The unmistakable scent of incense filled the Save-On Foods Memorial Centre as the crowd anxiously awaited guitar legend Carlos Santana and his band. The light dimmed to almost pure darkness, and a montage of Woodstock footage filled the video screen, setting the stage for the evening. Meanwhile, the man of the hour snuck out of the shadows, strapped on his guitar, hit the first note, and the nearly sold-out venue erupted into cheers.
What would follow would be a collection of Santana’s biggest hits from the ’60s and ’70s, seamlessly weaving from song to song. The set was frontloaded with Soul Sacrifice, Jingo, Evil Ways, Black Magic Woman, Gypsy Queen, Oye Como Va and Samba Pa Ti . . . all within the first six songs. It would seem like everyone was going to be on their feet grooving along all night long.
To Carlos Santana, the Blessings & Miracles tour had taken on a deeper meaning. Having always been a spiritual person, he took surviving some late 2021 heart issues as divine intervention and gave an almost evangelistic talk to the audience about it. This is nothing new for fans of Santana; he has done this at most of his shows over the last few decades, but it was when he mentioned it was Eric Clapton’s birthday that things took a bizarre turn.
Several times throughout the evening he would return to chat with the crowd about his “brother” Eric Clapton. At one point saying he’s [Clapton] has had a rough time recently and we should forgive. Obviously in reference to Clapton’s anti-vaxx sentiments in recent years. Santana was clearly preaching to the wrong crowd as we all had to show record of vaccination and most were wearing masks during the concert.
With the weirdness aside, Santana quickly returned to what we were there: for music. It included a mix of his classic and modern singles, with snippets of other songs like Iron Butterfly’s In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, The Specials’ Ghost Town and the James Bond theme. It was in these moments that his all-star backing band really shone. Vocalists Andy Vargas, Ray Greene, and Tommy Anthony took their turn filling in in their own way for the featured artists from Santana’s bigger radio hits.
Anthony, who is also guitarist with the band took on Put Your Lights On. A song that when recorded featured the gravelly vocals of Everlast was softened around the edges but still had the that palpable crunch. The same could be said for Vargas during his rendition of Maria Maria which to this day is still one of Santana’s biggest hits from the late-’90s.
Carlos Santana never had the appearance of needing a break throughout the night, only taking moments to take a sip or refresh his gum. Nearly two hours into the show, he slowly worked his way to the back of the stage but not before singling out a young fan in the front row who had been dancing the whole show to give them his pick and setlist.
While Santana slipped offstage, his drummer and wife, Cindy Blackman Santana, hammered out a nearly five minute drum solo without breaking a sweat during the encore. At 62, she could easily put most metal drummers to shame.
Soon, Carlos was back on stage to bless Victoria with what they had been waiting patiently for, Smooth and Love, Peace & Happiness.
Despite a heart scare in 2021, Carlos Santana — at the age of 74 — has a full schedule booked until late August, with a residency in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay. He shows no signs of slowing down or stopping. The mark of a true legend.
* Author’s note: Within a day of the concert I was writing this article and editing photos poolside in roughly 250km from where Carlos Santana grew up in Mexico. His photo hangs prominently behind bars throughout the area in almost religious fashion.
