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 I've listened back to the CDs where CT is playing with the Band. He is playing plastic pianos (synthesizers) more often than I realized. As you may know I've always strongly disliked that plastic synth sound. Most of his recordings are like that though. Limited hammond on record. I was reviewing my favorite CT moment and really had difficulties selecting one (and not because of surplus of reasonable alternatives). What would be your choice?
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Chester is and was a super player beyond many!!!..I am sure carlos misses his presence as well as his playing dearly.Having seen the new player once, it is perhaps not fair to say ,that no one could replace the likes of Chester.I have a strong suspicion he will be back.I have seen the band live perhaps 30 times over the last 20 years.Again, no one can play like Chester on keyboards......
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Vrank_1 wrote:I've listened back to the CDs where CT is playing with the Band. He is playing plastic pianos (synthesizers) more often than I realized. As you may know I've always strongly disliked that plastic synth sound. Most of his recordings are like that though. Limited hammond on record. I was reviewing my favorite CT moment and really had difficulties selecting one (and not because of surplus of reasonable alternatives). What would be your choice? ...That is not a fair assesment at all.If you had seen them live, he plays a tremendous amount of hammond organ..
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Sorry Mr./Mrs. Anonymous,
I was explicitly referring to his contribution on records. In fact, I state that I was surprised to hear more synths than hammond on records where the surprise comes from the fact that I associate him more with hammond than with synths. That association is most likely driven by the fact that I saw him playing live maybe about 40 times. Last year I talked with CT and praised him for his fired-up hammond solos during live performances.
Do you think the album recording reflects his qualities as a musician really well?\
Frank
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I have heard from a very reliable source that CT has retired from the band, may show up occassionally as Gregg does on invitation from Carlos, but, for the most part I am sorry to say he is gone. He's been replaced by Frank Ravel.
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I always liked the way CT played duets with Carlos only, e.g. Wings Of Grace, Blues For Salvador, Maggot Brain!
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Hello,
For sure, CT live sound was different than the studio recordings.
We don't know if he was forced in the studio using different sounds by the producer.
His contribution musically on records was tremendous, my opinion.
He was Carlos' soul mate on stage, though.
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Favorite CT moments for me are....
1) Rotterdam 1994 ...Hammond during Sonny Sharrock - very much in the Larry Young style! Essential!
2) Savor 1992 European Tour - check the boots and dvds and you will see an almost jumping CT during his solo
3) Rotterdam 1983 - piano during Incident At Neshabur
4) Jones Beach 1997 - last show of that tour - Maggot Brain with Carlos (just a blues)
5) US TV 1995 - Wings of Grace - so laid back backing up Carlos!
6) Rotterdam 1998 - Everybody's Everything - last song of the show, last concert of the year - before Santana moved over towards Supernatural - I will never forget the astounding look CT gave the audience right after that song. I was fortunate to watch this from the stage and in a way you could see the resurrection in CT's eyes - he must have known right there and then that some day he would part from this feeling! Sad to see him leave the band; in my opinion he could have trained either Freddie Ravel or (perhaps) Salvador Santana to become the head player. Santana as a band were always fine when they had two keyboardists. Speaking of Salvador, where is he musically? The way Carlos loves his forefathers, will he love his musical father? Just a thought...
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Rank: Administration  Groups: Administrators, Registered Joined: 9/11/2009 Posts: 100 Location: Butterfly Quarter, Diemen, Netherlands
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Well, there will be a new Salvador Santana CD out mid February: "Keyboard City". Click this link for: Salvador Santana's Website. THE ALL IS MIND - THE UNIVERSE IS MENTAL
AND SWANNY'S SPIRIT DANCES IN THE FLESH
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Scott E wrote:I have heard from a very reliable source that CT has retired from the band, may show up occassionally as Gregg does on invitation from Carlos, but, for the most part I am sorry to say he is gone. He's been replaced by Frank Ravel. ouch.. that is bad news, with no offense to Freddie, ofcourse thanks for sharing, Scott... Marcel. "If it sounds like I am preaching... I am."
~Carlos Santana~
Bethel NY, July 17, 2010
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After Soul Sacrifice in 1969, I didn't pay much attention to Santana. Then sometime in the 90's I saw the thing he did with John Lee Hooker. I started following the band again, but I was just not a DVD purchaser. Then, for some reason, I was in an electronics store and purchased the Supernatural DVD. I was captivated by that musical experience and I was mesmerized by the young drummer and the keyboardist. That was really the first time I paid any attention to Chester Thompson. My full grown children laugh at what a Santana groupie I am today. I was devastated when I saw Chester was not with them lately. Is he sick? What happened?
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I have seen the band 47 times since 1985. Greg Rollie was on keyboards during the Freedom tour if I remember correctly when I saw him first. I personally believe that besides Armondo, Chester was the integrating force in the band with Carlos .
I just saw the band in Vegas (November) and was stunned when CT was not there - and you could hear it! Carlos, who always looked to his right and fed in that CT corner, was working more with the percussion (Karl and Raul) during that show. I always would purchase tickets on the left side of the stage (Chester side) because Carlos was mostly facing that direction during the show. There was a soul void during that Vegas show! No diminishing the new keyboardest talents, I just believe there is a balance that has to be recreated. It made me feel awkward not having Chester there and I am sure Carlos must be going through some major adjustment.
I am sorry to see him leave but what a blessing to have 20+ years with CT. The new band (Bennie, etc) seems to finally have all caught up with the legendary music (Live your Light Tour) which was the first time the band spooled down from the Supernatural scripted set to the totally diversified playlist. I had not heard Brotherhood since the 80's!
CT - THANK YOU! You are missed. Please let us know if you are touring independantly or with a new band. Victory is Won!
God Bless you!
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CHESTER, I WANT TO HEAR YOU AGAIN WITH CARLOS... 
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Why is CT gone? Why does Carlos have to be so secretive. Does'nt he realize that we as fans care for all the players. Just let us know. jeeeeez.
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Just saw the show last night(7-24-10) at the Taj in Atlantic City....I must say that I MISS CT !! Freddy Ravel is, without a doubt, an accomplished player in his own right, but I felt last night that he was "out of place". He does not sound like a Santana player...sorry Freddy..... Just like I still feel that Alex Rodriguez is not a true Yankee....
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Caught two East coast shows Mohegan sun and Comcast center,band was as incredible as always . Miss C.t. however Carlos has made a good choice with Freddy ,he fits.There is something truly magical with the energy and tightness of Santana.Wish more people would see them perform when they tour,for they to would be mesmerized by there incredible talent as performers and world class musicians.Best of health and happiness to Carlos and Cindy ,she is as beautiful as she is talented.
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I must say I just found about Chester's departure, and I'm in shock! Another lifetime member of the band who is now a pas player. Only Raul Rekow remains from the "historic" members of the band. Karl Perazzo and Benny Rietveld, have been part of the "modern history" of Santana, but Chester had been a fundamental part of the band since 1983.
About the new keyboardist, I feel like that show I attended in Guadalajara 2005, in which another conga player was featured instead of Raul Rekow: "Yeah, he plays good but where's Raul?".
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