Santana and McLaughlin – “The Life Divine” Live

Two Legends In One Show!

On July 1, 2011; the people of Montreux witnessed an epic live performance by two legendary guitarists. Each of them may have been regulars but this was the first time for the two to dominate the stage for a concert together. Their listing included tracks from their “Love Devotion Surrender” album along with other songs. Man, how I wish I was there to witness all these!

The “Love Devotion Surrender” album was released on July 20, 1973 and it was an amazing collaboration. The back-up for them were The Mahavishnu Orchestra and Santana band.

According to his biographer Marc Shapiro, Santana had much to learn from McLaughlin: “He would sit for hours, enthralled at the new ways to play that McLaughlin was teaching him,” and his new spirituality had its effect on the music: “the feeling was that Carlos’s newfound faith was present in every groove.”

• Received gold certification
• Peaked at number 7 in the UK Pop Albums
• Ranked number 14 in the US Pop Albums

The song’s first part is extensive, high-tempo improvisation by Santana, alternating between quick phrases and long, sustained notes (including one that runs from 3:30 to 4:03). Midway through the song and introduced by the “life divine” chant, McLaughlin takes over with mostly high-speed staccato bursts and riffs. The chant returns, incorporating “it’s yours and mine,” and Larry Young’s organ, with percussion, provide the outro.

All the songs in the album are beautifully moving. You can feel how much passion they put in during the recording and listening to their live performance is simply magical. It has received 4.5 out of 5 stars from AllMusic!