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Santana — Samba Pa Ti
Album: Abraxas
Avg rating:
8.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3707









Released: 1970
Length: 4:30
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(Instrumental)
Comments (248)add comment
Marvellous tune!! 

bloomin’ Marks&Spencer Xmas ad kinda spoilt it. At least the first part of it. 
Let us all escape with some Santana. A moment of Time captured in Zen
 darmah wrote:

I first heard Carlos on an 8 track in my best friend’s Cutlas when we visited his brother at a new housing work site on the north side of San Antonio. As we got out of the car his crew was on a break smoking their lunch and listening to the same track. My favorite ever since that mental fog of a day. 



Cool story. Thank You for sharing it.
Proper "Let's get it on" stuff I say.
I first heard Carlos on an 8 track in my best friend’s Cutlas when we visited his brother at a new housing work site on the north side of San Antonio. As we got out of the car his crew was on a break smoking their lunch and listening to the same track. My favorite ever since that mental fog of a day. 
The most deeply moving work Santana ever did.
one of best bands of the 70's!! 
Godlike.
When I rate a song from this era, I take a very  personal subjective approach.
To wit - if I get mesmerized listening to it as much now stone sober (and in my pensionable years) as I did when I first listened to it in my late teens when I was most likely stoned and not sober, then I rate it a 9-10.  
This song, and album, (back in those days we listened to whole vinyl albums on our turntables, mostly to avoid the risk of scratching them I suspect, being that we weren't at our topmost state of dexterity) easily rate a "10" based on this criteria.
Towards the end of the solo, Carlos plays the 'Close to the Edge' melody...I always wondered, as a kid, if that was just a coincidence or did that theme trigger something in the guys from 'Yes'.?  
Don't remember if I ever commented on this song, but just the first few notes brings me immediately to the volume button.  Every time.  
Back in the day, let's call it High School, when I discovered this album, there was so much about it it intrigued me. The mysterious name, the surreal and erotic cover art, not to mention the music inside. And those days I was listening to Mahavishnu and Hendricks and Miles Davis and crazy jazz and everything I could get my hands on. Santana brought me up short. There was nothing like it, and I think I wore the record out, and might have worn my parents patience out playing it repeatedly. The music in my childhood home was wildly eclectic, everything from the Weavers To Tommy Dorsey, Irish folk music, classical string quartets and everything-everything-in between. But for some reason this album remains seminal. I can probably sing along note for note.
 joejennings wrote:



I agree. There is a lot of diversity here! I listen to everything & rarely rate anything less than 6. I only rate 7 & above for tunes that I want on "My Favorites" list!

You can adjust the minimum rating for songs in your favorites list if you want.
But I also follow your 7 rating standard myself.
 joanie wrote:

This just might be my favorite song in the whole world! I love every single note.


This was the music for my out of body experience on Feb. 28, 1971 at about 1 a.m. as a patient in Childrens Specialized Hospital, Mountainside NJ.  It may be your favorite song, but the utterly uncanny timing and serendipity of this extraordinary music was and remains an essential for my life.  Ever since, for me, Carlos the gifted guitarista has had few missteps. 
 wifesboyfriend wrote:


Intrigued by the quotation marks.


I was a kid - though I felt very grown up. A boy rather than a man............. honestly 
 bmuscutt wrote:

I love being in this RP community where so many others appreciate music which doesn't resonate with me. One of the many benefits of listening to RP.




I agree. There is a lot of diversity here! I listen to everything & rarely rate anything less than 6. I only rate 7 & above for tunes that I want on "My Favorites" list!
I love being in this RP community where so many others appreciate music which doesn't resonate with me. One of the many benefits of listening to RP.
how many rememberings...whata times! thank you!. 
 Edweirdo wrote:

There is no such thing as "great per se" when it comes to art.  Either you like it and/or it moves you, or you don't like it and it doesn't move you.   Posterity tends to decide what is canonical, but even the greatest composer of all time had to be rescued from relative obscurity by Felix Mendelssohn.



