Search - Abraxas Pool :: Abraxas Pool

Original Santana lineup - Carlos = Excellence!

D. L. Worthing | Arundel, Maine United States | 04/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1997 release features the original members of Santana band of the late sixties.
It features original vocalist Gregg Rolie, drummer Michael Shrieve, guitarist Neal Schon, Michael Carabello on congas, Jose "Chepito" Areas on timbales and Alphonso Johnson on bass.
Carlos Santana declined to participate in this reunion. But this is not a bad thing. Schon who joined Santana at 15, is an accomplished guitarist in his own right with Journey, various solo and side projects is more than capable of filling Carlos Santana's shoes. He does some phenominal playing on this cd.
Rolie , who sang vocals and wrote some of Santana's greatest hits like "Black Magic Women" and many others does some really strong vocals on this disc.
Shrieve, who is definitely no slouch on the drums is exceptional along with the remaining rthymn section on this cd.
The disc is a triumph of great mix of latin and pop music.
It opens with the latin-flavored Boom Ba Ya Ya which is definitely in the old Santana vein.
Other great songs on the disc are 'A Million Miles Away', 'Waiting For You' and 'Guajirona'.
Although it would have been nice for Carlos to join the rest of the group to fill out the original lineup, it gives the remaining members a chance to step up and shine and show what a truly great and talented band they really were without the famous frontman."

Perfect Mix Of Early Santana & Journey

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 12/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This record SHOULD have been huge, but alas that was not to be. With four members of 1969 Santana Band: Greg Rolie, Michael Shrieve, Jose "Chepito" Areas and Michael Carabello, Joined together with Santana's most famous 'Second' Guitarist and founding member (With Greg Rolie) of Journey, Neal Schon and later-day Santana bassist Alphonso Johnson. All the elements are here, with the powerful percussion force of Shrieve/Areas & Carabello and those smooth vocals and keyboards of Greg, the stellar guitar of Neal Schon, This CD is something special. The fact that only a few of us would hear this amazing music is quite a shame.



That said "Abraxas Pool" is a CD that BELONGS in any music collection. With the BIG drum sound of the opening number "Boom Ba Ya Ya" it is clear to all that this train has not lost any steam, to Describe the sound of these musicians is like describing being charged by a runaway elephant in some steamy jungle. The second tune: "A Million Miles Away" would have sounded real good on the radio. Also of note are the great tunes: "Going Home" and "Don't Give Up" that are as good as anything from The 1969 -1971 period that these musicians remember with great fondness. Mr. Neal Schon get's a showcase number on the wonderful: "Szabo" that has the pure emotion of the best of The Santana Band. But "Abraxas Pool" is not locked in the past, this music is new & fresh and the production is top-notch. Just one listen to the new version of "Jingo" will prove that to your ears.



Except for a short tour of the west coast and this stunning CD, Abraxas Pool is no more. Pick this up whilst it is still available.

FIVE STARS !!!"

The best Santana yet !!!

R. J. Haynes | Teays Valley, WV | 11/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had fairly low expectations but was cautiously optomistic when I first got this CD.

I always loved the first 3 Santana albums and although I think Carlos is a genius, one of a kind, I don't think the ensuing efforts have ever matched the first three.

This one matches and exceeds! This is the Santana album I have been waiting 30 years for and Carlos Santana didn't even participate.

Greg and Neal along with the other members of the best Santana band ever make that fourth album we expected when we got sidetracked by Carlos' new direction and experimentation. I have played it over and over and every cut is great.

Please give us an Abraxas Pool II !!!!"