Santana - S/T Self-Titled (Lion-Head) 12" Vinyl LP Album

- German release with colour photos on album back cover

Santana's debut album, a cornerstone of Latin rock, is presented here in a unique German 12" vinyl LP edition. The iconic "Lion-Head" cover art embodies the band's fusion of rock, blues, and Latin rhythms, while the back cover surprises with vibrant color photos, a departure from the original US release. This collectible piece offers a glimpse into the early days of Santana's revolutionary sound.

Santana – Self-Titled Debut Album Description:

Released in 1969, Santana's self-titled debut album marked a pivotal moment in music history. The German release of this LP, unique for its color photos on the back cover, further cemented the band's cultural impact.

Background

The late 1960s was a time of social upheaval and musical experimentation. Santana emerged from San Francisco's diverse music scene, where Latin rhythms blended with blues, rock, and jazz. Led by guitarist Carlos Santana, the band's sound was a bold departure from the norm. Their fusion of genres was both controversial and captivating, drawing criticism from purists while attracting a wide audience eager for fresh sounds.

Recording

The album was recorded at the legendary Pacific Recording Studios in San Mateo, California. The studio's relaxed atmosphere and innovative equipment allowed Santana to experiment and capture their raw energy. Carlos Santana's distinctive guitar playing, characterized by soaring melodies and blues-infused licks, became a hallmark of the band's sound.

Legacy

The self-titled debut features iconic tracks like "Evil Ways" and "Soul Sacrifice," which became anthems of the era. The album's success propelled Santana to international fame, culminating in their legendary performance at Woodstock.

German Release Notes

This German release distinguished itself by including color photographs on the back cover, an uncommon feature at the time, making it especially collectible among vinyl enthusiasts.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

1970s Latin Rock

Collector Notes / Liner Notes
  • 1: This issue of Santana's self-titled debut album has color photos of Santana on the back (other issues have black/white photos).
Label & Catalognr:

CBS 63 815 (63815) / 679 988 / XSM 139 377 – Solid Orange Label with Walking Eye around Center Hole

Media Format:

12" Vinyl Full-Length Stereo LP Gramophone Record
Album weight: 210 gram

Year & Country:

1969 – Made in Germany

Producers:
  • Brent Dangerfield – Producer
  • Santana – Producer
Photography:
  • Jim Marshall – Photography
Jim Marshall was a legendary music photographer known for capturing rock’s most iconic moments. His images of Jimi Hendrix at Monterey, Johnny Cash at San Quentin, and The Beatles defined an era. With unparalleled access, he documented the raw energy and emotion of music’s greatest legends, leaving a timeless visual legacy that continues to inspire. Read his biography

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Carlos Santana – Guitar, Vocals
  • Mike Carabello – Congas, Percussion
  • David Brown – Bass Guitar
  • José "Chepito" Areas – Timbales, Congas, Percussion
  • Michael Shrieve – Drums
  • Gregg Rolie – Keyboards, Vocals

Complete Track-listing:

Side One:
  1. Waiting
  2. Evil Ways
  3. Shades of Time
  4. Savor
  5. Jingo
Video: Santana - Jingo (1970)
Side Two:
  1. Persuasion
  2. Treat
  3. You Just Don't Care
  4. Soul Sacrifice
Video: Santana - Soul Sacrifice 1969 Woodstock live concierto HQ
Album Front Cover Photo
The album cover of Santana’s self-titled debut German Lionhead edition. The artwork is a striking monochrome line drawing of a roaring lion’s face that dominates the composition, its mouth wide open showing sharp fangs and teeth. The lion’s piercing eyes stare forward with intensity. Below its chin, the texture of its mane and the suggestion of a body merge into abstract shading. To the right, the band’s name SANTANA is written vertically in large stylized, swirling psychedelic lettering. At the upper left corner, the CBS logo with catalog number S 63815 is displayed, along with a Stereo mark. The overall design evokes raw energy, ferocity, and psychedelic artistry, characteristic of late 1960s album art.

