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Santana — Black Magic Woman-Gypsy Queen
Album: Abraxas
Avg rating:
8.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4165








Released: 1970
Length: 5:12
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Got a black magic woman
Got a black magic woman
Ive got a black magic woman
Got me so blind I can't see
That she's a black magic woman
Shes trying to make a devil out of me

Don't turn your back on me baby
Don't turn your back on me baby
Yes don't turn your back on me baby
Stop messing round with your tricks
Don't turn your back on me baby
You just might pick up my magic sticks

Got your spell on me baby
Got your spell on me baby
Yes you got your spell on me baby
Turning my heart into stone
I need you so bad, magic woman
I can't leave you alone
Comments (295)add comment
Yeah.  It's a great song.  Just like all great songs, they become overplayed.  Absence can make the heart grow fonder is all I'm saying.
GREAT TUNE!  I had a friend that used to sing: "I Got a Black Magic Marker". LOL. Too funny!
 szrvsptr wrote:

Indeed. Santana merged Peter Green's "Black Magic Woman" and Gabor Szabo's "Gipsy Queen" into one track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
(Gabor Szabo: Gipsy Queen)

According to Santana himself, Gabor Szabo (originally Gábor Szabó), a legendary Hungarian jazz guitarist emigrating to the US in 1958, was a great influence on his and other great guitarists' music at the time (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...):
“We all wanted to be B.B. King when we grew up. But as soon as we grew up, we went to Gábor. [.…] B.B. had me in a spell. When I heard Gábor, I knew there were other possibilities with the guitar.”

Here's a youtube link where Santana talks about Szabo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

And here let me share two other links where you can immerse yourselves in Gabor Szabo's musical world. It's worth a try, believe me:

A live performance on TV where Szabo plays with fellow Hungarian jazz musicians during his first visit back to his home country in 1974

And my personal favorite album from Gabor Szabo: Dreams




Man, I really dig the fact that you know Gabor Szabo! Yeah, he really PLAYED guitar, like it was a possession..
The Green God.  
Pure Art.
 idiot_wind wrote:

It just kicks ass!!!!!!!

And its 51 years old!!!!

So imagine a song from 1920, having the same impact in 1970.   No freaking way. 




I don't know that. Those orchestral bands before microphones had singers really belt it out. You can hear their legacy in singers like Grace Slick and Florence+ Machine.
 GChevy410 wrote:


Imagine someone who grew up in 1920 still being in charge in 1970.  No freaking way!  

(retire boomers, you've had your time, now we need to fix everything you've ruined - we all hear about progressive this and that, but who are our most likely choices for US president in 2024?  Two 80+ year old white guys)


I'll cut your some slack the whatever-your-generation-is produces music this good.
stop al l work.

get high from the last 1/3 of song. 

oh no...I'm in a trance!  Its those bongos. 
 GWoop wrote:

Though I've always liked this, I'm liking the Fleetwood Mac original version better these days.  Nice cover, Santana.



RP needs to play Peter Green's song.  Since it doesn't get much airplay, I am not familiar with it. 
11.
 bobrk wrote:


There was a hit movie called The Sting that came out in the 1970's that featured Scott Joplin ragtime music and the title track called "The Entertainer" became a hit for a while. That music was at least 50 years old at the time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...


And that is still a great piece of music. 
I consider myself lucky and honored that this was the soundtrack to my good times in high school
 coloradojohn wrote:


Cool! It's always right and good to admire the amazing Gabor Szabo!

I've been hoping Bill would tack the original by Szabo onto the end of the Fleetwood Mac version when it gets played.
Up from 9 to 10
 szrvsptr wrote:

Indeed. Santana merged Peter Green's "Black Magic Woman" and Gabor Szabo's "Gipsy Queen" into one track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
(Gabor Szabo: Gipsy Queen)

According to Santana himself, Gabor Szabo (originally Gábor Szabó), a legendary Hungarian jazz guitarist emigrating to the US in 1958, was a great influence on his and other great guitarists' music at the time (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...):
“We all wanted to be B.B. King when we grew up. But as soon as we grew up, we went to Gábor. [.…] B.B. had me in a spell. When I heard Gábor, I knew there were other possibilities with the guitar.”

