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Santana to cover SOTW

Billboard reports that Carlos Santana is going to record a cover of Smoke on the Water for his next album:

Santana hopes to keep the love going on his next album, another project overseen by [Sony executive] Davis that continues the guest-laden path of “Supernatural,” “Shaman” (2002) and “All That I Am” (2005) — only this time adding iconic rock songs to the mix. Among those are Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” with Thomas, the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” with India.Arie and Yo-Yo Ma, Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing” with Joe Cocker, the Rolling Stones’ “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking ” with Scott Weiland, Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son.”



34 Comments to “Santana to cover SOTW”:

  1. 1
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Interesting enough news, just wish they included in the info who’s SINGING?????

  2. 2
    Drdp says:

    We have no idea as to WHO is handling the vocals on SOTW! I read one account of this story that implied Joe Cocker was doing them. But this quote above which is verbatim off the Billboard story leaves the vocal chores open to speculation. Who would WE prefer? I’d like to hear Weilands interpretation myself. Regards,Drdp

  3. 3
    Luigi Montanaro says:

    Ahhhhh!!!! :O
    I want this cover NOW!!!

    Carlos Santana….. my love just after Ritchie Blackmore!!! 😀

  4. 4
    Made in England says:

    Hmmmm.

    I rank Carlos as one of the greatest guitarists of his age. He created a genre that he excels in to this day. I can’t help thinking though that his style could not be further from DP of the early seventies. It’ll be interesting to say the least but I fear it may end up being a little weak. I don’t suppose there are other DP numbers he could choose as I’m not overly fond of this number anyway? Something from the mk3 days might be more appropriate as it was more bluesy? Soldier of Fortune, Sail Away, Mistreated….. He might even be able to get DC & GH in on it…

    Another thing is that surely Carlos can move on from these star studded buddy albums… What about a Carlos Santana album of original material.

  5. 5
    Joanna says:

    Hmmm… It may be cool.

  6. 6
    james jay says:

    A compliment album is just that. DP must of hit a good chord with Carlos Santana. I consider him a top notched musician. Taking bongo influenced music and make it rock takes talent. Glad to see he added DP to his mix. @2 ditto –who is on vocals?

  7. 7
    Crimson Ghost says:

    It would even be cool with no vocals, just Carlos doing the vocal melody on guitar. For once it should be tackled this way, and there usually are some instrumentals on his albums. Just saying.

  8. 8
    purplepriest1965 says:

    Its possible it turns out better than expected but in general I m fed up with the song and espescially covers.

    Sometimes I listen to a version which still moves me, most probably often the Made In Japan take.

    Its still uplifting, inspiring, energising, motivating, etc.
    Listening to DP since 1993 OFTEN gives me depressive tendencies.

    SOMETIMES I like a track here and there but get in a bad mood soon.

  9. 9
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    Funny, We did Black Magic Woman and SOTW, in our bar room days. I look forward to hearing this. Personally I would love to hear Adam Lambert from last years ‘American Idol’ do the vocals….

    Cheers

  10. 10
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Gulp! Yowzer! You’re serious about that, Adam Lambert, give him something Gillan in his actual range, perhaps ‘CIT’, but keep him away from Gillan mid-range vocals, please, whatever you do. Its a story, it doesn’t need a dynamic vocal, all it needs is its narrative feel kept, which shouldn’t be too difficult.

    Personally the idea of a good composer doing a cover of any DP song leaves my ears and heart wide open. Who else has ever substantially covered it besides perhaps Patty Smith and I don’t see how she actually even counts, its not a punk song. Besides, this topic has nothing on earth to do with DP itself pre or post 1993. Its about Santana recording a pre-1993 DP track, nothing more. Jaysus!

  11. 11
    stoffer says:

    I’m for an instrumental version 😉

  12. 12
    james jay says:

    would not mind ex. Rainbow’s Graham B. making a come back—on vocals with Carlos S.

  13. 13
    TruthHurts says:

    @9

    No, it should be Susan Boyle…….

