abraxas

approximating abracadabra, santana's second album levitated at the top of the charts with its a magical and mystical mix of rock, jazz, and blues that channeled the experimentalism of the psychedelic movement (and the great invisible spirit) through latin grooves that could rise and break on your mind like waves of joy.   

the cover is the painting annunciation, by mati klarwein.  the album title comes from a line in hermann hesse's book, demian.  


  "listen how it goes: my rhythm. good to enjoy!"





http://www.santana.com/

if i hear 'black magic woman' without the 'gypsy queen', i feel cheated. originally recorded by fleetwood mac, santana's single version made it to number four on the u.s. charts. it was sung by greg rolie. 'gypsy queen' was written by hungarian jazz guitarist gábor szabó.

  

Abraxas full album:




side 1
1. "Singing Winds, Crying Beasts" (Instrumental) Mike Carabello 4:51
2. "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen"   Peter Green/Gábor Szabó 5:24
3. "Oye Como Va"   Tito Puente 4:17
4. "Incident at Neshabur" (Instrumental) Alberto Gianquinto, Carlos Santana 4:58
side 2
1. "Se a Cabo"   José Areas 2:50
2. "Mother's Daughter"   Gregg Rolie 4:25
3. "Samba Pa Ti" (Instrumental) Santana 4:45
4. "Hope You're Feeling Better"   Rolie 4:10
5. "El Nicoya"   Areas 1:30







"we stood before it and began to freeze inside from the exertion. we questioned the painting, berated it, made love to it, prayed to it: we called it mother, called it whore and slut, called it our beloved, called it abraxas...."