I mentioned this in another thread, but Carlos seems to go for this overproduced,glossy type feel anymore. Its not natural sounding, and raw. Its a shame, I was expecting something in line with the first three.

I did not care for it at all. Like the first post I think this CD is overproduced. I will repeat some of my Amazon review. On a CD recorded in the 60s At the Fillmore Bill Graham said something like from the belly of SF. That was when Santana was young and raw. This CD has lost that rawness. The players are all well drilled performers who have hundreds of hours in the studio and it shows. Early Santana were new to the recording process and it showed with a raw energy from the ballrooms of SF. This band just went through the motions. I know I will listen to it again but I will listen to the first three Santana CDs at least 100 times more than the new one.

I have not heard Santana IV, but I did catch one of the reunion shows (Allentown).

While I do not care much for Supernatural, Santana does a pretty good job playing some of the material live.

I am not sure the same would hold to the new songs on Santana IV.

Out of the gate, the reunion band hit some of the Woodstock era tunes and was outstanding. Then they dug into some of the newer stuff, with mixed results. So it was not the production, not the players just mediocre material, IMO.

It could have used stronger material but that classic sound is there. Modern production without a doubt but the sound and some flashes of magic are there.

I will take it over the Santana plays with everybody albums. Maybe I'm alone. is it as good as the first 3 albums? No. But name me one artist whose albums are better now.

I had hoped for a bigger commitment to touring. Glad you got to catch it Alan. Would have loved it.

I have not heard the new record or seen them live. I did see the one hour reunion show on AXS TV though and thought the entire band was sounding VERY good. Just hearing Carlos, Rolie, Shrieve, Schon et al play that old stuff..............MAGIC. If my memory serves me however, there wasn't a lot of new material in the one hour segment that aired..............one tune for sure, could have been two.

VERY strong out of the box, the segment began with Soul Sacrifice. I caught a hint of a grin on Michael Shrieve's face..........he must be thrilled that this happened. He's had a very rough go of it............playing clubs in Seattle for very little $$$.

Here's a thread I posted about Shrieve right here five years ago:

https://allmanbrothersband.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=XForum&file=viewthread&tid=116995

[Edited on 7/25/2016 by robslob]