Very well stated!!
 joejennings wrote:

EXCELLENT!!



The more I hear it, the more I like it!!  Thanx RP!
EXCELLENT!!
Played to death. But still a 10.
 mac.knowles955 wrote:
My first album. Brother gave it to me when he was tired of it. I played it until the needle scraped it down.


What were you using, an Edison phonograph? :O)
 hellsgardener wrote:
 I ever had my ass felt by a 'boy' 


Intrigued by the quotation marks.
 user4176 wrote:

It is still a legitimate question. Acclaim and fame are nice-to-haves, but they are not guaranteed signs of any notable accomplishment (except the fame itself). They might be, but often they are not. We all could come up with lists of crappy art, music, movies, political decisions, etc. that gained acclaim, but where not great per se.

There is no such thing as "great per se" when it comes to art.  Either you like it and/or it moves you, or you don't like it and it doesn't move you.   Posterity tends to decide what is canonical, but even the greatest composer of all time had to be rescued from relative obscurity by Felix Mendelssohn.
I suppose the best thing you could say about old Carlos's guitar work was he was soulful
 Early 70's - Aged 12/13 or so at a school social (dance) that they put on at the end of every term this was always the last record played.  This is the first music I ever had my ass felt by a 'boy' whilst slow dancing. Oh happy memories
Heaven. Too brief.
A few songs just make me melt.  This one does it to me EVERY SINGLE TIME!
Sublime tune from a jewel of an album.  Yet 44 barbarians gave it a 1.  Guess they were waiting for the bridge for the singer.
 Pedro1874 wrote:
I also love this tune but every time I hear it I just wish it had stayed slow until the end 
 

My thoughts exactly ever since I know this great piece of music! That mood before it's speeding up is so special...
I also love this tune but every time I hear it I just wish it had stayed slow until the end 
Just heard this on the Mellow Mix feed. Awesome !
My first album. Brother gave it to me when he was tired of it. I played it until the needle scraped it down.
Its interesting how only a very, very few certain instrumentals get in here  (or other programs.) Guess what, Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, and Steve Morse .... among many others have  tasteful, creative instrumental albums worthy of air time. 
Can't get better than that!  Carlos at his best!
joanie wrote:
This just might be my favorite song in the whole world! I love every single note.
 

if you ever need to describe beauty.... play this - heartfelt, passionate, outstanding
No one can play like Carlos His music melts touches rises He’s also a nice guy
A soul moving piece. I used to wish I was that guitar Carlos was playing 
 h8rhater wrote:

All 3 are world renowned.  Pollock paintings have gone for 200 million; Nicolas Cage has an Oscar and a 4 decade career in films; and Carlos a 5 decade career as one of the greatest rock guitarists ever.

I'm going with your commenting here.  Knocking those that have achieved high acclaim in their fields is low level sniping in this one.
 
It is still a legitimate question. Acclaim and fame are nice-to-haves, but they are not guaranteed signs of any notable accomplishment (except the fame itself). They might be, but often they are not. We all could come up with lists of crappy art, music, movies, political decisions, etc. that gained acclaim, but where not great per se.

However, with Santana, I would not say that this holds true. He's a genius, and if he sounds not so remarkable, than I would say that this is precisely what his talent is. Making it sound so easy you think everyone can do this.
 2020sk wrote:
Am I the only person who feels conned by Santana's guitar-playing, in the same way as Jackson Pollock's painting or Nicolas Cage's acting?

Or my commenting, perhaps?


 
All 3 are world renowned.  Pollock paintings have gone for 200 million; Nicolas Cage has an Oscar and a 4 decade career in films; and Carlos a 5 decade career as one of the greatest rock guitarists ever.

I'm going with your commenting here.  Knocking those that have achieved high acclaim in their fields is low level sniping in this one.
 capandjudy wrote:
This is a great album for a good set of headphones. I wonder who produced this? 
 
