Lotus is incredible. Unmentioned here is that Santana had been to see Miles’ electric band of the period, and it sounds like he said “play that” to the band. He quotes from Miles songs of the period, too. It is both face-melting shred and glorious beautiful exploration. Far and away his best. And there’s a cover of the Creator Has a Master Plan?!
I first heard this album when I bought it on good ol' double CD in '91. It became my go-to when I needed a Santana fix. Years later, I finally found a European vinyl OP in all its extravagant glory. I just recently started revisiting 'Lotus' and now this wonderful piece!
Thank you for this wonderful assessment of a mastepiece. In high school, "Caravanserai" was my gateway drug to jazz, a direct pipeline to electric Miles and late Coltrane. I was able to snag an import copy of "Lotus" when it first came out, and I agree that it is a stellar achievement. It's fun to gather all the quotes Santana throws into his solos...I used to have a list...besides Miles, there are snippets of "Fool on the Hill," "My Favorite Things," "Afro Blue," and probably many more I am not catching. Kickass album, for sure!
Caravanserai did it for me, one of the greatest albums ever. Lotus is amazing and the 3 disc set is one of the best packaged releases out there, music wonderful 😎
Lotus is incredible. I bought a 1975 pressing in high school and was astonished. For a while, I thought Santana had almost become *too good* a guitarist if you know what I mean, but now I just let it all hit me - and it feels so good. Agreed about how good the band was during that time and when I discovered the McLaughlin album I couldn't believe it had been so poorly reviewed. The live bootlegs are astonishing, too!
I absolutely love early Santana, including pre-1st LP live sets, which are easily found both online and on LP. I agree that between 1968 & 1971 there was nothing quite like them, but I will add to the list, Cymande, and Osibisa. The latter two didn't have the glory of Woodstock fame, but their music is equally worldly and astonishing (and they were very popular and beloved in the UK).
Returning to Santana, the acid-munching Deadheads & Airplane fans in the Fillmore audience must have had their heads blown when they first saw Santana rip through a set.
Rumor has it (I wasn’t there) that during the Japan performance documented on Lotus, Carlos was high on acid and played the entire show with his back to the audience. Can’t vouch for that, but what an amazing musical feat it is!
I am a since the start fan of caravanserai and love devotion but never heard lotus: will have to rectify that.
Lotus is incredible. Unmentioned here is that Santana had been to see Miles’ electric band of the period, and it sounds like he said “play that” to the band. He quotes from Miles songs of the period, too. It is both face-melting shred and glorious beautiful exploration. Far and away his best. And there’s a cover of the Creator Has a Master Plan?!
good piece, Phil
I first heard this album when I bought it on good ol' double CD in '91. It became my go-to when I needed a Santana fix. Years later, I finally found a European vinyl OP in all its extravagant glory. I just recently started revisiting 'Lotus' and now this wonderful piece!
Thanks for this, Phil. These albums are the Santana I return to, and I treasure the 3 LP “Lotus” I bought in the late 70s.
Thank you for this wonderful assessment of a mastepiece. In high school, "Caravanserai" was my gateway drug to jazz, a direct pipeline to electric Miles and late Coltrane. I was able to snag an import copy of "Lotus" when it first came out, and I agree that it is a stellar achievement. It's fun to gather all the quotes Santana throws into his solos...I used to have a list...besides Miles, there are snippets of "Fool on the Hill," "My Favorite Things," "Afro Blue," and probably many more I am not catching. Kickass album, for sure!
Caravanserai did it for me, one of the greatest albums ever. Lotus is amazing and the 3 disc set is one of the best packaged releases out there, music wonderful 😎
Lotus is incredible. I bought a 1975 pressing in high school and was astonished. For a while, I thought Santana had almost become *too good* a guitarist if you know what I mean, but now I just let it all hit me - and it feels so good. Agreed about how good the band was during that time and when I discovered the McLaughlin album I couldn't believe it had been so poorly reviewed. The live bootlegs are astonishing, too!
I absolutely love early Santana, including pre-1st LP live sets, which are easily found both online and on LP. I agree that between 1968 & 1971 there was nothing quite like them, but I will add to the list, Cymande, and Osibisa. The latter two didn't have the glory of Woodstock fame, but their music is equally worldly and astonishing (and they were very popular and beloved in the UK).
Returning to Santana, the acid-munching Deadheads & Airplane fans in the Fillmore audience must have had their heads blown when they first saw Santana rip through a set.
Rumor has it (I wasn’t there) that during the Japan performance documented on Lotus, Carlos was high on acid and played the entire show with his back to the audience. Can’t vouch for that, but what an amazing musical feat it is!