SANTANA – HONOLULU 1970 SOUNDBOARD (CD-R)

Description

Waikiki Shell, Honolulu, Hawaii 22nd May 1970

　With the aftermath of the legendary Woodstock still fresh, and ‘ABRAXAS’ reaching number one in the US, this miraculous soundboard album captures the live performance of Santana during their rise to become the darlings of their era.

　This recording captures the “May 22, 1970 Honolulu” concert, and is a stereo soundboard recording. Speaking of 1970, our store’s classic “BERKELEY 1970 SOUNDBOARD (Uxbridge 2683)” is also a beloved staple, but it’s from a slightly different period than this one. To understand the context, let’s first take a look at the overview of their activities at that time.

・January 16th – April 12th: US #1 (25 shows) ← *BERKELEY 1970
・April 18th: London performance
《April 17th: Production of ‘ABRAXAS’ begins》
・April 24th + 26th: US #2 (2 shows)
《May 2nd: ‘ABRAXAS’ completed》
・May 15th – June 13th: US #3 (10 shows) ← ★HERE★
・June 16th – 28th: ​​Europe (9 shows)
・August 4th – October 21st: US #4 (31 shows)
《September 23rd: ‘ABRAXAS’ released》

[A hidden treasure discovered from the遺品マスタープロジェクト (Master Project of Personal Belongings)]
　This is SANTANA in 1970. ‘BERKELEY 1970’ was still during their debut album era, but the Honolulu performance in this work was recorded while they were producing their next album, ‘ABRAXAS’, and waiting for its release. This concert, the fourth show of their “US #3” tour, took place just 20 days after the album’s completion (May 2nd). Both “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen” and “Oye Como Va” were fresh off the recording studio. This is a record of the very moment when the newly completed ‘ABRAXAS’ numbers came alive on stage.

　This precious soundboard recording of a live performance is the latest release in the “Masterpiece Series of Legacy Records,” which has recently been releasing a string of superb Santana recordings. It was unearthed through the hands of the prestigious “JEMS” label from a private archive entrusted to an acquaintance by a core West Coast collector who passed away a few years ago. While the series has consistently released groundbreaking recordings, mainly from 1972 and 1974, it has finally unearthed a soundboard recording from 1970. Although the Honolulu recording itself has been circulating for some time, this master is extremely young (likely a first generation or a transfer from a backup copy made for the recorder himself). It is a significantly fresher, upgraded master compared to previous masters.

　In fact, the sound is undeniably top-notch. Not only is it the best master from that day, but it’s so superb that it even surpasses masterpieces like “BERKELEY 1970.” While “BERKELEY 1970” had a texture that fell within the realm of vintage soundboard recordings, this one lacks that vintage feel. Of course, it’s a direct connection to the mixing console, and the age of the equipment is unavoidable, but a freshness that belies its age permeates the entire recording. Rather than calling it “completely official-quality,” perhaps it’s better to call it “unearthed official-quality,” like something you’d find in an archive box set. The exhilarating feeling of being completely in sync with the raw, live performance is immense.

[A live performance where the potential that created ABRAXAS explodes]
　This fresh soundboard captures a miraculous live performance where the band’s potential, just after creating the masterpiece “ABRAXAS,” was amplified by the stage tension. The setlist, unique to 1970, is also a key point, so let’s summarize it here.

●Santana (5 songs)
– Savor / Jingo / Evil Ways (★) / Treat / Waiting (★)
●Others (4 songs + 3 songs)
– Heavenly Guardian: Se A Cabo (★★) / Black Magic Woman-Gypsy Queen (★★) / Oye Como Va (★★) / Hope You’re Feeling Better
-Others: Toussaint L’Overture (★★) / Gumbo (★★) / Conquistadore Rides Again (★★)
*Note: “★” indicates songs not found on the masterpiece ‘BERKELEY 1970 SOUNDBOARD’. “★★” in particular indicates songs not found on ‘FILLMORE WEST 1969’.

…and so on. The fact that there are so many tracks not found on ‘FILLMORE WEST 1969’ or ‘BERKELEY 1970 SOUNDBOARD’ is precisely because this was right after the completion of ‘ABRAXAS’. The show opens with “Se A Cabo,” quickly followed by “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen,” and even includes “Oye Como Va” midway through. These now-famous songs, beloved around the world, resonate with the raw, initial energy they possessed when they were first created. Furthermore, “Evil Ways” and “Waiting,” signature tracks from their debut album that weren’t included on the ‘BERKELEY 1970 SOUNDBOARD’, are also performed. With repertoire including “Toussaint L’Overture,” “Gumbo,” and “Conquistador Rides Again,” this setlist is an unparalleled and fulfilling introduction to Santana in 1970.

　A hidden treasure from 1970 discovered in the highly acclaimed Master Series of Records. This album captures the historic moment of the stage performance immediately following the completion of “ABRAXAS” with a fresh, unearthed, official-quality sound. It is undoubtedly nothing less than a cultural heritage, an absolute masterpiece. A miraculous live album has been born that you should face head-on with all your heart.

★Stereo soundboard recording of the “May 22, 1970 Honolulu performance”. The latest release in the highly acclaimed Master Series of Records, this is a far superior album to previous releases from the younger generation. With a fresh, unearthed, official-quality sound that surpasses “BERKELEY 1970 SOUNDBOARD”, this cultural heritage album pours the historic live performance, just 20 days after the completion of “ABRAXAS,” into your brain.

(56:17)
1. Intro
2. Se A Cabo
3. Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen
4. Savor
5. Jingo
6. Oye Como Va
7. Toussaint L’Overture
8. Evil Ways
9. Treat
10. Gumbo
11. Waiting
12. Hope You’re Feeling Better
13. Conquistadore Rides Again

STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING