Gregg Rolie  - Rain Dance
www.greggrolie.com

Rating: A-

Sometimes things come into popular culture that are truly timeless.  “The Honeymooners,” “Casablanca” and the music of Santana are all examples of the best that creative beings have to offer.  The creation lives beyond the creator and the gift lasts forever. 

Gregg Rolie realizes just how important the music he made with Santana truly is.  It is emotive, suggestive, daring, sexy and groovy.  Most of all it is original for its time and, like most great works of art, it has been imitated yet never topped.  “Jingo,” “Oye Como Va” and Santana’s version of “Black Magic Woman” are timeless classics that Rolie is pumping full of life to this very day.  After all, the vocals belonged to him, as well as the iconic organ playing that gave Santana its backbone.  One need look no farther than the song “Gypsy Queen” on Rain Dance to prove how intense Rolie and band can be. 

Gregg throws in a few songs from his critically acclaimed Roots album and a blues standard or two.  Vocally, Rolie remains at the top of his game.  Musically, he is playing at a high level and he has surrounded himself with top-notch musicians, including fellow co-Santana founding member Michael Carabello and bass master Alphonso Johnson and close friend Ron Wikso on drums. The man of the hour, many times throughout this live set, however, is guitarist Kurt Griffey, for if he could not deliver the goods for this style of music Rolie would just be spinning his wheels.   

If you think rock is dead then you have not heard Rain Dance.  This live set is packed with powerful songs, amazingly complex musical passages and outstanding vocals.  You deserve to hear this album.  Visit Gregg’s website and check out Rain Dance today.  

-          Jeb Wright