This cover presents a powerful black-and-white illustration of a roaring lion, its jaws wide open with sharp teeth exposed and eyes glaring forward, capturing both menace and majesty in fine, intricate line work.

The mane fills the background with dense cross-hatching textures, while the lion’s body subtly fades into abstract shadow, merging realism with psychedelic imagination.

To the right, the word Santana is displayed vertically in bold, flowing, psychedelic-style lettering, emphasizing the era’s design aesthetics. In the top left corner, the CBS logo, catalog number S 63815, and a small Stereo mark complete the framing details of this German “Lionhead” edition.

Album Back Cover Photo
The back cover of Santana’s self-titled debut German Lionhead edition. The layout features track listings for Side One (Waiting, Evil Ways, Shades of Time, Savor, Jingo) and Side Two (Persuasion, Treat, You Just Don’t Care, Soul Sacrifice), printed in white text on a dark background. Beneath the song list are credits naming Carlos Santana, Mike Carabello, David Brown, José Chepito Areas, Michael Shrieve, and Gregg Rolie as group members with their instruments. Production notes list Brent Dangerfield and Santana as producers, with engineering, recording, and management credits. The cover art is attributed to Lee Conklin, while Jim Marshall is credited for the back cover photography. Along the lower section, six color photographs by Marshall depict the band in performance: Carlos Santana in close-up with his guitar, Mike Carabello at the congas, David Brown at the bass, José Chepito Areas on percussion, Michael Shrieve at the drums, and Gregg Rolie at the keyboards. The CBS logo and catalog number S 63815 appear in red at the upper right corner, with Stereo marking, while fine print at the bottom notes the pressing is Made in Germany.

The back cover is dominated by a stark black background with white lettering, listing the album’s two sides: Side One with “Waiting,” “Evil Ways,” “Shades of Time,” “Savor,” and “Jingo,” and Side Two with “Persuasion,” “Treat,” “You Just Don’t Care,” and “Soul Sacrifice.”

Beneath the track listing are detailed credits naming all band members and their roles, with producers Brent Dangerfield and Santana noted, and additional mentions of engineering, recording, and management support. Artwork is credited to Lee Conklin, while Jim Marshall is acknowledged for the vibrant back cover photos.

Along the bottom, six vivid color photographs capture the band in performance: Carlos Santana immersed in guitar playing, Mike Carabello at the congas, David Brown on bass, José Chepito Areas framed in red light on percussion, Michael Shrieve in dynamic motion behind the drums, and Gregg Rolie performing at the keyboard. The CBS logo with catalog number S 63815 and Stereo mark are positioned in the upper right, with fine print noting that the record was made in Germany.

Close up of Side One record’s label
Close-up of Side One record label for Santana’s self-titled debut German Lionhead edition, CBS catalog number S 63 815 with matrix 679 988 A / XSM 139 377. The design features a vivid solid orange background with the iconic CBS Walking Eye logo centered around the spindle hole. Text is printed in black, listing tracks Waiting, Evil Ways, Shades of Time, Savor, and Santana with respective publishing credits and durations. The label includes stereo designation, GEMA rights society mark, and Made in Germany notice, encircled by fine legal text along the rim.

This image shows the bright orange CBS Side One record label for the German “Lionhead” pressing of Santana’s debut album. The bold CBS Walking Eye logo dominates the center, surrounding the spindle hole.

The printed text identifies the catalog number S 63 815 with matrices 679 988 A / XSM 139 377. It lists the five tracks of Side One, including “Waiting,” “Evil Ways,” “Shades of Time,” “Savor,” and “Santana,” each with publisher credits and running times.

Additional details include the GEMA rights society mark, 33 Stereo format designation, and “Made in Germany” along the rim, accompanied by fine print copyright and performance rights text encircling the label edge.

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