ABRAXAS POOL
''ABRAXAS POOL''
MAR 25 1997
56:00
**********
1 Boom Ba Ya Ya (Michael Carabello, Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Michael Shrieve) 6:43
2 A Million Miles Away (Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Michael Shrieve) 3:46
3 Baila Mi Cha-Cha (Jose Chepito Areas) 5:07
4 Waiting for You (Gregg Rolie, Michael Shrieve) 5:05
5 Going Home (Gregg Rolie) 3:19
6 Szabo (Neal Schon, Michael Shrieve) 7:53
7 Guajirona (Jose Chepito Areas) 3:00
8 Cruzin' (Gregg Rolie) 3:52
9 Don't Give Up (Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Michael Shrieve) 7:12
10 Ya Llego (Jose Chepito Areas, Adrian Areas, Michael Carabello) 2:48
11 Jingo (Michael Olatunji) 7:09
**********
José ''Chepito'' Areas/Timbales
Michael Carabello/Congas
Alphonso Johnson/Bass Guitar
Gregg Rolie/Keyboards, Vocals
Neal Schon/Guitar
Michael Shrieve/Drums
Wole Alade/Drums On 11
Ronald Marshall/Drums On 11
Carlos E. Franco, Necia Dallas, Davona Bundy/Vocals On 10
**********
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Philip S Wolf
This record SHOULD have been huge, but alas that was not to be. With four members of 1969 Santana Band: Greg Rolie, Michael Shrieve, Jose "Chepito" Areas and Michael Carabello, Joined together with Santana's most famous 'Second' Guitarist and founding member (With Greg Rolie) of Journey, Neal Schon and later-day Santana bassist Alphonso Johnson. All the elements are here, with the powerful percussion force of Shrieve/Areas & Carabello and those smooth vocals and keyboards of Greg, the stellar guitar of Neal Schon, This CD is something special. The fact that only a few of us would hear this amazing music is quite a shame.
That said "Abraxas Pool" is a CD that BELONGS in any music collection. With the BIG drum sound of the opening number "Boom Ba Ya Ya" it is clear to all that this train has not lost any steam, to Describe the sound of these musicians is like describing being charged by a runaway elephant in some steamy jungle. The second tune: "A Million Miles Away" would have sounded real good on the radio. Also of note are the great tunes: "Going Home" and "Don't Give Up" that are as good as anything from The 1969 -1971 period that these musicians remember with great fondness. Mr. Neal Schon get's a showcase number on the wonderful: "Szabo" that has the pure emotion of the best of The Santana Band. But "Abraxas Pool" is not locked in the past, this music is new & fresh and the production is top-notch. Just one listen to the new version of "Jingo" will prove that to your ears.
Except for a short tour of the west coast and this stunning CD, Abraxas Pool is no more. Pick this up whilst it is still available.
**********
REVIEW/AMG
Gregg Juke
Despite the occultic name and implied Egyptian symbolism in this album's cover art, there is nothing mystic or magical in the sounds presented in the eponymous debut CD from Abraxas Pool. What the listener will find are well-crafted, produced, and performed songs in the mold of Abraxas/Amigo-era Santana, featuring veterans of the original band lineup and former members of Journey and Weather Report. This is an all-star affair, and includes much of the fire that made Carlos Santana's original entrée into the musical nexus of Latin, jazz, and rock so exciting in the first place. While Neal Schon more than adequately handles the Santana role on guitar, this recording really highlights the singing, playing, and writing talents of keyboardist/vocalist Gregg Rolie (the architect behind the pre-Steve Perry Journey sound). Fans of Santana's jazz-tinged Latin rock, and those pining for the more halcyon days of classic AOR, will not be disappointed.
**********
TO THE TOP
********************
''ABRAXAS POOL''
MAR 25 1997
56:00
**********
1 Boom Ba Ya Ya (Michael Carabello, Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Michael Shrieve) 6:43
2 A Million Miles Away (Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Michael Shrieve) 3:46
3 Baila Mi Cha-Cha (Jose Chepito Areas) 5:07
4 Waiting for You (Gregg Rolie, Michael Shrieve) 5:05
5 Going Home (Gregg Rolie) 3:19
6 Szabo (Neal Schon, Michael Shrieve) 7:53
7 Guajirona (Jose Chepito Areas) 3:00
8 Cruzin' (Gregg Rolie) 3:52
9 Don't Give Up (Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Michael Shrieve) 7:12
10 Ya Llego (Jose Chepito Areas, Adrian Areas, Michael Carabello) 2:48
11 Jingo (Michael Olatunji) 7:09
**********
José ''Chepito'' Areas/Timbales
Michael Carabello/Congas
Alphonso Johnson/Bass Guitar
Gregg Rolie/Keyboards, Vocals
Neal Schon/Guitar
Michael Shrieve/Drums
Wole Alade/Drums On 11
Ronald Marshall/Drums On 11
Carlos E. Franco, Necia Dallas, Davona Bundy/Vocals On 10
**********
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Philip S Wolf
This record SHOULD have been huge, but alas that was not to be. With four members of 1969 Santana Band: Greg Rolie, Michael Shrieve, Jose "Chepito" Areas and Michael Carabello, Joined together with Santana's most famous 'Second' Guitarist and founding member (With Greg Rolie) of Journey, Neal Schon and later-day Santana bassist Alphonso Johnson. All the elements are here, with the powerful percussion force of Shrieve/Areas & Carabello and those smooth vocals and keyboards of Greg, the stellar guitar of Neal Schon, This CD is something special. The fact that only a few of us would hear this amazing music is quite a shame.
That said "Abraxas Pool" is a CD that BELONGS in any music collection. With the BIG drum sound of the opening number "Boom Ba Ya Ya" it is clear to all that this train has not lost any steam, to Describe the sound of these musicians is like describing being charged by a runaway elephant in some steamy jungle. The second tune: "A Million Miles Away" would have sounded real good on the radio. Also of note are the great tunes: "Going Home" and "Don't Give Up" that are as good as anything from The 1969 -1971 period that these musicians remember with great fondness. Mr. Neal Schon get's a showcase number on the wonderful: "Szabo" that has the pure emotion of the best of The Santana Band. But "Abraxas Pool" is not locked in the past, this music is new & fresh and the production is top-notch. Just one listen to the new version of "Jingo" will prove that to your ears.
Except for a short tour of the west coast and this stunning CD, Abraxas Pool is no more. Pick this up whilst it is still available.
**********
REVIEW/AMG
Gregg Juke
Despite the occultic name and implied Egyptian symbolism in this album's cover art, there is nothing mystic or magical in the sounds presented in the eponymous debut CD from Abraxas Pool. What the listener will find are well-crafted, produced, and performed songs in the mold of Abraxas/Amigo-era Santana, featuring veterans of the original band lineup and former members of Journey and Weather Report. This is an all-star affair, and includes much of the fire that made Carlos Santana's original entrée into the musical nexus of Latin, jazz, and rock so exciting in the first place. While Neal Schon more than adequately handles the Santana role on guitar, this recording really highlights the singing, playing, and writing talents of keyboardist/vocalist Gregg Rolie (the architect behind the pre-Steve Perry Journey sound). Fans of Santana's jazz-tinged Latin rock, and those pining for the more halcyon days of classic AOR, will not be disappointed.
**********
TO THE TOP
********************