitar intro for over 2'30" minutes. Great work from Gregg.

A bit of jazz atmosphere with "Treat" : nice "piano bar" intro, very quiet. It starts getting crazy in the middle of the track with a great guitar performance from Carlos. Percussion work takes then the relay before we get back were we have started : a very quiet finish (in the style of "Incident At Neshabur" from "Abraxas". This live version is really good. We'll remain in the jazzy mood with "Chunk A Funk". Organ-oriented jam in its initial phase, Carlos enters the scene rapidly to offer a very subtle piece of guitar play in combination with Gregg again. Great finale.

Another track from their Woodstock set is also played here : "Fried Neckbones". It is not a great track but this version is superior to the Woodstock one (IMO) : smoother, better recording. Not too bad after all. There are two covers for "Conquistadore Rides Again" (jazzy one) and ""As The Years Go Passing By" (a bluesy one, quite emotional; but Carlos in is the king of emotion as far as guitar playing is concerned).

The version of "Soul Sacrifice" does not compete with the Woodstock one even if it clocks at 14'29" (no Schrieve, no Areas, no Carabello). I'm always VERY enthusiastic when I see a version of "Soul" in excess of ten minutes. So you can imagine how impatient I was when I saw this one ! It is not as wild yet. Guitar is smoother, the sound groovier. The percussions solo is rather conventional. The whole being played somewhat slower than usual. Quite different than later versions we are used to. This track is one of my all time fave not only from Santana but in rock music in general but this version (although good) is not the best one I know.

I was afraid to listen to the monster track "Freeway" (over thirty minutes) which is almost all improv oriented; but it is actually quite pleasant to my ears. There are of course some dull moments in there (bass & percussion solo for instance), but not too much. Incidently, I am preparing (but not finalizing) this review at the same time as "Live In Aachen" from Deep Purple (I refer here precisely to "Mandrake Root" - over thirty-two minutes) and I can tell you that this Santana jam is gorgeous in comparison with the Purple one. So, there are improvs and improvs. Do you understand what I mean ?

The keys introduction is absolutely fabulous : dynamic and harmonious (for about three minutes), then Carlos starts duoing with Gregg. Oh boy ! these two are really gifted. A weaker moment around minute twelve with a bass solo to introduce a looooong percussion one (I would have like to hear what Mike (Shrieve) would have done here. Still, the work of Livingston is good. For the last six minutes, the band is again playing all together as during the start of this track. Rollie is really flamboyant.

This live album is more than a document. It is a good live moment of a mythical band. During their long career, Santana will not output a lot of these. Some of them (like "Lotus") being questionable for some fans (but not for me). So, get hold of this one and play it loud. You won't regret it.

Four stars.