Here's a youtube link where Santana talks about Szabo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

And here let me share two other links where you can immerse yourselves in Gabor Szabo's musical world. It's worth a try, believe me:

A live performance on TV where Szabo plays with fellow Hungarian jazz musicians during his first visit back to his home country in 1974

And my personal favorite album from Gabor Szabo: Dreams




Cool! It's always right and good to admire the amazing Gabor Szabo!
 idiot_wind wrote:

It just kicks ass!!!!!!!

And its 51 years old!!!!

So imagine a song from 1920, having the same impact in 1970.   No freaking way. 



Imagine someone who grew up in 1920 still being in charge in 1970.  No freaking way!  

(retire boomers, you've had your time, now we need to fix everything you've ruined - we all hear about progressive this and that, but who are our most likely choices for US president in 2024?  Two 80+ year old white guys)
I'm warning you all: you can get high on the guitar playing on the 2nd half of this song.

Crank it. Get high.  
prefer the live version from "Moonflower"
 Propayne wrote:

Got a black magic marker
Got a black magic marker



Is that you Santley?
What a lush texture. And it all fits so nicely together. Just the rhythm parts alone - at least three - are a fine tapestry. Can you have percussion chords? Yes. Then it changes character as the guitar takes over from the vocals and takes it all home with a frenetic burst from the drum kit.
When I first heard a schoolmate play this album many, many years ago I was transfixed. Rooted to the spot. I had to own it. I raided my pocket money fund and ran to the record store. I think it was the third LP I ever bought.
 kcc wrote:

The Gypsy Queen part of the track is favorite (credit to Hungarian guitarist Gabor Szabo)


Indeed. Santana merged Peter Green's "Black Magic Woman" and Gabor Szabo's "Gipsy Queen" into one track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
(Gabor Szabo: Gipsy Queen)

According to Santana himself, Gabor Szabo (originally Gábor Szabó), a legendary Hungarian jazz guitarist emigrating to the US in 1958, was a great influence on his and other great guitarists' music at the time (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...):
“We all wanted to be B.B. King when we grew up. But as soon as we grew up, we went to Gábor. [.…] B.B. had me in a spell. When I heard Gábor, I knew there were other possibilities with the guitar.”

Here's a youtube link where Santana talks about Szabo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

And here let me share two other links where you can immerse yourselves in Gabor Szabo's musical world. It's worth a try, believe me:

A live performance on TV where Szabo plays with fellow Hungarian jazz musicians during his first visit back to his home country in 1974

And my personal favorite album from Gabor Szabo: Dreams


 idiot_wind wrote:

It just kicks ass!!!!!!!

And its 51 years old!!!!

So imagine a song from 1920, having the same impact in 1970.   No freaking way. 




I was 18....still have the album--timeless.......
GODLIKE!!
SUPER GREAT!!!
 idiot_wind wrote:

It just kicks ass!!!!!!!

And its 51 years old!!!!

So imagine a song from 1920, having the same impact in 1970.   No freaking way. 



There was a hit movie called The Sting that came out in the 1970's that featured Scott Joplin ragtime music and the title track called "The Entertainer" became a hit for a while. That music was at least 50 years old at the time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
 idiot_wind wrote:

It just kicks ass!!!!!!!

And its 51 years old!!!!

So imagine a song from 1920, having the same impact in 1970.   No freaking way. 



