Tequila, Corona and Greasy Tacos
Sometimes a band is much better live than you expect them to be. Saturday night I attended one of those extraordinary shows. I first heard Carlos Santana when I was a little boy listening to dad's albums. My father played his Abraxas album over and over. I've always appreciated Santana's guitar (something missing in today's music) and music but aside from a few of random tapes, CD's and tunes on my I-pod, I have not collected much of his work. A friend had third-row seats and VIP passes to Saturday's show. Having never seen Santana in concert it was an easy call when he invited us to the show.
The Salvador Santana Band, Carlos' son, was the opening act. Salvador plays keyboards. His band mixes the latin-rock-salsa sound with occasional rap-style vocals. Some songs are reminiscent of his father's music while others are clearly the younger Santana doing his contemporary thing. His band is perfectly suited as back up for the old man and provided a bridge for any generation gap in the audience.
I immediately liked the stage set up when it revealed Carlos' band has three drummers. Dennis Chambers was the star of the drumming trio with his traditional but enormous drum kit. He was accompanied by a conga drummer with an equally impressive set of congas and bongos. The third drummer had a dozen timbales, marimbas, bells, chimes etc. The three drum sets were visually impressive before they struck a single note. I've always been a fan of percussion. I believe it provides the foundation for most good music. I appreciate when a band features their drummer(s) rather than simply using them to keep the back beat. As great as Santana is on guitar the percussionists were the stars of the show.
I also liked that Santana employs two lead vocalists who work as a duo as well as fronting songs individually. There was a wide range in the repertoire and style of the music, also providing a bridge between generations. Carlos allows his accompanying musicians to strut their stuff, perform solos, where some headliners whose 'name is the band' tend to hog the spotlight. Santana was very generous to his band members and audience. They played for 2 1/2 hours far exceeding the average concert of today. Everyone on stage, from percussion, to keyboards through the horn section had their chance to shine, and they did.
I've seen shows where a band just gets on stage and plays their music with little difference from their recorded sound. They just stand there and play. Other musicians are entertainers giving their audience far more than expected. Carlos Santana delivered more and didn't need gimmicks or special affects to do it.
This pic below was taken with my cell phone. It's not very clear but it shows how good our seats were. It was a great show and a good time. We enjoyed anejo tequila with Corona. What else would you drink at a Santana show? I learned that a V.I.P pass means you're allowed in a garden bar where drinks are double the price. Maybe over-paying for drinks makes someone else feel important, not me. On the way home Cheryl and I stopped for 2 AM greasy tacos at Filibertos to complete the Mexican influence on our evening. There is no taco better than the one you eat in the wee hours of the morning after the clubs have closed.
The Salvador Santana Band, Carlos' son, was the opening act. Salvador plays keyboards. His band mixes the latin-rock-salsa sound with occasional rap-style vocals. Some songs are reminiscent of his father's music while others are clearly the younger Santana doing his contemporary thing. His band is perfectly suited as back up for the old man and provided a bridge for any generation gap in the audience.
I immediately liked the stage set up when it revealed Carlos' band has three drummers. Dennis Chambers was the star of the drumming trio with his traditional but enormous drum kit. He was accompanied by a conga drummer with an equally impressive set of congas and bongos. The third drummer had a dozen timbales, marimbas, bells, chimes etc. The three drum sets were visually impressive before they struck a single note. I've always been a fan of percussion. I believe it provides the foundation for most good music. I appreciate when a band features their drummer(s) rather than simply using them to keep the back beat. As great as Santana is on guitar the percussionists were the stars of the show.
I also liked that Santana employs two lead vocalists who work as a duo as well as fronting songs individually. There was a wide range in the repertoire and style of the music, also providing a bridge between generations. Carlos allows his accompanying musicians to strut their stuff, perform solos, where some headliners whose 'name is the band' tend to hog the spotlight. Santana was very generous to his band members and audience. They played for 2 1/2 hours far exceeding the average concert of today. Everyone on stage, from percussion, to keyboards through the horn section had their chance to shine, and they did.
I've seen shows where a band just gets on stage and plays their music with little difference from their recorded sound. They just stand there and play. Other musicians are entertainers giving their audience far more than expected. Carlos Santana delivered more and didn't need gimmicks or special affects to do it.
This pic below was taken with my cell phone. It's not very clear but it shows how good our seats were. It was a great show and a good time. We enjoyed anejo tequila with Corona. What else would you drink at a Santana show? I learned that a V.I.P pass means you're allowed in a garden bar where drinks are double the price. Maybe over-paying for drinks makes someone else feel important, not me. On the way home Cheryl and I stopped for 2 AM greasy tacos at Filibertos to complete the Mexican influence on our evening. There is no taco better than the one you eat in the wee hours of the morning after the clubs have closed.