Search - Carlos Santana Presents Blues at Montreux 2004: Buddy Guy, Clarence Gatemouth Brown on DVD

Santana's Hat Trick

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 12/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If I hadn't received Blues At Montreux as a Kwanzaa gift, I might not have ever heard of it. The first thing I did upon receiving it was look it up on amazon and read the reviews. Then I took it home to watch and listen to all three DVDs in the package. The difference in my expectations after reading some of the less positive reviews and what I actually saw and heard is tremendous. There seems to be a lot of venom directed at this set because of Carlos Santana's involvement. And believe me, I too was a little concerned knowing the kind of schlock he has issued in recent years. But it also seems that many who attack this never even watched and listened!

In my eyes, Santana redeems himself a little here with this hat trick. He doesn't dominate the action, he merely participates on a couple of songs with each headliner and in my opinion even adds to them. So the focus should not be on Santana at all even though he "presents" this set, it should be on the principal performers, Buddy Guy, Gatemouth Brown, and Bobby Parker.

My favorite performances are actually in the order of the presentation of the discs. I did not know of Bobby Parker before but was spellbound by his electrifying performance. He played as if playing for a prize. His entire band is good but I note in particular the play of drummer Dion Clay and Dane Russel on harmonica. Parker's entire set is good, but a couple songs really stand out. Those are: Nothing But the Blues, Its Unfair, and Watch Your Step.

As for Gatemouth Brown, I expected a lot from him. I've seen him in concert at small clubs many times and he always put on a tremendous show. He is probably the most musically eclectic of the three featured artists and he shows some of that here. But the strongest part of this set just happens to be three of the songs (Drifter, Grape Jelly, and Okie Dokie Stomp) on which he shares the stage with Santana. Not only does he himself shine, he allows every member of his band to show what he can do. Particularly enjoyable is Eric Demmer on saxophone who at times looks so energized that one fears the big galoot is going to have a heart attack at any time. Those who haven't seen Gate play before should watch the unique way he strokes his guitar.

As for Buddy Guy, I've never been a huge fan, but I do recognize his many skills. Though I didn't care so much for the acoustic set, I really enjoy his covers of Hoochie Coochie Man and Stormy Monday.

So even though I am not ecstatic about every song on the DVDs, I still give it five stars because there is more than enough great music to make me satisfied that whoever buys this will get value for money. This is one I will be watching many times in the years to come."