Hummm, let's see what was popular in the 1920s. A few tunes come to mind: 

Rhapsody In Blue - Paul Whiteman featuring George Gershwin
Ain't Misbehavin' - Fats Waller / Louis Armstrong
Ol' Man River - Paul Robeson / Al Jolson
Makin' Whoopee - Eddie Cantor/ Paul Whiteman (Bing Crosby)
My Blue Heaven - Gene Austin / Paul Whiteman
It Had To Be You - Isham Jones / Marion Harris

And I agree with you that Black Magic Woman kicks ass!!!
Attended my first Santana concert at the Felt Forum beneath MSG in NYC on Oct. 15, 1971. The band has missed their original flight to NYC and the concert began two hours late. The show was amazing. 
Gregg never gets enough credit for his vocals! Even after 3 Journey records before Steve Perry and sharing the 4th record co-singing. Gregg is in my top 10 best rock voices ever! 
 ecojot wrote:

Peter Green!



Yup!  I grew up thinking this was a Santana original until I listened to some early Fleetwood Mac, when they were a blues band, and then it was "whut the hey?!" 
I love both versions equally!
Got one and she's both! 🥰
Being an old person, I can't even estimate how many times I've heard this song over the years. Still reach over and turn it up.
 idiot_wind wrote:

It just kicks ass!!!!!!!

And its 51 years old!!!!

So imagine a song from 1920, having the same impact in 1970.   No freaking way. 



Or a song we still will play in 2070? 
Fantastic then, fantastic now!
It just kicks ass!!!!!!!

And its 51 years old!!!!

So imagine a song from 1920, having the same impact in 1970.   No freaking way. 
 Andy_B wrote:
It was a 10 for me the very first time I heard it in '70 (and I still remember when and where) when I was finishing up my Broadcasting degree at UF and today it's a 20.  To me this is the epitome of what a good, no make that a master guitar player sounds like.  Truly a craftsman at work.  Santana,...what can I say that hasn't been said?
 

you can say what I always say:  ¡ Santana es muy bueno !
 LuvsMusic wrote:
Does he have a Black, magic-woman?  Or, a Black-Magic Woman?  I've always wondered.
 
Try to be wondrous instead. 
Might have been good 50 years ago. But it is not, it's unbearable...
Peter Green!
But it’s just SOOOOOO good!!!!!
 terryweir wrote:
Great song but overplayed here and everywhere.  Once or twice a year would suffice.
 
Yes, very often played.  Pervasive.  Once or twice a DAY would suffice.  
More percussion!
Great song but overplayed here and everywhere.  Once or twice a year would suffice.
Tusk and Black Magic Woman - a Bill twofer
Musically this song continues to soar, nearly 50 years since it's release. But lyrically it still irks me... "pick up my magic sticks"... really? Surely there could have been a better rhyme than that? Unless (like TortElvis) I've been missing some kind of double meaning all these years.
Came out when I was 15. Left an impression that lasts to this day.
Though I've always liked this, I'm liking the Fleetwood Mac original version better these days.  Nice cover, Santana.
It was a 10 for me the very first time I heard it in '70 (and I still remember when and where) when I was finishing up my Broadcasting degree at UF and today it's a 20.  To me this is the epitome of what a good, no make that a master guitar player sounds like.  Truly a craftsman at work.  Santana,...what can I say that hasn't been said?
My black magic cat says meow, whenever he hears this song.
My web streaming follows 3 hour behind compare to android ap. I have noticed that before but it was not an all the time thing and it was around 15 min. difference... Does anyone have an idea?
 misterbearbaby wrote:
The music of the spheres. If you've ever seen him playing, it's quite clear he's in touch with something much bigger than our small selves.
 
Agreed and double that! 
The music of the spheres. If you've ever seen him playing, it's quite clear he's in touch with something much bigger than our small selves.
That ending. Zounds.
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

When my son was learning to play electric guitar I bought him one of those multi-effects pedals to give him some encouragement. The Zoom device had a dial to select different sounds/styles e.g.Deep Purple, Hendrix, Satriani, Santana etc.

Some of them were close to the original sound - especially the Carlos Santana one.

