Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is what it sounds like when a legend phones it in. In spite of what some have said, Carlos Santana's last couple records were not total washouts, and "Supernatural" does not deserve derision by any means. In fact, it still holds up a solid decade later. The problem is that nothing sounds impassioned, organic or genuine on "Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time," whether it be Santana's playing - which, for the most part, sounds merely pleasant and semi-rote - and the vocal contributions of the singers who make guest shots. The realization that this record is from a man who played Woodstock is, frankly, saddening. The song selections are not always so hot, either, and when they are - whether it's the immortal "Riders on the Storm" from the Doors or the inescapable brilliance of Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" - the results almost exclusively sound like top-notch karaoke than worthy covers. Half the material here may be songs so evergreen that they sell themselves, but this also works against Santana and his vocalists - they fight an uphill battle to put any stamp of originality on these covers. Santana only deserves criticism for consenting to do this project. The original idea to do a record of classic rock covers was that of record industry titan Clive Davis. He has been a shrewd businessman and a fine tastemaker throughout his career, but his strategies have primarily concerned what would sell, not what would sound good or have integrity behind it. Thirty years ago he took Melissa Manchester, who crafted idiosyncratic, adult-oriented pop, and forced her to sing maudlin adult contemporary ballads and, eventually, embarrassing bubble gum, all written by "hit makers." He has often compromised careers while in search of a buck. "Guitar Heaven..." is just the latest example. Song after song this sounds like grocery store intercom muzak, with rare exception. Chris Cornell attempts to pump life into Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," although he sounds recorded separately from Santana, which he probably is - this is music by assembly line. India.Arie and Yo-Yo Ma, unsurprisingly, sound lovely on the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Gavin Rossdale and Santana also gel well on T. Rex's "Bang a Gong." For the most part the selections are inescapably calculated and passionless. Santana's sound has not changed in years. Every note can be predicted three songs in advance. Even ice cream can get boring. Record buyers deserve better.