Fred Catero and Carlos Santana produced Abraxas.
Long Live                                                                                                                             Radio Paradise
Thank you Santana for  Samba Pa Ti                                                                       8 - Most Excellent
Never gets old.
Just effortless...so impressive
Bourbon-soaked evenings in a second-floor Robinson dormitory room at Erskine College, staring at this album cover and wondering why I couldn't play guitar like Carlos.
omg timeless
such guitar
wow
I wore this album out in 1971. In 1972 I started my first band & we covered a couple of the easier tunes, me on bass & lead vocals. Good times, golden memories....
As ever:

{#Notworthy}   
{#Heartkiss} 
{#Clap}  
{#Sunny}

12
such a great album
thank you bill for this song
;-{)
 Typesbad wrote:

Great Comment.  To this day when I hear a Santana song like this one, I think:  Is there any other guitarist who can always play the exact right note, with the exact right tone for the exact amount of time like Carlos Santana?  Maybe.  But no one comes to mind.

 
I saw Santana at the UK Birmingham NEC (good acoustics BTW) some four years ago and he blew me away - kept up a salsa beat for more than an hour and my heart was beating...

I remember Santana from my student days in the '70s and NEVER expected to be so impressed when I heard him live recently.

I DO know why he wears a hat ;-)
This is a great album for a good set of headphones. I wonder who produced this? 
 Dosequis wrote:


Jackson Pollock..OK. Never heard of Nick Cage.

 
Have you heard of Oscar?

Image result for nick cage with oscar
I still remember hearing this as a kid in 1975 or 1976.  Hard to believe that was over 40 years ago.  It's interesting how some music from that era, like Abba or KC & The Sunshine Band, sounds dated and we don't hear much of it anymore, but everything on this album endures and blends right into a music set.
Always extraordinary and exquisite. One of my favorite pieces of music.  
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
I remember (just about) when I was a teenager in the late 1960's and early 70's when we talked about guitarists it was all about who could play the fastest - names like Alvin Lee, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, Richie Blackmore etc. Then along came Carlos Santana who made an electric guitar a musical instrument.  We grew up after that,

 
Great Comment.  To this day when I hear a Santana song like this one, I think:  Is there any other guitarist who can always play the exact right note, with the exact right tone for the exact amount of time like Carlos Santana?  Maybe.  But no one comes to mind.
Great song! In my memorie Meddle from Pink Floyd ought to be played after this{#Smile}
It's so absolutely beautiful..... God forbid that I should press the PSD button by mistake. Definitely deserves a 10
 Sunman wrote:
Sublime. Transcendental. Takes me away every time I hear it.

 

Well said. One of my all time favorites.
I remember (just about) when I was a teenager in the late 1960's and early 70's when we talked about guitarists it was all about who could play the fastest - names like Alvin Lee, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, Richie Blackmore etc. Then along came Carlos Santana who made an electric guitar a musical instrument.  We grew up after that,
Listening to this here at work on my {#Music} reminds of {#Sunny} smelling the {#Daisy} smoking the flowers{#Cowboy} and {#Motor} off to some wonderful paradise island. Hmmmmm, dream on!!!
Wow... two tracks this morning that I had to upgrade to 10!

Thanks for the wonderful tunes. 
Sublime. Transcendental. Takes me away every time I hear it.
 2020sk wrote:

Am I the only person who feels conned by Santana's guitar-playing, in the same way as Jackson Pollock's painting or Nicolas Cage's acting?

Or my commenting, perhaps?



 
i think you have this confused with REM
Loved it long long ago...still rings true today.

                        Mambo Pa Ti
                          Evet Pa Ti.
                        Pati var-iations.

By the skin of my teeth, I walked away from Jumbo claws.


 zedstation wrote:

Powerful, mystical, essential, and w/o celestial boundary.



 

so nicely stated!
 2020sk wrote:

Am I the only person who feels conned by Santana's guitar-playing, in the same way as Jackson Pollock's painting or Nicolas Cage's acting?