After much practice my son learned a few licks and they sounded pretty good and I got to really 'know' the Santana tone - except that Carlos did not just have one sound and listening closely to his records over his career you can hear that the tone changed significantly either due to changes in guitars or amplifiers or just because he evolved his sound and liked to mix it up a bit.

Having closely listened to guitarists over many years I would say Carlos is probably the most accomplished and rhythmic of all the guitarists IMHO.  I hesitate to say 'best' because that it too subjective :)

 
Very cool. 

On this song, nothing like hearing his fingers screach on the strings. That means....it's real! It's alive!  
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

When my son was learning to play electric guitar I bought him one of those multi-effects pedals to give him some encouragement. The Zoom device had a dial to select different sounds/styles e.g.Deep Purple, Hendrix, Satriani, Santana etc.

Some of them were close to the original sound - especially the Carlos Santana one.

After much practice my son learned a few licks and they sounded pretty good and I got to really 'know' the Santana tone - except that Carlos did not just have one sound and listening closely to his records over his career you can hear that the tone changed significantly either due to changes in guitars or amplifiers or just because he evolved his sound and liked to mix it up a bit.

Having closely listened to guitarists over many years I would say Carlos is probably the most accomplished and rhythmic of all the guitarists IMHO.  I hesitate to say 'best' because that it too subjective :)

 
The thing with this song is that it was not over produced in the studio. 

You can hear the "finger scratch" noise right before his hits a power chord.  

I think that's why this sounds so freakin good. This ain't  the band Boston paying something that was initially called music but got regergatated by the sound boards and transfomred into something fake.   
 idiot_wind wrote:
Just drop dead, guitar playing. My god. You can get high on the  second1/2 of this song. 

 
When my son was learning to play electric guitar I bought him one of those multi-effects pedals to give him some encouragement. The Zoom device had a dial to select different sounds/styles e.g.Deep Purple, Hendrix, Satriani, Santana etc.

Some of them were close to the original sound - especially the Carlos Santana one.

After much practice my son learned a few licks and they sounded pretty good and I got to really 'know' the Santana tone - except that Carlos did not just have one sound and listening closely to his records over his career you can hear that the tone changed significantly either due to changes in guitars or amplifiers or just because he evolved his sound and liked to mix it up a bit.

Having closely listened to guitarists over many years I would say Carlos is probably the most accomplished and rhythmic of all the guitarists IMHO.  I hesitate to say 'best' because that it too subjective :)
{#Rolleyes}The most over played wanna-be cover rock band song of all time.  There isn't a traveling wanna-be cover band that has ever been able to play this tune correctly.  Mostly white-bread boys misunderstanding latin rhythm - comical.  Especially guitar players and drummers trying to play Gypsy Queen - rarely can they play it in time.
A great tune reduced to line-dance music. 
Just drop dead, guitar playing. My god. You can get high on the  second1/2 of this song. 
 melanie.putz8843 wrote:
Awesome mix tonight, Bob! Keep on with the great tunes, mixes, AND themes...yeah ,we (my wife and I ) try to guess ifnthere is a theme to a set, and what that theme is....some are freakin obscure, but we're gettin' 'em.... Stay awesome !
 

 
Bob?
Does he have a Black, magic-woman?  Or, a Black-Magic Woman?  I've always wondered.
Got a black magic marker
Got a black magic marker

Put the cap on it baby
Put the cap on it baby

or the tip will dry out and get hard... 
Awesome mix tonight, Bob! Keep on with the great tunes, mixes, AND themes...yeah ,we (my wife and I ) try to guess ifnthere is a theme to a set, and what that theme is....some are freakin obscure, but we're gettin' 'em.... Stay awesome !
 
 idiot_wind wrote:
So I'm typing an essay on how the low cost of investment capital is a real reason for our current macro economic malaise.

And Carlos has now got me do this tangential thinking on heteroskadicity of auto correlated variables. Cool stuff, man.

