Santana - Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time
List Price:
Our Price: $4.97
You Save: $7.01 (59%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $3.96 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Artist: SantanaEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); Spanish (Original Language)
Published: 2010-09-21
CD Release Date: 2010-09-21
Music Label: Arista
Product features:
- SANTANA GUITAR HEAVEN: THE GREATEST GUITAR CLASS
- Whole Lotta Love (featuring Chris Cornell)
- Can't You Hear Me Knocking (featuring Scott Weiland)
- Sunshine Of Your Love (featuring Rob Thomas)
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps (featuring India.Arie & Yo-Yo Ma)
- Photograph (featuring Chris Daughtry)
- Back In Black (featuring Nas)
- Riders On The Storm (featuring Chester Bennington & Ray Manzarek)
- Smoke On The Water (featuring Jacoby Shaddix)
- Dance The Night Away (featuring Pat Monahan)
- Bang A Gong (featuring Gavin Rossdale)
- Little Wing (featuring Joe Cocker)
- I Ain t Superstitious (featuring Jonny Lang)
Music reviews of Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time
Music Review: Carlos Santana & Clive Davis Deliver Heaven
Rating: 5 Stars
First of all, this needs to be prefaced by pointing out that this project was not originally Carlos' idea. It is my understanding that "Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time" was in fact, Clive Davis' suggestion/assignment (challenge?) for Carlos to deliver an album of time-tested and proven guitar-heavy hits of the past by other artists. With that task at hand, the great Santana assembled his band and augmented it with some notable and popular vocalists, and chose some of what presumably were his "favorites" that could work, or fit into what is unmistakably a "concept album". Make no mistake about it, that is precisely what this album is. Make no mistake either, that this is as much a Clive Davis album as much as it is a Santana album. The choice of which songs to go with were equally split between Carlos and Clive. I'm not so sure that from a commercial point of view, this is a bad idea, since the two have collaborated and succeeded in bringing Carlos back to the radio several times; not to mention a ride to the Grammy awards.
Having said all of that, for my money, this album succeeds on many levels. For today's Guitar Hero/Air Guitar playing youth, it should serve well to expose some of said youth to some classics which they may not otherwise have been made aware of. While every guitar-toting and aspiring kid of today has not only heard, but can likely already play (very well, I might add) Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love", AC-DC's "Back In Black", and Deep Purple's "Smoke On the Water" riffs, I doubt that many of them know Jeff Beck's version of "Ain't Superstitious" or The Rolling Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knocking", for example. The album also drives home the point that Carlos *IS* indeed one bad mofo on electric guitar, and someone whom they would do good to listen to and study from a strictly shredding and technique point of view. There is a LOT of fierce guitar playing on this album, which is something that I for one, welcome with open heart and mind. I can't even remember the last time I heard a guitar solo on the radio that captured my attention, or even a guitar solo at all, for that matter. Forgive my biased opinion there, as not only have I been a huge fan of Carlos and his playing from day one, I am also a guitarist. Kudos to Carlos and Clive, because for that reason more than any other, not only is "Guitar Heaven" (hmm, "GH"... coincidence?) a great album, but does in fact hold up to repeated listening.
Not even out one full day, and of course, all of the critics are already panning and dismissing the effort as nothing more than a sell-out, a calculated commercial attempt, or worse, as sacrilegious blasphemy that anyone would dare attempt to even touch these revered and holy classics which they grew up on. They miss the entire point that first and foremost, this album is for guitar players and lovers of good guitar playing; something we have been deprived of for some time now, due to bad-old radio playlisting and payola. Anything other than that, such as having been made also for fans of the great singers featured here, Today's production values, and more, including, well, *FUN* is icing on the cake.
From the first strains of the classic riff of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love", it is blatantly obvious that this project is about kick-ass rocking and paying tribute to some great music. Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave does such a good job here that he (dare I say it?) makes Robert Plant's original performance sound like Mickey Mouse on steroids. The choice of Cornell's strong vocals is more than appropriate here. While he does not stray from the original in melody and phrasing, (probably for fear that if the opening track were to sound too different or foreign, listeners might not give the rest of the album a chance) Cornell succeeds in updating this old chestnut, no doubt. The underlying trademark Santana percussion section here is the only hint here so far, that this is indeed Santana you are listening to. It is still far too early to do that yet.
