If you're new to Santana as a result of the phenomenal "Supernatural" try this CD. You won't find any other pop stars contributing on this CD, just classic Santana. Here you'll find many of his standard numbers including "Samba Pa Ti", "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen" and "Soul Sacrifice". The live performance is inspired and full of great improvisational work. Case in point is how he breaks into some Coltrane and Doors riffs during "Soul Sacrifice". He uses other familiar tunes on some other tracks including a borrowing of some riffs from an old Joe Cuba Septet number "El Pito"(I'll never go back to Georgia). The concert was from a tour in 1993 and many of the songs are 30 years old but they still rock. "Europa" is guaranteed to get your partner in the mood, a steamy romantic tune that is hot, hot, hot. You'll also hear Santana addressing the crowd in Mexico, his birthplace, with his message of love, peace and harmony. This is vintage Santana playing some of his best music for his Latino brothers and sisters live. This is the exception regarding live performances as the music is recorded excellently, just enough audience to capture the mood but stronger on the masters guitar work. One of his best of many fabulous albums. You won't be disappointed with the video either. Viva Santana!

Still remember when I got this CD. I left the store and played it in my car. "No One to Depend On" sent me through the roof. I called a friend of mine who also likes Carlos' music, picked him up, and drove to Old San Juan. Drove across a boulevard, watching the sea waves, and listening to Black Magic Woman, Oye Como Va, etc. over and over. The LD really complemented the album with "Batuka" and "Wings of Fire"... I knew it was a matter time before Carlos would hit the charts again and remain there with multi platinum sales; i.e., Supernatural. !Que Viva Santana!

I had this album in my dorm room in college, and this was the most exciting and enjoyable album I had during my college years. This is fun, fast, heavy Santana at his best, backed by an excellent band. On the strength of this album, I have become a very devout Santana fan, but Sacred Fire was his best.

Sacred Fire: Santana Live in South America is a nice recording of an early 90's Santana concert.
The sound quality is first-rate.
The musicians, while very good, are no match for the Santana band of the late 60's and early 70's.
Of course, Carlos Santana's fiery guitar still has the power to carry the show.
I didn't particularly care for a few of songs on this album (like Esperando and Make Someone Happy) but the renditions of their earlier works like "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen" and "Toussaint L'Overture" are fantastic.
Overall a rewarding musical experience but for the best live recording of a Santana performance I'll stick to "Lotus".

This really is a 5* item. I bought this after seeing it several times on TV (PBS). The music is great, the footage really does seem to have captured a particularly magical concert. The Mexico City footage is also inspiring. For not much more than a CD you get a great selection of music, a visual spectical and a chance to watch Carlos play (I am a guitarist -- so I like to watch how he plays). Wonderful!

[Isn't Mexico considered Central America rather than South America though?!]