  14. 14
    tony carey says:

    tracy, you’re a wicked SOB, I’ll give you that – great post, hope you’re well… tc

  15. 15
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    Damn Ghost, you are beginning to come across as the Old Grey Purple Hen. Number one, I responded to the actual subject….Santana doing SOTW. More than likely there will be a Vocalist. If not, so be it. If so, I stated my preference. I don’t want to have a Purple Connected repeat performance of the tune. I am weary of the friggin’ tune. So if must be covered AGAIN, I would love to hear a BOLD FRESH version. Adam Lambert,if given the liberty to indulge into his great expression, along with the talent of Santana on a proper version could take that song and do something special, beyond the Same Old “Da Da Da, Da Da Ta Da, Da Da Da, Da Da…….”…..

    The boy has an amazing range and since everyone is slamming Gillan for his lack of Screaming ability these days, he could wale it out beyond anyone else I know of today…..

    TC, yes I am doing quite well and love the Formula thing you did with JR and the JLT with Balls chic…..LOL. Hope there will be more. Do an Album. Can’t wait at the end of the Rainbow for the pot of gold forever……you are better than that..

    Cheers

    Cheers

  16. 16
    james jay says:

    @14 enjoyed your new “Silver Arrow” tune. would of liked JLT on vocals–however Ela sounded great. pretty catchy sound. glad to read a real pro on this site. lot’s of semi-pro’s, purple fans and misfits. i am just a fan!!

  17. 17
    Crimson Ghost says:

    Tracy, when you see a space between, its probably because I’ve addressed someone else at that point. Otherwise at best I’d be putting words in your outh you didn’t say. Ya think? Chops are important, but so is authenticity, Adam Lambert may have something, but he’s pretty green on what to do with it. And there are hundreds, likely thousands with his *singing ability*, yet no authenticity behind them either, or they’d be doing something with it as well. And I don’t mean singing pop with volcano voices, Adam is special, no doubt, but he’s also just like many, the opposite plenty of the time.

    Anyway, the rest was about someone else’s post. If you got lost its because I did too… because it was out of place to say the least. I tried though and even you got confused in the mix.

  18. 18
    james jay says:

    @13 with– ex. prez bill clinton on the saxophone.
    be real–american idol doing SOTW? Then why not just have “The Muppets” doing “Space Truck’n?” rather hear Pat Boone’s SOTW version than the idol dude.

  19. 19
    T says:

    I’ll never forget it… My brother and I were watching Santana on MTV back in the day, and he’s jamming complete with all the facial contortions. Our mom comes in the room and asks, “Why is he making that face?” My brother and I, in perfect unison, responded at the same time:

    “Because he’s JAMMING!”

  20. 20
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    well then so be it…..

    Back to the same ole same ole SOTW with the same ole same ole voices….

    Ho Hummmmmmm

    Cheers

  21. 21
    T says:

    Re: #7

    I’m with you. An instrumental version would be different. Back in the day, Santana used a Hammond organ; therefore, something along the lines of the Made in Japan version with extended soloing for both guitar and organ would be appropriate, and you idea of the guitar doing the vocal phrasing (à la Satriani)is a good idea.

    Adam Lambert? If we’re talking Idol singers, I’d go with David Cook. He’s more likely to have heard of the song, and he’s from my home town!

  22. 22
    james jay says:

    @21 plus he’s got a pair!! how about some “T” with special guest”David Cook” doing Smoke?

  23. 23
    HINH says:

    great great I want the voice of Tony Martin

  24. 24
    purplepriest1965 says:

    Tony Martin, great man and voice.

    Wish He would have had the chance to do more albums with Iommi.
    Iommi gave up a lot for those terrible Osbournes.

  25. 25
    Jeff Summers says:

    I agree with Tracey, Adam Lambert has an extraordinary voice..how you can say that there are hundreds like him is beyond me (just ask Brian May:) SOTW is not a taxing song notationally to sing however and really needs an understated delivery as per Ian’s; that was part of his magic! He knew when and had the ability to deliver either a ferocious vocal or a sensitive, understated vocal…All part of the Gillan repertoire!!