The second track, "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" also opens with an unmistakable and instantly recognizable guitar riff. Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver fame does a great job here as well by not straying too far from Mick Jagger's original delivery. Already, I am getting the feeling that Carlos, in his infinite wisdom, is well aware that SOME things are best left unchanged. Even though gone is any alluding of Bobby Keys' brilliant saxophone solo, it is not missed one bit as Carlos' signature playing slips in to replace it. Interesting side note here: on the day of the release of "Sticky Fingers", a guitar-playing friend of mine played a trick on me. He put on the original record, cued exactly at the spot where Mick Taylor's beautiful guitar solo comes in, and asked who I thought I was listening to. I immediately responded with: "Santana". My friend laughed and replied: "Guess again". As I listened intently not only to that solo, but also to the rhythm section bubbling underneath it, I repeated: "Santana", afterall, who else could it be? Boy, was I surprised when my friend produced the album cover, declaring: "The Rolling Stones!", with a childish grin on his face. That was 1971, and already Santana was exerting an influence on the landscape of popular music, including the greatest Rock N Roll band that ever lived. I think that here, Carlos is doing more than just paying tribute to a great song, but is re-paying homage as well.
By the third song, it is slowly but surely becoming apparent that this is Santana of the old days. I am reminded that Carlos has always paid tribute by doing covers of others' works. From the first album, "Jingo" (Olatunji) through "Oye Como Va" (Tito Puente), "She's Not There" (The Zombies), and others, Santana has always been mindful of his roots. Let's not forget here that the original name of the group was "The Santana Blues Band". Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty), no stranger to Santana fans, returns to lend his soulful and passionate vocal skills to the mix. "Sunshine Of Your Love", the classic Cream song is re-worked here with more fire and balls than the original thanks again to the Santana percussion ensemble playing. The updated and modernized production techniques and values of the present day give this old gem a new life, in my opinion. I can't help but wonder what Carlos' good friend Eric Clapton, and Jack Bruce make of this take. I also can't help but wonder if this means that we will see Eric guesting on sporadic dates if this album is commercially successful enough to tour. I certainly hope so.
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps", the next tune, is where I have mixed feelings. Having had a week to listen to this one, as Carlos has had it up on his website for the world to preview, I have to say that on the overall, it is good. That is probably due to the "growing on me" factor. First of all, being the huge George Harrison fan that I am, I am always protective of George's compositions and my feelings on said compositions and the original versions as well. Harrison's works simply cannot be improved for my money, leave them alone, please. However, as I have listened to this one over and over, I can finally say that I "get it". Not only do the title and lyrics of this brilliant song alone manage to convey what I think this entire album is trying to get across, it's inclusion here and the arrangement make it such that it is almost a whole different song. It serves well to separate this collection by nature of being a soft and sentimental ballad, and gives the entire album an all-inclusive cohesion that would otherwise would not have been present had it all been wailing, blasting, and shredding. Kudos to India Arie for her beautiful singing on this one. Being a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist herself, she brings a warm sensibility to the project which a song such as this one begs. My only complaint on this song, and in fact, the entire album, is the shameless waste of the truly masterful chops of the one and only Yo-Yo Ma. It's as if he was rushed in on the strength of his name alone, and was given as simple and basic a part to play which most any good High School cellist could have provided. Then on top of that, the part is mixed so low that it is hardly noticeable at times. Clive would have done better to rename this one "While My Cello Gently Weeps", then let Yo-Yo Ma shred all over the top of it. Then again, I am certain that something like that would have been considered sacrilege by the stuffy old purists.
Def Leppard's 80's hit "Photograph", to my ears, and my opinion, is the weakest track on the album. To include Chris Daughtry as the vocalist may at first wreak of what appears to be nothing more than someone's greedy desire to cash in on the American Idol craze. As with most anything, however, with enough listening, it too will probably grow on you if for no other reason than 80's nostalgia, even if this project was never about nostalgia. Although the song was probably Def Leppard's biggest hit, it never did anything for me; it still doesn't, as a song. Def Leppard was a much better band than that tune implied at the time. I skipped it then, and to be honest, I will likely find myself skipping it on subsequent listenings of this album. Maybe had Clive or Carlos pushed to at least have Joe Elliott, the original singer of the song appear, things would have been different. However, that would probably have also pushed the budget beyond what was deemed (pre-ordained?) appropriate for the project or "artistically" in step with what Carlos and Clive were trying to achieve. Were it not due to my penchant for Carlos' guitar playing, I don't think that I would have even sat through the entire song on first listening.