Or my commenting, perhaps?



 
go deeper ....  you will find it - though perhaps not in the case of Jackson Pollock.  Good luck  {#Propeller}
{#Notworthy} ENOUGH SAID!
Classic flowin' glowin' Santana groove 
nice! 
 2020sk wrote:

Am I the only person who feels conned by Santana's guitar-playing, in the same way as Jackson Pollock's painting or Nicolas Cage's acting?

Or my commenting, perhaps? 


Well, at least you didn't bring up the Illuminati or GMOs.

Powerful, mystical, essential, and w/o celestial boundary.


 2020sk wrote:

Am I the only person who feels conned by Santana's guitar-playing, in the same way as Jackson Pollock's painting or Nicolas Cage's acting?

Or my commenting, perhaps?



 

Jackson Pollock..OK. Never heard of Nick Cage.
Today, 70 years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I remember the first time when I listened to this music, almost 40 years ago...And I dance, with the same hopes, of peace, still...
 2020sk wrote:

Am I the only person who feels conned by Santana's guitar-playing, in the same way as Jackson Pollock's painting or Nicolas Cage's acting?

Or my commenting, perhaps?



 
Never thought I could find these three in the same sentence! Thanks for that :)

 2020sk wrote:

Am I the only person who feels conned by Santana's guitar-playing, in the same way as Jackson Pollock's painting or Nicolas Cage's acting?

Or my commenting, perhaps?



  I believe Nic and Carlos rank as Giants in their fields of endeavor
Creepy face swaps6
 2020sk wrote:

Am I the only person who feels conned by Santana's guitar-playing, in the same way as Jackson Pollock's painting or Nicolas Cage's acting?

Or my commenting, perhaps?



 
I can agree on the Nick Cage point, otherwise...

Am I the only person who feels conned by Santana's guitar-playing, in the same way as Jackson Pollock's painting or Nicolas Cage's acting?

Or my commenting, perhaps?


 thewiseking wrote:
the man is a hack. when a hack, however, is close friends with Clive Davis, that hack will make a very comfortable living.
 
That sound you're hearing is great guitarists around the world having a good laugh at the ignorance of your comment.
If only Carlos had had you around to show him how to play the guitar he might have gotten somewhere.
Bliss..........
 Peter_Bradshaw wrote:
{#Bananajam}.... "OUTSTANDING"
 
Most of the positives are at the bottom of the first page. The haters seem to congregate at the top of it. For me, this is tune is an epiphany. As for being friends with Clive Davis…try Bill Graham, too. And Clapton. And Beck. Herbie Hancock. Ron Carter. John McLaughlin. You knee jerk cynics really ought to look at the output of the 70s into the 80s. 
One riff? A hack?  Really?  Any of these critics bother to listen to the volume of his work through the 70s, including some incredible stuff with John Mclaughlin?

But OK, yes, he has more or less rested on his laurels the 25-30 years.  But don't discount his entire career on the three songs you might be familiar with. 
Love that 70's art.
{#Bananajam}.... "OUTSTANDING"
 coloradojohn wrote:
THIS is one of those songs...can bring a reverential hush to any gathering...which is cool, because when the guitar really starts to sing and the melody takes off, it shifts the whole thing into another gear, whether it's Red Rocks or a candle-lit bedroom...ROCK ON!

 
Yes! Sublime. {#Good-vibes}
you are indeed wise, king
 
thewiseking wrote:
the man is a hack. when a hack, however, is close friends with Clive Davis, that hack will make a very comfortable living.

no he's neither great nor innovative. he has one riff. all his stuff sounds the same to me. really not sure why he's regarded as a legend. must've been the quaaludes.  

astapen wrote:
I'm really tired of hearing Santana. I know he's great, an innovator, etc.  But just so old.

 thewiseking wrote:
the man is a hack. when a hack, however, is close friends with Clive Davis, that hack will make a very comfortable living.

 
Just scanned your list of songs rated 10. Your taste reveals that calling Santana a hack is unfortunately just a nasty way of saying "me no likey" .  No reason to slag Carlos. 
I'm really tired of hearing Santana. I know he's great, an innovator, etc.  But just so old.
 tonesearch wrote:
Bad tone, mediocre playing.  I don't get this one.

