"Warning.... do not buy this CD....the quality is low and sounds like it was recorded thru a handheld recorder. The remixes are an absolute joke. You can do much better with the 1968 Filmore West release. Amazon....you should be ashamed of yourself for even presenting this CD on your website. Refunds should be offered to all purchasers(myself being one)!!!"
Pure Santana
Matthew Burris | Danielson, ct United States | 09/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"To all you people that think Supernatural is a great Santana album, this cd is not for you. This Cd simply ripps!!!! It is pure Santana in his rock and roll era.The recordings are from 1966, when Santana was just making a name for himself. He wants all the "new fans" and "Supernatural fans" to realize what his roots really are. This cd is filled with incredible jams and some incredible blues riffs. Any true Santana fan will find this cd remarkable to say the least. As for the quality, what do you want for a 1966 recording?? the cd is in stereo and was not intended to be a follow up album to Supernatural which is actually th "odd-ball" of any and all Santana albums...If you are looking for a starting point to explore Santana music, start with the first albums and not here. If you want to boogie your sneakers off,buy this cd. You will not regret it. Jam band lovers will flip for this stuff. Don't listen to a teenagers point of view for this album.. buy and enjoy!!!!"
"Mystic Spirits" a Bigtime Disappointment
notoad | Maple Glen, Pa. United States | 09/07/2000
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I totally agree with the 3 previous reviews. This new release by Santana is a major disappointment after his wonderful megahit "Supernatural" (my wife listens to it in her car practically everyday for the past 6 mos. - she calls it her Santana fix). If only I had waited before making a pre-release order and read these other early reviews I would not have bought this CD. Indeed the sound is so awful, it is uncomfortable to listen to. It sounds like someone took their cheap 1960's technology tape recorder to the Fillmore East and held up the microphone from their seat in the audience to record these early Santana concert tracks. Notwithstanding the CD blurb, there is no hint of the new Santana sound and style as heard on "Supernatural." I have already put my copy of this travesty up for sale in the zshops auction. Perhaps a diehard Santana fan and music collector would like to have it at a good discounted price."
It's good, of course, but it's not Supernatural...
ben | 08/30/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Mystical Spirits is essentially a summary of Santana. It has a sampling of his famous themes and solos, live performances, and some remixes. This is why it isn't being spoke of like Supernatural, because it isn't Supernatural. There's really nothing new for the Santana-lover, and it's not really like the stuff on Supernatural. This music is good, of course, but the concept of this collection isn't. Someone who is fond of the guy probably already has these songs, and someone who only liked the Supernatural album probably isn't a real fan of his style. SO, to recap: If you're buying this because you liked Supernatural, don't bother, save your money. If you REALLY like Santana, not just the change of pace he took in Supernatural, then you're probably going to purchase this album and be mildly satisfied like myself, even if you already have the songs in other albums."
Abysmal sound quality
Matthew M Bush | Seattle, USA | 09/01/2000
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I looked forward to listening to the live disk in this 2 CD set, but when I put it on I thought I was being put on... or maybe there was something wrong with my stereo. Nope. It's just an atrociously poor recording, like a bad bootleg, and it isn't even in stereo. Why on earth would Santana release such a poor quality recording without at least noting somewhere on the packaging that it's not professional quality? With the success Santana is currently enjoying, I wouldn't have expected such a dirty trick! Very disappointing."