Santana & McLaughlin - The Life Divine (Live at Montreux 2011)

On 1st July 2011 Montreux hosted the reunion of two master guitarists Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin with their Invitation To Illumination concert. Both musicians have been regulars at Montreux across the years but this was the first time they headlined their own concert together. The show features most of the tracks from their classic 1973 album "Love Devotion Surrender" mixed in with a wealth of other material. The evening was a showcase of supreme musical virtuosity and spirituality and typified the approach of these two great artists. It is certainly a performance not to be missed.

2011 Montreux Sounds

LIVE AT MONTREUX – MONTREUX JAZZ ARCHIVES
This performance is part of the unique Claude Nobs Foundation audio-visual collection, included since 2013 in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. From Aretha Franklin or Miles Davis to David Bowie or Prince, more than 5’000 concerts have been recorded LIVE both in audio and video since the creation of the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1967 by Claude Nobs.

MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL WHERE LEGENDS ARE BORN
The Montreux Jazz Festival takes place for two weeks every summer in Switzerland, drawing 250,000 music lovers to the shores of Lake Geneva. Since 1967, the Festival has celebrated all genres of music and generated countless legendary performances. Artists who have graced the stage of Montreux include Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, Prince, Bob Dylan, Lauryn Hill, Kendrick Lamar, Leonard Cohen, Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, Nina Simone and many more.

Official Websites:

#MJF
#montreuxsounds 
#claudenobsfoundation
#montreuxdigitalproject
#MontreuxJazzFestival
#MontreuxJazz

[JulianBoyce]

Both McLaughlin and Santana cannot be compared - only as a creative compliment to each other. Bless the hands of both of them! True legends of modern music!

[edwarddejong]

Their album together is one of the greatest guitar records, in my top 10!

[Thundergod-]

I'ts beyond me why half the people on this thread are comparing these two legendary artists. They are phenomenal and compliment each other, it's not a contest....

[ronaldothomejunior]

A lot of people saying here that John is better than Santana... But how many other guitarists he called to play with him? I have a deep respect by Mc Laughlin to accept Carlos with him. And by Santana, because he don't have afraid to play with better musicians.

[jazzynet]

I was a freshman at Ohio Univ when this album came out.  Love Devotion And Surrender! I was so lucky to see Santana and Mahavishnu Orchestra and Weather Report at the same

[prajnachan]

The Life Divine-

All love and gratitude 🙏 beloved Carlos, John and friends. Truly A Love Supreme. 🕉

[RobertVeasquez]

This is pure ecstasy. Nothing short from these two masters. And the band carried them on their magic carpet thru the galaxy, past the nebula rainbows and reached out and touched the face of God.

[canaan_perry]

"Love Devotion Surrender" - came out in around 1973. It's a stunning record. Both players have incredible intensity in their own ways!!!

[skier]

I was fortunate enough to see Santana and McLaughlin in concert with their big bands in Frankfurt Germany 1973. A show worth remembering.

[santason]

For years we were waiting for this, what a gift from Carlos and John, this song has really something special, so much beautiful harmony ! How can someone dislike this, is that ***into ur ears or what ? its not mainstream enough for you ? sorry for no verse no chorus, it's just MUSIC pure music!

[JJMMWGDuPree]

I'm surprised at the number of (presumably) guitarists who come on here a criticise Santana's lack of skill. Technique is only half of the equation, what you do with it is the other half. Now I'll accept that Santana seems to be trying to play like McLaughlin, but we have no way of knowing if that's because he feels that's what this piece needs or that he can't think of anything else, and given his rich history of creating some beautiful guitar solos I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I suppose we should also remember that by this time Sanatana was suffering from arthritis pretty badly. Basically, if Carlos' style had developed in a different direction, maybe he'd have wound up playing just like John, but then we'd have been denied all those great solos that he did turn out, and we already have one John McLaughlin anyway.
As for John himself. I can never get over the fact that he is one of the few 'speed-demons' of the guitar who appears to know every note he's playing. Other guitarists can play as fast, or even faster, but they're mostly all thinking in terms of riffs, which they rattle out and fit together. Analyse John's solos and there's no repetition. He seems to be able to think at the same speed at which he plays. His synapses must be on something.

[OneBigRetard]

McLaughlin singing and fingerpicking in one video. Rare!

[lanielight]

That lady drummer is spectacular in skill! I've not seen a better one; though, men drummers and best in the world are posted for years all over the world! It's time to honor our women in Jazz. She is the best drummer lady I've ever heard and one of the best drummers of our time, period!

[flame-sky]

Oh, if they only had a video playing this back in 73!! The Chicago show, Toronto show, Santa Monica!! It's History folks!! At least they were able to do this again!!!

[fredandpattychandler]

It takes a couple of songs, for Santana to warm up, on this video. But once he does get into the the zone. Then, it's more fun for the both of these greats. McLaughlin, really brings out the best in Santana. Nice to hear them together again on stage. Great respect for this innovative music.

[lachlan]

I work with an older guy who had Carlos and John staying over at his house back in the 70s (at different times).  Apparently John is a very nice guy and Carlos is a bit grumpy in the mornings.

[SwamiOrchestra]

Maybe the most powerfull fusiontrack I know. Full of spirituality, the driving background contrasts the smooth voices. The sound of my youth, I love it!

[djangomango]

This IS the music of Trancendence... I can still remember the feelings when I first
heard this album... They recaptured the VIBE here 30+ years later... Peace !

[EffemeyJon]

Echoes of John Coltrane's a Love Supreme...beautifully played piece 

[armandoarceo]

Excelentes músicos. Es una pena que aquí en México no se le promocione y conozca tanto como en otras partes del mundo. Bien Santana!