 
I have tried...for a very long time. Truly I have. But my conclusion is that I just don't get the appeal. From old stuff to newer, to my ear it's the same mediocre noodling...same key...tone. Was he that ground-breaking? Really? I guess I could keep trying, but I think for me the journey has ended.
 thewiseking wrote:
the man is a hack. when a hack, however, is close friends with Clive Davis, that hack will make a very comfortable living.

 
I totally get that you might not like Santana but "hack"? That's a little harsh. 
This is one of those songs I could listen to three or four times in succession.
the man is a hack. when a hack, however, is close friends with Clive Davis, that hack will make a very comfortable living.
 zenhead wrote:
i've always thought this was a gorgeous melody, and a wonderful arrangement. one of my favorite santana tunes.

 
Ditto - always makes me stop, pause, listen and be taken to other places
Bad tone, mediocre playing.  I don't get this one.
 bokey wrote:
  In high school they'd play this as the intro to the morning PA announcements.

 
That would never have happened at my school. The guy who effectively ran the school was a pasty white control-freak martinet. Someone spray-painted "Welcome to San Quentin" on an outside wall years before my freshman year. It didn't do much for morale, especially when it stayed up for most of my sentence there. 
hey carlos get busy again, please..................another cruzer.{#Bananajam}
Perfect!
HEAVEN! 
This is music that changed my outlook and my life halfway through the first hearing. It was the very definition of exquisite timing. I had never heard anything like it. Spoke to me in vast volumes. 
I believe he was only 23 years old when he cut this.  
long time no hear.... oh what a great song!!!
Great memory.  Dropped a hit of acid and rode the tune through.  Fitting that the name of the next tune on the album is "Hope Your Feeling Better".  I sure was......
I remember back in the day when I saw Carlos and the boys play at Winterland to a full house.
Nothing quite does it like his guitar excellence.
Still a favorite - timeless. 
  In high school they'd play this as the intro to the morning PA announcements.

If you can't escape the reality listen this and you will fly .. at least for a bit :)


 WonderLizard wrote:
It is fairly well known (and documented) that Carlos idolized Gabor Szabo, and that "Samba Pa Ti" is an homage to him. It's always struck me as remarkable that a Hungarian guitarist would have so much influence on Brazilian pop, especially the bossa nova of the early '60s. Fittingly, Carlos dedicates a samba to him. BTW, Szabo's work with Chico Hamilton is killer stuff.
 
thanks for this. i didn't know.
It is fairly well known (and documented) that Carlos idolized Gabor Szabo, and that "Samba Pa Ti" is an homage to him. It's always struck me as remarkable that a Hungarian guitarist would have so much influence on Brazilian pop, especially the bossa nova of the early '60s. Fittingly, Carlos dedicates a samba to him. BTW, Szabo's work with Chico Hamilton is killer stuff.
Awesome.
i've always thought this was a gorgeous melody, and a wonderful arrangement. one of my favorite santana tunes.
Great song! It always takes me back to when I was still a child in the '70s. Sweet memories.
THIS is one of those songs...can bring a reverential hush to any gathering...which is cool, because when the guitar really starts to sing and the melody takes off, it shifts the whole thing into another gear, whether it's Red Rocks or a candle-lit bedroom...ROCK ON!
I always thought it was "Samba Par-Tee" ...
 sunward wrote:
Sublime!
 


I remember a time when a friend and I were at a restaurant in Toronto. There was a jukebox and I played this song. When I returned to the table, our relationship went to a whole other level. I always think of that when I hear this beautiful piece.
Can never get enough of Santana.  Love to hear some deep cuts off Borboletta.
Sublime!
Superb tunes never grow old!
Instant goosebumps!
 number54dsg wrote:

 

I sense a warm breeze blowing somewhere else

 Xstar wrote:
Blues for Salvador{#Umbrella}
 


Blues for Salvador{#Umbrella}