Santana And Shorter: Live At The Montreux Jazz Festival

There are certain musicians who remain favorites throughout your life. Some groups or individuals are so impressive in their talent and fresh sound that last year after year. For me one such person has to be Carlos Santana. As far back as 1969 I first heard Evil Ways from his self titled album and I was hooked. By the time Abraxas came out the following year songs like ‘Black Magic Woman’ had me as a life long fan. This was also the time of the famous Fillmore East Theater where several times I was treated to watching this consummate musician play his guitar. I would sit there in the darkened theater and listen, watching with amazement as this man’s fingers danced over the fret board. There was an expression of pure joy mixed with his concentration that just added to the performance. While other musicians of the late sixties have unfortunately succumbed to the rock and roll ‘life style’, Mr. Santana is still going strong capturing a wider fan base than ever. Part of this new surge of popularity is his habit of joining with other musicians and singers. His recent mega-hits include duets with Rob Thomas and Michelle Branch. Now a DVD has been released by Image Entertainment provides a look a Carlos Santana paired with Jazz legend Wayne Shorter in Montreux, Switzerland way back in 1988. This is absolutely a disc to have whether you are a long time fan or just recently started to listen to Santana. Actually, if you enjoy great music get this DVD.

Wayne Shorter was another favorite of mine as I was growing up. Rock and Roll was great back then but there was always something special about the free form expression of Jazz. Back in the sixties it was the golden age of jazz. My friends and I would gather around our record stereo and listen to the masters; Herbie Hancock , Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Buddy Rich, Charles Mingus and of course, Wayne Shorter. These were men who created a sound that lifted you up and away from the turbulent times. Whenever Shorter took up his sax, tenor or soprano, you knew you were in for a real treat. His rifts where incredible, he took you places musically you never dreamt about.

The DVD begins with the piece, Spiritual. Shorter begins to weave a musical tapestry entwining his sax with pianist Patrice Rushes. As the percussion handled by Louis ‘Ndugu’ Chancler on drums and Armando Perazza on conga enter the beat quickens. Soon, the mellow sounds of the sax are joined by Santana’s guitar and the concert is off and running. The pace builds until finally the lights turn blue and the sax blows with a softer, mellow sound. Santana fads a bit into the background, you can barely hear his guitar but it is there adding to the foundation and highlight the exactly right notes. This is a quite, reflective passage that true jazz lovers will salivate over. The next song picks things up again as the drummers pound joined by a very familiar rifts of Santana. Keyboardist Chester Thompson gives a organ sound; his fingers a blur. The bassist Alphonso Johnson lays down the groundwork as Santana makes his guitar weep.

This is an incredible concert caught forever on DVD the way it should be. Although the two main participants are stars of formidable magnitude they are far from the divas that comprise much of the music scene today. These men and the talented musicians that make up this ensemble are a team in every sense of the word. Each one gets a chance to shine, no one overwhelms the others. There is an organic feel here, a true synergy. As great as the individuals are together they are fantastic beyond words. The focus of the music shifts from one to another. There is a flow working here as one musician sets up a piece and then allows another to take it up and build even more upon it. The mood is like riding a wave at the beach. It picks you up and then lets you down as the music flows over you. The group is so tight that they seem as one. Rifts glide between them, one taking the spotlight for a moment then passing it on. The important thing here is obviously not egos or personalities but the music. Just as Santana gets done with a spectacular rift it is taken up by Shorter. I’ve heard a lot of jazz fusion but this is right up there at the top.

Carlos Santana may have a few more decades on him but he is still exactly like I remember him back in the Fillmore East. Dressed in a sleeveless tee shirt and leather pants he holds his rosewood guitar and ambles around the stage interacting with the other musicians. His fingers are as nimble and accurate as ever. Shorter, in his white linen suite, sleeves rolled up makes his fingers dance on the sax. Every note is true and strong. The music is a combination of Latin beats and smooth jazz. You may no think that this would work but it does. The musicians here take some old standards and breathe new life into them. Many have emulated their styles over the years but no one has come close to achieving their greatness.

At several points in the DVD there are little interviews with Santana, Shorter and festival creator, Claude Nobs. The first such interview is with Santana. Instead of talking about himself he praises his band mates, specifically percussionist Armando Peraza. His comments show how long and beneficial his decades with this man have been. There is pretty much the same with the other interviews; this is a love fest of musicians who have played together for years.

Image Entertainment has done an excellent job bringing this classic concert to DVD. The full screen video is like being on stage. The shots range from ones that show the whole band working together to others that provide close ups of the musicians. The audio is incredible. There are three variations available; Dolby 5.1, DTS and DTS surround. Each is clear but the full DTS gives more depth and a broader sound field. This is a disc for everyone who loves music to own and cherish.

Posted 03/09/07