I think it’s pretty obvious that if you are a fan of Santana, then all their releases from 1978 through to about 1985 are all worth obtaining, particularly as this timeframe is deemed to be their most commercial, and probably most appealing.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Santana
ALBUM: Marathon
LABEL: CBS
SERIAL: FC 36154
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Alex Ligertwood – lead vocals * Carlos Santana – guitars, backing vocals * Chris Solberg – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals * Alan Pasqua – keyboards, backing vocals * David Margen – bass * Graham Lear – drums * Armando Peraza – percussion (timbales), backing vocals * Raul Rekow – percussion (congas), backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Marathon * 02 Lightning In The Sky * 03 Aqua Marine (instr) * 04 You Know That I Love You * 05 All I Ever Wanted * 06 Stand Up * 07 Runnin’ (instr) * 08 Summer Lady * 09 Love * 10 Stay (Beside Me) * 11 Hard Times
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
I really enjoyed the transition of this band, from jazz rock and latin influences to radio rock. This transition occurred in 1978, when the ‘Inner Secrets’ album was released. I never bought into their previous material, it just didn’t do anything for me. Though ‘Moonflower’ was pretty good, ‘Inner Secrets’ was by far a vast improvement, and more in keeping where I thought the band should go. Joining the band for this album was new lead singer Alex Litgerwood.
The Songs
The title track leads off. It’s a short instrumental. The lovely dream like piece ‘Aqua Marine’ is one of the album highlights for me. Interestingly, this was cowritten between Carlos and keyboardist Alan Pasqua, who we know from his career with AOR legends Giant.
‘You Know That I Love You’ was the single from the LP, I don’t remember much about that song but listening to it now it sounds more like Chicago than Santana! ‘All I Ever Wanted’ is delivered with some verve and sounds all the better for it. A great tune.
‘Stand Up’ takes on a Pablo Cruise like personality and I like it. ‘Runnin’ is a brief synth laden track and includes some funky bass poppin’ in the mix. ‘Summer Lady’ reminds us of the material on ‘Inner Secrets’ which can only be a good thing right?
Getting Alex Litgerwood in was a masterstroke I reckon. ‘Stay (Beside Me)’ will appeal to west coast fans, the band again bringing up those Pablo Cruise references once more. Alan Pasqua’s organ work dominates ‘Hard Times’, a bruising radio rocker which was a good contrast to the lighter fare of the previous track.
In Summary
I think it’s pretty obvious that if you are a fan of Santana, then all their releases from 1978 through to about 1985 are all worth obtaining. Particularly as this period of time is deemed to be their most commercial, and probably their most appealing.
Santana on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