Oh boy, "Back In Black", AC/DC. Myself, I love it, but what do I know? I can see the purists up in arms already, much as they did with Run DMC's version of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way". I can't help but laugh at something like that kind of mentality. "What? Rapping on an AC/DC song?? How DARE they??? What the????" On and on, ad nauseum. This is the track to most likely turn off the purists and critics and slam the album as they have already begun to do. In my opinion, Nas' inclusion here keeps the album contemporary and his performance is strong. The entire track is a pure example of Santana's ever-present knack for fusion and bringing together different genre of music and more importantly, people of vastly different cultural backgrounds. If Arista knows what's good for it, they will quickly issue this one as a single. It is probably the most radio-ready track on the album by today's standards and trends. While Mashups have yet to really catch on over here, it's a different story on a global scale. Not only that, but let us also remember that Run DMC single-handedly resurrected Aerosmith's career, which was pretty much in the toilet prior to that one being all over the radio, MTV, and in your face that year.
"Riders On the Storm", the old classic from The Doors gets the Santana treatment with good effect. Chester Bennington of Linkin Park does an admirable job of crooning this lyric in a way that Jim Morrison could never have done. Although I am a fan of The Doors and of Jim Morrison's singing, Morrison's voice was simply too harsh for this lyric, and Bennington brings his Depeche Mode influence to the mix, allowing these lyrics to breahte nicely. Bonus points for including Ray Manzarek here. Ray is well accustomed and more than adept at embracing the modern scene as both musician and producer. Hey, they had to include something in this collection to appease and assuage however many California hippies might be left out there, they buy product too. Better this than oh, say, Jefferson Airplane or Grateful Dead, for example.
"Smoke On The Water" originally done by Deep Purple is up next. I happen to teach guitar, and I can tell you that this is the riff most often played by beginning students when I first ask them to: "Just play a little and show me some of the things you know". It is not only a timeless melody, but it is also so easy to play, that even a kid starting out can practically pick it out by ear unless someone showed them how to do it. Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach handles the vocal chores here and delivers a solid performance. Carlos' playing is all over the track to good effect, and to my ears, is not as identifiable in some spots as is usually the case. He is playing with abandon here and having fun at the same time. That is another feeling that this album leaves me with, that everyone involved was enjoying themselves and having fun with these old classics, just like we did when we were kids in a garage, the high school shows, or some block party, or a community center somewhere. Again, my own bias rears it's head here, because I will never be able to resist any version of a song that contains the lyric "Frank Zappa And The Mothers were at the best place around".
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar, indeed; which Carlos is a master at, since he hardly ever does a lead vocal himself, content to let someone else sing, as he wails away and makes faces in the background, which is primarily, a "Lead Guitar" player's job.
The next tune, "Dance The Night Away" (Van Halen) features Pat Monahan, from the band Train. It is here that it hits me like a ton of bricks that the vast majority of singers on this album are all good songwriters themselves, in their own right. That fact alone, ensured that more than anything else, the song being recorded was being served by people who understand what a good song is, from under the hood, much like a good mechanic understands an automobile in a way that a consumer does not. I highly doubt that was an accident. Monahan does an awesome job here as do all of the others, and this is the one that most ALMOST sounds like the original singer. No offense to David Lee Roth, but he is often imitated by many to some degree of success. Pat comes closer than anyone I have heard on this one. I have to admit at this point, that I am a classic rock fantatic, and that I am a sucker for most any old great song done by anyone by preference over most of what passes for popular music these days. I also can't help but feel targeted. You hit your mark, Mr. Davis.