Uh here we go into the groooooove. 

 
Well, I never ever expected to read the words 'Carlos' and 'heteroskadicity of auto correlated variables' in one sentence. I think that neither would he.  Perhaps you could run the Trump Treasury and Carlos could play 'Winning' and 'Migra' all day long. 
Santana made it famous, but Green did it better.
So I'm typing an essay on how the low cost of investment capital is a real reason for our current macro economic malaise.

And Carlos has now got me do this tangential thinking on heteroskadicity of auto correlated variables. Cool stuff, man.

Uh here we go into the groooooove. 
Hey...Carlos Santana hit a home run yesterday for the Cleveland Indians to beat the Toronto Blue Jays!

What gives?

How old is Carlos and he must be in good shape. It that trippy guitar playing. Keeps a person young.  
 oldfart48 wrote:
not often a cover exceeds the orig., esp. a mac. but carlos pulled it off. he was very good at  borrowing tunes and making them his own. great guitar.

 
The great guitar is Peter Green's tone, lifted by Santana.
 2020sk wrote:
One of the more tolerable Santana tunes, hence a 3.
Sorry, don't crucify me all at once! The faster bit towards the end (I believe that's the technical term for it) is quite listenable, though parts resemble the sound of my kitchen drain. Hmm, there's no hope, I'm going to get crucified, I'm sure.

 
But hey, you did it in a nice way.  Say what you will - Santana introduced an incredible new sound and style that endures (for many) to this day, nearly 50 years later.  Not bad for kitchen drain music.  I love this song, and much of his music.  And there are millions of us.  He's incredible.
Great album, great song, great band, great guitarist. But I always thought putting that white dove there in the album cover was a mistake :)
 2020sk wrote:
One of the more tolerable Santana tunes, hence a 3.
Sorry, don't crucify me all at once! The faster bit towards the end (I believe that's the technical term for it) is quite listenable, though parts resemble the sound of my kitchen drain. Hmm, there's no hope, I'm going to get crucified, I'm sure.

 
Sure, no problem. We'll cut pieces off you and crucify each separately {#Twisted}
 2020sk wrote:
One of the more tolerable Santana tunes, hence a 3.
Sorry, don't crucify me all at once! The faster bit towards the end (I believe that's the technical term for it) is quite listenable, though parts resemble the sound of my kitchen drain. Hmm, there's no hope, I'm going to get crucified, I'm sure.

 
Nah, I feel ya. A joke I've been telling for years.

Did you know santana died in 1973? Yah, they've just been releasing the same song for 40 years. 
 taswegian wrote:
Bill, you're on a roll with the programming: Peter Gabriel in Africa mode, then Tusk and now Black Magic Woman!

 
He started with Les Negresses Vertes. No less impressive.  
 2020sk wrote:
One of the more tolerable Santana tunes, hence a 3.
Sorry, don't crucify me all at once! The faster bit towards the end (I believe that's the technical term for it) is quite listenable, though parts resemble the sound of my kitchen drain. Hmm, there's no hope, I'm going to get crucified, I'm sure.

 
no we aren't going to crucify you, just smother you in love, go get Santana's "Caravanseria" album/cd and you will be converted
Bill, you're on a roll with the programming: Peter Gabriel in Africa mode, then Tusk and now Black Magic Woman!
One of the more tolerable Santana tunes, hence a 3.
Sorry, don't crucify me all at once! The faster bit towards the end (I believe that's the technical term for it) is quite listenable, though parts resemble the sound of my kitchen drain. Hmm, there's no hope, I'm going to get crucified, I'm sure.
the poetry and verve at the song's opening get me in a slippery-bop dance-mood
You can get "high" on this guitar work.

No kidding...well maybe a little. . 
 Black Magic Woman with an accent.
One of his top 5 LPs! {#Guitarist}
 kcar wrote:
Nice segue from FM's "Tusk." 

