It’s the day before Halloween, so I thought I’d post a seasonal tune of sorts. Any excuse to post part of the brilliant cover of Abraxas taken from a painting by Mati Klarwein, a German surrealist. As you know, I have a weakness for German surrealist artists. Come on down, Max Ernst.

Black Magic Woman was written in 1968 by Peter Green when he was Fleetwood Mac’s lead guitar player. The closing instrumental passage of the Santana version is Gypsy Queen by Gabor Szabo. I’m keeping them together: one separates a Black Magic Woman from a Gypsy Queen at one’s own peril.

We begin with Fleetwood Mac:

Santana has been part of the musical firmament for so long that’s it’s easy to forget how revolutionary their style was when they hit the scene.

Charlie Musselwhite. Say no more.

A live version from the songwriter:

Finally, an acoustic take on the Green classic by Eric Clapton:

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without instrumental versions of the week’s tune? This time, Perez Prado followed by the Vitamin String Quartet.

That’s it for this week. Let’s drink to a safe and happy Halloween for all concerned. It’s what Harold Lloyd would want. Never argue with the countdown guy.