Track Ten, "Bang A Gong" (T. Rex) features Gavin Rossdale of the British band, Bush. This version goes to show how a great song is a great song is a great song, and there is not much anyone can do to truly ruin it. Blondie, Joe Perry, Ministry, Power Station, and countless others have released versions with success. In every single case, any time I hear any version of this song, it immediately makes me miss Marc Bolan first, more than any other thought before I even have a chance to listen. Witness Prince's song "Cream" if you need further proof that this is indeed a classic song worthy of covering or paying tribute to. It is fitting that a Brit was chosen for this track, as Marc Bolan was British. Rossdale does a commendable job here of not over-powering the song, or injecting too much of his particular style into it. This entire album, in fact, makes me think that someone was "policing" it during the entire recording in order that it not sound too much like the bands of the artists doing the singing. For my money (again) this is a good thing. I can hear someone repeating: "this IS, Carlos and Clive here, boys". It goes without saying that Carlos' inimitable guitar playing is the only other "star" here, other than the songs. His playing is in top form, if you ask me. Anyone who is sick of Carlos' riffs, sound, or choice of notes, go elsewhere, because THAT is what you are getting here, more than anything else. It is really what you are paying for.
Jimi Henrix, Joe Cocker, and Carlos Santana; now how can you go wrong with a collaboration like that? "Little Wing", Jimi's tender ballad is given the Santana treatment here and still manages to come across as beautiful as ever. This is perhaps the principal song of the collection that sounds like something the featured singer, could have released on one of his own albums. My only disappointment here is that Carlos did not make the effort to tackle Jimi's original intro to the song, which to me, is an integral part of the piece. I would never dream of playing this song without that intro, which I first learned as a kid when the original was first released, in order to impress a girl in school who loved it and always wished that someone would play it for her on the guitar. Just like Santana's guitar voice, Joe Cocker's voice is undeniably all his own, and can not be replicated faithfully by anyone else. Spare me the John Belushi parody or send-up comparison, don't even go there, okay?
The ancient blues standard, "I ain't superstitious", written in 1961 by the great Willie Dixon, and first recorded by Dixon with the equally great Howlin' Wolf is the oldest song of the collection.
It was later introduced to a generation of blues-rock fans by one Mr. Jeff Beck on his debut album, sung by Rod Stewart. This is a song that has been covered by countless artists, and will probably continue to be done forever. It is honestly that good of a song, and was an instant classic the moment it was composed. The amazing Johnny Lang provides the vocals on this one, and going by his performance here, it is as if the tune was tailor-made for him. Carlos manages to find an impeccable sense of balance here between remaining true to the song, as to his own vision equally.
I have to interject here that the album is available in two configurations. There is the 12-track CD as I have reviewed here, and a deluxe edition. The deluxe version includes two bonus songs and an almost thirty-minute dvd which is comprised of a documentary on the making of the album, and an intimate interview with Carlos and Clive sitting side-by-side, discussing the project. The first of the two bonus tracks is "Fortunate Son" (originally recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival) featuring Scott Stapp of Creed on vocals. The second bonus track is The Red Hot Chili Peppers song,"Under the Bridge" featuring Andy Vargas on lead vocals. Andy has been Santana's lead singer since the "Supernatural" Tour. Just like the other songs on the regular edition, these tunes are "Santana-ized" (to quote Clive from the dvd) with great success. That is to say, they are made to sound (in Carlos' own words, also from the dvd) "as completely new/totally familiar". There was never any doubt in my mind that purchasing the deluxe edition is the way to go. It helps a great deal to know and see the background and artistic development involved if one is to fully grasp and appreciate this very special project, and not see it as a carefully crafted, contrived, and blatant attempt to cash in on any trend or pattern.
I have now spent the past twelve hours listening to, absorbing, and dissecting "Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time". My verdict is that given a chance, you may find this to be one of the best albums to come down the pike in a long time. Should you buy it? The answer is don't listen to the critics, read reviews, or allow yourself to be persuaded by expectations or pre-conceived notions, and buy it, play it a few times, and decide for yourself. For me, like for Clive Davis, it is the album I have been waiting for Santana to make for years. As a final note, I would like to add a special mention to, and believe that kudos are in order for Santana's band, especially to drummer Dennis Chambers for giving of themselves precisely what this project called for, and then some.
