Singing Winds, Crying Beasts

Album: Abraxas (1970)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This instrumental opens up Side 1 of Abraxas, and it segues into "Black Magic Woman" in the album. This version of "Black Magic Woman" is found in the 1998 Best of Santana compilation.
  • Drummer Mike Shrieve gets sole credit for this song, which is ironic considering there are very few drums in the song. The percussion is provided by the congas and timbales, played by Mike Carabello and Chepito Areas. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jim - Oxnard, CA, for above 2

Comments: 2

  • Barry from New York, NcThe opening cut on the album heralds Santana's move away from the psychedelic sounds featured on the first album. This song features various percussion and wind chimes as well as some tasty electric piano.
  • Miles from Vancouver, CanadaWhoa whoa whoa! Mike Carabello is actually credited as composer, which would explain why it's percussion laden.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

Randy Newman

Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.