“Oye Como Va?” I bet if you were in the house for Santana's Windsor concert on Saturday, you’re probably doing just fine, thank you.
Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana brought his 2018 Divination Tour to The Colosseum for a glorious Saturday night of Latin-flavored rock. The 12-member band performed 17 songs spanning a massive 50-year career, leaving very little unturned along the way. And just like with his career, Santana began his latest concert with a three-song homage to Woodstock and his debut album from 1969.
Opening with the career-defining instrumental 'Soul Sacrifice', Santana set the mood for the evening. With its strong old-world guaguanco rhythms and pulsating Latin percussion, this is the song that introduced the world to a new Latin sound almost 50 years ago, with its unique blend of rock guitar and traditional Spanish music. The mini-Woodstock set also included 'Jingo-lo-ba' and 'Evil Ways'.
It was a rather charming scenario being there watching Santana rip through some Woodstock classics as a cluster of incense sticks burned at the front of the stage. Not only was the music taking us back to a groovier time, but the smell gave the whole experience a heavenly vibe. The whole thing felt very spiritual and lifting. Carlos himself seemed to be in great spirits and his love for the music was evident throughout.
The whole thing felt very spiritual and lifting.
Not much for chatter in between songs, Santana mostly let the music do the talking, but he did take to the mic a few times, including a bit of a plea for the audience to leave the show with a better outlook on life and the future of the planet.
“This band, since we began in 1866 (laughs), and since Woodstock, has tried to bring out a collective camaraderie with everyone,” the laid-back guitarist revealed to the crowd. “We bring no banners, no flags; none of that stupid shit. We just bring our hearts. Deception is everywhere – on every channel – it’s about fear. If you remember what was given to you before you were born, then you have the power to ignite a healing of this planet. We do not need, at this point, more religions and more politicians.”
Windsor was treated to hits like 'Black Magic Woman', 'Oye Como Va', 'Maria Maria', 'Everybody’s Everything' and 'Smooth'. He also tossed out a new instrumental song which he never named. The only essential piece that seemed to be missing from the set was an amazing cover of Jimi Hendrix's 'Voodoo Child', which was performed the next night in Ottawa.
Carlos also engaged the audience with a humorous Spanish lesson, telling a story of a woman speaking with her man who ignores her to watch television.
Santana is a classic band with a modern take on both the music and the world in general. The talent-level is astonishing in this band and its incredible use of percussion and horns made this much better than your average arena rock show. This evening, much like that of Woodstock, was all about peace, love, happiness and dancing to the infectious Latin beats.
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