DESCRIPTION:
This is my rendition of Carlos Santana's hauntingly beautiful, breathtakingly creative solo from "Flame Sky" off the 1973 "Welcome" album...and my attempt at playing it. Following a lengthy illness and not playing music after 25 years, my doctor told me to start playing again—and this was one of the first things I did. I'd not played this in over 30 years.

This is classic Carlos at his musical peak as well as for the Santana Band lineup. Although "Flame Sky" is not what most people would consider one of his more "popular-easily-hummable" songs -- it is a tour-de-force in terms of energy and instrumental phrasing for a song that contains less than 5 chords.

For the most part I got the solos right but again, it's been MANY years since I've practiced it. But having bought this 2003 Les Paul Classic Tobacco Sunburst last year (2009), I've been inspired to "play along" once again (I know, cheesy) so I'm trying to re-learn some of my favorite solos. And no, not all are of Santana's but this one is definitely in my top 5.

Also noteworthy is the brilliant drumming by Michael Shrieve that complements Carlos' opening solo perfectly — especially considering the odd meter (2 measures of 6/8 and one in 3/16!!?) as well as John McLaughlin's blistering solo, although that's in Part II.