I don't much about Santana, apart from this album and his work with Rob Thomas. And yes I've already heard some of you say that there's not much in between. But Abraxas is a fukkin' great album.  

 
Yeah. Great album. So is Santana III (maybe the best of the catalogue).  So is Santana I. So is Caravanserai. So is Zebop. You should not discount one of the great musicians of our time. Just sayin. 
 Everything's coming our way is a better less played option.  old_shep wrote:
I've listened to this exact cut five times in as many days and its still holds my attention.

 


One of the Shamans
 Andrew_C wrote:

Funny, that's the same segue I've hit the "9" button on both songs today; a year and a bit down the line.

 
Segue's still strong. With a nice lead-in from PG - The Rythm of the Heat.
Valga me Dios!  Gustarlo, etc.
Goosebumps every time I hear this.
Back in the summer of 1972-73, every Saturday night, three of my high school buddies and I folded the Sunday edition of Los Angeles Times newspapers. We worked from 9:00 Saturday night until 6:00 Sunday morning. Our little shop was in El Monte, California, and right across the street was a church. Every Saturday afternoon there was a wedding, and since El Monte was almost entirely Hispanic, the wedding bands played LOTS of Santana. All night long. Loudly. What a great time of my life.
 kcar wrote:
Nice segue from FM's "Tusk." 

I don't much about Santana, apart from this album and his work with Rob Thomas. And yes I've already heard some of you say that there's not much in between. But Abraxas is a fukkin' great album.  

 
Funny, that's the same segue I've hit the "9" button on both songs today; a year and a bit down the line.
 Jefalump wrote:
Maybe it’s time Santana went into Low Rotation…….


 
rotate thyself, please........
{#Dancingbanana}{#Bananapiano}

This is such a great song.

 

It makes me sad, though to think this music is dying out in the 21st century. There just aren't many (if any) guitar players that come close to Carlos and the band.

 

It RnR on the same road as jazz? Destined to belong in a museum?  


 musikluvr wrote:
I only gave it a 9 because there are better vintage Santana jams that didn't get the radio play. Amazing live show as well. 5th row center at Red Rocks back in '97. Wicked good band.

 
Totally agree - 9 for me
I only gave it a 9 because there are better vintage Santana jams that didn't get the radio play. Amazing live show as well. 5th row center at Red Rocks back in '97. Wicked good band.
not often a cover exceeds the orig., esp. a mac. but carlos pulled it off. he was very good at  borrowing tunes and making them his own. great guitar.
 Randomax wrote:
Speaking of Great Guitarists.....Bill, PLEASE play some Ten Years After....RIP Alvin Lee.....you were ALWAYS amazing...and a real gentleman....from a then 14 yo that was invited TWICE backstage with you and your band members; You were all gentlemen!  Bill, Cricklewood album!!!

 

And it would be a fine thing if Santana chose to cover 50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain. An Alvin Lee axe masterpiece that would shine with Carlos redoing it. 
 ppopp wrote:
Santana gets old fast these days for me.
 
I am getting old fast these days.  This song will never age, however.
Santana gets old fast these days for me.
Speaking of Great Guitarists.....Bill, PLEASE play some Ten Years After....RIP Alvin Lee.....you were ALWAYS amazing...and a real gentleman....from a then 14 yo that was invited TWICE backstage with you and your band members; You were all gentlemen!  Bill, Cricklewood album!!!
Nice segue from FM's "Tusk." 

I don't much about Santana, apart from this album and his work with Rob Thomas. And yes I've already heard some of you say that there's not much in between. But Abraxas is a fukkin' great album.  

