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Band:Carlos Santana Presents DVD:Blues at Montreux 2004 Released by:Eagle Vision USA Writer: Dr. J- Media: Montreux Jazz Click Album Cover To Buy Now

Carlos Santana Presents: Blues at Montreux 2004” is quite the package. We’re not talking a single DVD with concert highlights, but a three DVD set, each featuring a respective artist. Before we dive into the details, one should note that while Santana’s name is included in the title, he’s in no way the true star here, but rather a showcase in a collection that features three noteworthy bluesmen, which includes Bobby Parker, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, and the legendary Buddy Guy.

I’ll be honest – I wasn’t the least familiar with Bobby Parker (Disc 1) before watching the first DVD. With a set list including “Straight Up No Chaser”, “Break It Up”, “Breaking Up Somebody's Home”, “Nothing But the Blues”, “So Glad I Found You”, “I Ain't Superstitious”, “It's Unfair”, “Going Down Slow”, “Chill Out”, “Mellow Down Easy”, and “Watch Your Step” any fan, or blues fan unfamiliar with his work, will not be disappointed. Santana and Parker partake in a somewhat free form blues jam on “Chill Out”, “Mellow Down Easy”, and “Watch Your Step”. Both guitarists get really down and dirty towards the end getting everyone into the groove.

Disc 2 features Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown playing songs such as “Bits and Pieces”, “Strange Things Happen”, “I'm Beginning to See the Light”, “Sunrise Cajun Style”, “Honey Boy”, “Further On Up the Road”, “I've Got My Mojo Working”, “Drifter “, “Grape Jelly”, and “Okie Dokie Stomp”. Brown starts out the set a little slower paced than Parker. However, then begins to rev things up about halfway through, right into that New Orleans groove. By the time “I’ve Got My Mojo Working” takes center stage, Brown has been joined by Santana and Buddy Guy onstage on the crowd’s energy is obvious. Brown and Santana continue to play together through “Drifter” and “Grape Jelly”, then are joined onstage by Nile Rogers for the rousing “Okie Dokie Stomp”. Not much showmanship going on here – just straight out blues chops and riffing.

Disc 3 brings you onstage with the legendary Buddy Guy. Starting out with just an acoustic guitar in hand, Guy cries from the gut and howls through “Good Morning Little School Girl”, “Louise McGhee”, and “Done Got Old” the only way Buddy Guy can. Things get really revved up when he straps on the electric and plays through “Hoochie Man, “Fever”, and “Drowning on Dry Land”, but that’s not all. “Stormy Monday” features Guy joined onstage by Santana, which leads into a jam session that has Buddy Parker joining the duo, then into “So Many Trains”. But, alas, we’re not done yet! There’s yet another jam session including Guy, Santana, Nile Rogers, and Buddy Parker. Oh, don’t forget the sax solos thrown in here and there throughout the show. The music here, frankly, kicks ass.

For such a DVD package, I feel I’ve short-changed this review. Then again, I’ve written this review four times over – trying not to give too much away, but attempting not to write a novel. So, I’ve gone the short abbreviated route, trying to give the readers a glimpse into what to expect, but not give too much away. Nevertheless, every 238 minutes of this three DVD package is worth every penny. The camera angles are great. The sound is great. The insert/booklet is very informative and I’m banking even the most avid blues fan will find a few surprises here and there. Even the menus are easy to navigate. This is definitely something recommended for every blues fan, let alone someone just getting into the blues genre. Hell, I’d even recommend this to the hardest of rockers, if just for a change of pace. No doubt, this DVD package presents the blues at some of its best moments.

Band:Carlos Santana Presents DVD:Blues at Montreux 2004 Released by:Eagle Vision USA Writer: Dr. J- Media: Montreux Jazz Click Album Cover To Buy Now

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