Search - Santana - Live by Request on DVD

Dishonest Packaging

HT Luver | 03/23/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a big Santana fan, and bought this DVD with a Dolby Digital insignia on the back of the label at Best Buy, expecting that the format was DD 5.1, and why shouldn't it be?

But once I got it open and in the DVD player I discovered that the format was - PCM ONLY! There is no "setup" option in the menu and no audio format choice - NO DD period.

Companies like Sony/Arista spend millions on PR combatting piracy. But piracy works both ways - in this case Arista (Sony) took my money and fraudulently fobbed-off this poorly produced product.

This is 2006 and to produce a music DVD that is "PCM only" is nothing short of idiotic.

Don't buy this video expecting that the producers have made any effort to give you value for your money, because they haven't.

Aren't these guys ever accountable?

This shortchanging of consumers is becoming all too common. For instance,"The Island" was distributed in Canada with DD5.1 in french, but only DD2.1 in english.

Even after the mistake came to light and buyers realized they had been fleeced, the producers made their customers go through all kinds of hoops to obtain the correct DD5.1 english copy.

The distributors even refused to replace copies, that were sold to video stores, with the "authentic"DD5.1 version, seemingly willing to commit fraud with every rental."

Disappointed for this edition

Jorge A. Gianserra | Tucuman, Argentina | 11/18/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, sorry for my english, I'm from Argetina
I saw the concert on TV "Live By Request" on Thursday 18th of October of 2002, I was one who ask by telephone for a song. I'm Jorge from Tucuman - Argentina. I've requested "Oye Como Va". Why I'm disappointed ?, because Sony BMG made a cheap edition, doesn't have good sound, no Dolby 5.1, just only a simple Stereo sound LPCM.
Is not like the others early DVD edition from that show Live By Request, as, Bee Gees, Tony Bennet, Don Henley, Earth, Wind & Fire, etc, they Edited those DVD complete, whith all the phones call and the interview to the bands.
I hope they can fix this error of edition, doing another DVD as Special Edition.
I like the sound of Santana of the 70's, and the excelent arrengment that he made on Santana Brothers. I saw him in USA 33 years ago (1972), and I'm going to fly 1.200 km to see him in Buenos Aires the 11th of March of 2006
But, for this Live By Request bad edition, I rate this DVD with a 3 stars and because the sound is only LPCM
Thank you very much"

Great As Always!

The California Consumer | 03/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you enjoy Carlos Santana, there are three DVD's to get: Supernatural Live, Sacred Fire, and now, Santana, Live by request. This DVD gives you a very true look at what most Santana concerts are like(with the exception of the varios guest performers). Concert videos are great in that, they show how well performers perform in real-time settings. Any garage band can make a video but when you're in front of a live audience, that's a different story.

Good camera work, nice angles, good sound mixing and a very professional overall production. I would have liked to have seen an additional half hour but it was put together by A&E for TV so there's your time limits. Glossy but not over produced.

I've heard people comment that he sounds the"same" over the years. What these people don't realize is Santana has crafted "his sound". No one else sounds like Carlos Santana, hearing just one sustained note, you can tell right away it's him. Carlos' sound basically is, a choice of three or four PRE Santana I guitars(sorry kids, the PRS guitars he uses are nothing like the Santana models available at the local Guitar Center). Paul Reed Smith probably set up & tweaked the guitars personally. For amps, he has two Dumble Overdrive Reverb heads plugged into two BrounSoun Cabs each with four ToneTubby Hemp Cone speakers and an original Mesa Boogie Mark I head plugged into a single 12" Altec speaker in a square cabinet. For effects, (he uses very few), an Ibenez Tube-Screamer, an old Mutron Wah pedal, and rumor has it, a T-Rex Replicator delay pedal. The rest is pure musical talent.

If you've followed his career, you see a definite evolution in his playing style. It is "not the same old stuff". He has amazing feel for the music, he knows when to turn-it-up on his solos and when to temper it. Listen closely, his solos are all different. He'll incorporate his unique styling licks but it's not like the same solos played over and over again that you hear from so many other current guitarists.

This DVD is really an accurate look at what his concerts are like. He plays often here in his native Northern California and most of concerts are in smaller, more intimate, theatre venues as in this video. "Santana, Live Request" is definitely a nice
addition to your music collection."

Not quite supernatural........

dc777 | Austin, Texas United States | 11/20/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This is the 3rd installment of Carlos and Friends and, quite frankly, I'm tired of it. I mean really, who's career is the record company looking out for? I hope this is the final installment and so Carlos can get back to being an artist.

I purchased the promo CD that Target offered and I was very suprised at how bad this set is. The sound is terrible to start. The first track, "Smooth" is ok, however there should have been a bridge to "Tu Amor" to make it sound logical instead of a gap. Carlos sounds weak on guitar through out - could be the editing.....or lack of. Or...it could be this is Santana's way of expressing his frustration of being a pawn for the record company. And the brass section......need I say anymore?

I did see a copy of the DVD at the store and the whole package looks cheap. Poor photo's, packing, and overall presentation. Based on it's appearance I would have guessed it was a bootleg than an offical release from the record company. Yieks!!

A by track critique:

"Smooth/Tu Amor" - sloppy, over kill on the horns, and no bridge to "Tu Amor" - which makes the whole song sloppy.

"Black Magic Woman" - probably the best track. Sounds like Greg Rolie on vocals?

"Oye Como Va" - the other good track on this set.

"Maria, Maria" too ghetto to be cool. The Product G&B are too busy 'keepin' it real' and cause a big distraction to the song - the crowd seemed to love it, however.

"The Game of Love" - sounds like a rehersal more than anything else. Michelle Branch who is usually good sounds terrible and Carlos.......is he plugged in? I can't seem to hear him.

"Europa" - terrible arrangement. Carlos isn't allowed to shine. I guess the 20 something crowd has never heard this song - on the "Sacred Fire" disc the crowd knows the opening riff. At the end of the song the band receives a "golf clap" and rightfully so. This song is usually a show stopper.

"Soul Sacrifice" - terrible arrangement. Over kill on so many levels.

If you want a great live CD, get "Sacred Fire" or "Supernatural"."