There are some very nice headphones and headphone-amps that can improve the music experience...
If you can afford the phone and data stream then the headphones and amp should be easy carry...
Audio Technica, Martin Logan, Koss and a couple others make headphones specifically for phones with easy controls to pause, converse, adjust volume right on the cord or headphone... I don't know all, or even that much compare to some people. My interests are in a different direction, electro-static headphones, amps, speakers... A few searches with Bing and reading the various audio boards (www.head-fi.org) and review sites will give a quick education... Between RP and various audio equipment/review sites...My budget is skewing in new directions..


stevendejong wrote:

You wrote this two years ago, and it is more relevant now than ever. I don't understand why phone manufacturers decided to torture humanity by allowing people to play music on their phones WITHOUT a head set. Indeed, the sound quality is UTTER crap, and generally the dumb shits that listen to music in this way prefer atrocious commercial hiphop, Lady Gaga, or trash metal.
 


 kingart wrote:
One of the hottest tunes from one of the hottest albums from one of the greatest guitarists ever. And that album art is the joint. And Black Magic Woman is of course by Fleetwood's Peter Green, but Gypsy Queen was originally a jazz piece of Gabor Szabo. I think everyone did quite well by Santana's take on them.
 
 
Nice to have some background informations! Thank you!
One of the hottest tunes from one of the hottest albums from one of the greatest guitarists ever. And that album art is the joint. And Black Magic Woman is of course by Fleetwood's Peter Green, but Gypsy Queen was originally a jazz piece of Gabor Szabo. I think everyone did quite well by Santana's take on them.
 
 MojoJojo wrote:
(...)  no one is as impressed with your music selection as you are when it comes blaring out of a crap-ass cell phone!

Why yes, I am especially grumpy today.

 
You wrote this two years ago, and it is more relevant now than ever. I don't understand why phone manufacturers decided to torture humanity by allowing people to play music on their phones WITHOUT a head set. Indeed, the sound quality is UTTER crap, and generally the dumb shits that listen to music in this way prefer atrocious commercial hiphop, Lady Gaga, or trash metal.
I've listened to this exact cut five times in as many days and its still holds my attention.
At first, I was fascinated by Santana's guitar and I thought this was his greatest composition. I grew up to learn, years later, that it wasn't his, which was a bit of a disappointment. Fletwood Mac's tune sounded a bit darker for me and went on carving my soul. I got over my disappointment with Santana, as he has some other excellent tunes, but then i felt like he went hunting for popularity... I know it is not a good thing to say, but I thought he was a sell out. 
I saw a video where Santana played this and had Peter Green on stage with him. Both seemed really enjoy jamming this out though Peter Green did seem overwhelmed by Carlos' playing

Found it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj8rHPEyPU4
 leap wrote:
{#Good-vibes} I got TWO black magics women last night!!! lot of thc, and chocolates...{#Cool} kool
 
...and they thaught  you to lie?
Please play Fleetwood Mac version, that one works better for me. 
I gave this a 9. Saving the 10 for when Bill plays the ORIGINAL Fleetwood Mac version of Black Magic Woman, which I like even better!

 eltom wrote:
Oh Man, shut down the Santana-Thing. Much overrated, guitar goes on someone nerves.
 
Yeah, sure, less good than tokyo hotel obviously !

{#Good-vibes} I got TWO black magics women last night!!! lot of thc, and chocolates...{#Cool} kool


Still love it!
 ollieD wrote:
This is timeless !!! I've been listening for this for almost 20 years... I've never got bored of it!!
 
40 years for me. Still fresh as the first time I heard it.
 
 Geecheeboy wrote:
I never noticed the cowbell before.
 
What the?...

I never noticed the cowbell before.
 Jefalump wrote:
Maybe it’s time Santana went into Low Rotation…….
 
HERETIC!  Ready the stake and the bonfire!  (Who's got a match?)

 Jefalump wrote:
Maybe it’s time Santana went into Low Rotation…….

 
Na, not yet.  Give it another 40 years...


Maybe it’s time Santana went into Low Rotation…….

Saw this documentary the other night on the BBC - https://212.58.246.123/programmes/b011s5k1  the Santana Story: Angels and Demons

It put into perspective the entire Santana story and as a direct result this tune has gone up to a solid 10.