Eddie "brontis"Goicuria
September 21, 2010
Description of Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time
The longest-running, most successful partnership in the history of rock takes flight anew, as legendary Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductees Carlos Santana and Clive Davis collaborate on the brand new concept album, GUITAR HEAVEN: THE GREATEST GUITAR CLASSICS OF ALL TIME. The album was co-produced by Carlos Santana and Clive Davis with tracks produced by Matt Serletic and Howard Benson.Working from their collective encyclopedic knowledge of rock, Carlos Santana and Clive Davis devised a list of guitar-centric titles and then invited a Who s Who of guest vocalists to perform on every track. Singers range from Chris Cornell (on Led Zeppelin s Whole Lotta Love ), Pat Monahan (on Van Halen s Dance the Night Away ), Chester Bennington and Ray Manzarek (on The Doors Riders on the Storm ), Rob Thomas (on Cream s Sunshine Of Your Love), Scott Weiland (on the Rolling Stones Can t You Hear Me Knockin ), Chris Daughtry (on Def Leppard s Photograph ), Gavin Rossdale (on T. Rex s Bang A Gong ) to rapper Nas (on AC/DC s Back In Black ), veteran Joe Cocker (on Jimi Hendrix s Little Wing ), and more.
A very special dedication to George Harrison comes together on GUITAR HEAVEN..., with While My Guitar Gently Weeps, featuring singer india.arie and master cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Listening to the song, Olivia Harrison told Carlos, it made me jump for joy and cry at the same time.
DVD includes the making of Guitar Heaven and an interview with Carlos Santana and Clive Davis.
Pop CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Pop CDs
Yvette Freeman - Dinah Was (L.A. Theatre Works Audio Theatre Collection)Release date: 2005-04-12; Music CD
Best price: $18.61
Price in other shops:
Twin Sisters Productions - Building Character Music CDTWIN SISTERS PRODUCTIONS; Release date: 2007-01-01; Music CD
Best price: $6.75
Price in other shops:
Bernadette Peters in ConcertDVD
Best price: $92.90
Everything Must Go/ Two Against Natureby Steely Dan
Published: 2003; Music CD
Scattered Ashes: A Decade Of Emperial WrathRelease date: 2009-07-28; Published: 2009; Music CD
Best price: $13.01
Price in other shops:
![Christmas at the Biltmore Estate [VHS] Image](/images/Christmas-at-the-Biltmore-Estate-VHS-076700437X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Christmas at the Biltmore Estate [VHS]A&E Home Video; Release date: 1998-09-04; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.00
Price in other shops:
The Shadow: Rare Radio Gems (Rare Radio Gems)Release date: 2002-09-01; Published: 2002-09-01; Music CD
Best price: $20.00
Price in other shops:
On the Shoulders of Giants, Vol. 1: An Audio & Musical Journey Through the Harlem Renaissanceby Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Release date: 2011-09-06; Published: 2008; Music CD
Best price: $1.98
Price in other shops:
Francis Durbridge, Paul Temple & The Gilbert Case - Radio ShowRelease date: 2003-05-12; Music CD
Best price: $21.18
Price in other shops:
The Serenaders - My One and Only YouRelease date: 2011-05-28; Music CD
Best price: $8.59
Price in other shops:
Similar CDs
Eric Clapton - Complete ClaptonRelease date: 2007-10-09; Music CD
Best price: $14.47
Price in other shops:
Santana - AbraxasSANTANA; Release date: 1998-03-31; Music CD
Best price: $4.65
Price in other shops:
Santana - Essential SantanaColumbia; Release date: 2002-10-22; Music CD
Best price: $8.74
Price in other shops:
Santana - Santana (1st Album)SANTANA; Release date: 1998-03-31; Music CD
Best price: $4.69
Price in other shops:
Santana - ShamanRelease date: 2002-10-22; Music CD
Best price: $2.49
Price in other shops:
Santana - SupernaturalSANTANA; Release date: 1999-06-15; Music CD
Best price: $3.34
Price in other shops:
Santana - The Best Of SantanaSANTANA; Release date: 1998-03-31; Music CD
Best price: $4.99
Price in other shops:
Santana - Best Instrumentals (Sony)Release date: 2000-12-25; Music CD
Best price: $4.20
Price in other shops:
Santana - Ultimate SantanaRelease date: 2007-10-16; Music CD
Best price: $7.14
Price in other shops:
Santana - Shape ShifterRelease date: 2012-05-15; Music CD
Best price: $8.69
Price in other shops: