Sunday Music Muse Day - Mother's Day - Santana VI, Herb Ellis

Welcome to another Sunday Music Muse Day, on this Mother's Day.  I hope everyone took a moment to thank their dear love ones, or remember the ones who have passed on.

This week's first selection is Santana VI, the re-union CD of the original members the Carlos Santana band from the 1970s. According to the official website, "the wildly anticipated studio album that reunites the revered early ‘70s lineup of guitar icon Carlos Santana (guitar, vocals), Gregg Rolie (keyboards, lead vocals), Neal Schon (guitar, vocals), Michael Carabello (percussion) and Michael Shrieve (drums). The album signifies the first time in 45 years – since 1971’s multi-platinum classic Santana III – that the quintet has recorded together."  I have to say after one listen, the band still has the fire.  I saw Santana in concert last summer, and it's nice to hear the distinctive guitar sound again.  Even the cover art hints at the original album art.

My second selection is a nice compilation CD, Herb Ellis - The Concord Jazz Heritage Series.  According to the allmusic.com, "...the music on this 1998 retrospective CD is from the early days of the Concord label".  Again, for my part, I have very little Herb Ellis music except on various jazz guitar anthologies, including duets with fellow guitarists, Joe Pass and Barney Kessel,  but I know he is a guitarist who has influenced a generation of players.  That alone is reason enough to buy this CD.

So, these are two CDs to savior and enjoy.  Again, Happy Mother's day.