  26. 26
    BlackSparrow says:

    After reading these posts an instrumental version is really the ONLY respectable thing CARLOS could do. American Idol? I mean no disrespect but some of the people on that show are just in the infancy of what it takes a lifetime to learn. Anyway the greatest song Carlos ever did was called Soul Sacrifice and that my friends was completely and discretely instrumental.

  27. 27
    purplepriest1965 says:

    @ 26

    I go along with you a long way but…..
    To suggest that it is impossible someone the age of people in Americain Idol does have it to deliver?

    How Old was Carlos Santana when he did SoulSacrifice?
    Very very young, not?

  28. 28
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    good point Priest.

    Plus, Lambert is actually a well seasoned stage performer. Check out YOUTUBE. Tons of stuff. He is being swooned presently by the boys in Queen. Paul Rogers is done and Brian May was super impressed with Lamberts ability. Both voice and stage presence.

    Back to you question regarding Santana’s age. Even more relevant is Neil Schonn whom toured with Santana at 17 years of age and look where he wound up. Steve Vai. 17 played with Frank Zappa. I’d say he has done pretty well since.

    Yes, Most of the competitors on Idol are super green and obviously don’t deserve a shot, but some are already semi-professional and ready to go out.

    As a matter of fact, the last episode on the final song, there is a Girl. Don’t recall her name, but she has a really good range and in the closing of the song, let out a scream in perfect pitch and tune to the song that was an exact duplication of Gillan’s style in his Prime. I will do my research and see if it shows up on YOUTUBE and share the link later on. Just for entertainment sake and opinions sharing I am interested in YOU ALL’s take on whether or not you hear the same thing…..

    Cheers

  29. 29
    purplepriest1965 says:

    I dont think Paul Rodgers is over.

    I think QUEEN should have been over after Freddy.

    I wish I could go to the UK to see BOTH Bad Company and Emerson, Lake and Palmer!!!!!

    ELP will be part of that festival soon but I forgot if thye shows with BC are already done…..

    Well, due to “other priorities” I ll very probably have to skip most gigs in the future.
    And not only gigs……

    Such a depressing fact.

    Well, thats life.

  30. 30
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    Queen was done after Freddy died for a long time, but got together with Paul Rogers under the name “Queen plus Paul Rogers” and put out an album under the same name with the title ‘The Cosmos Rocks’. I must say that it is a really good album. They chose to make the point that they were no longer just Queen. It is rumored however that Rogers is done with the Queen thing. Could Adam Lambert fill Freddy’s shoes? Yes in the Flamboyant since, but in the Song Writing since I don’t know. I believe it would be an interesting endeavor though.

    Maybe they should cover SOTW too…..

    Cheers

  31. 31
    BlackSparrow says:

    On the rare occasion I will agree young people have the talent to perform at a high level. All I am saying though is that there are hundreds if not thousands of far superior musicians and vocalists that will never be recognized the way the kids on American Idol are. I would go so far as to say there are musicians in Europe and Asia that may even wipe the floor with the American Talent. And may I remind you I unfortunately am an American.

  32. 32
    Tracy Heyder (aka Zero the Hero) says:

    BS…aka…BlackSparrow..

    Yes, there are many folks out there whom can sing….the selection can be taken from ‘Billions’ on the planet. I didn’t make the point as a pertinent point on the Idol issue. It was just a point due to current stuff that is going on in today’s entertainment field and based on what is currently being thrown at the mass public. Lambert along with Siobhan that I also brought up in another area are talented and capable of doing what I suggested. Nothing more, nothing less.

    Don’t take it so literal. I have no stakes in this. Just an opinionated approach….

    Cheers

  33. 33
    big cat says:

    Her name is Shiabon Magnus, poss. missspelled

  34. 34
    wantsdavidandsantana says:

    if santana did a song with david cook..magic!

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