Wednesday, April 23, 2008

4/20 Santana/ Derek Trucks Band


I bought tickets for this show about 4 months before the show. I have to admit, I wasn't very fired up to see it. Its been a rough road lately with a loved one battling a illness and my mind has been elsewhere. As the days rolled toward this show, I began to listen again to Santana.

I have always loved his first 3 albums. Very gritty and yet beautiful, ethnic and yet accessible. Even as a young man, I loved the sound of Carlos Santana's guitar. I can only describe it as a cry like tone. I can usually pick out a Carlos tone in about 2 notes, very distinctive. It very releasing to me, and I have turned to those albums several times for several reasons.

So, it was with a bit of irony that I would be going to a Santana show ( I saw them in 1982 as my 2nd ever concert) when I was feeling kinda down and needed some "healing". I was hoping to hear more of the early gritty stuff, and less of the radio friendly stuff that he has been putting out the last decade or so. Some of it is good, but much of it doesn't come close to the early raw stuff.

The show began with a mix of both. I was enjoying the show but it wasn't really hitting me. Then Carlos stopped the show, and spoke to the crowd. He spoke about how we all are a light, and even though we all have varying degrees of pain, happiness, success and failure, we all can shine our light. Now some yo-yo's thought that meant to light lighters up....and others took it as a much deeper spiritual comment. To each its own, I think you know how I took it. :-)

Then, as if on cue. Carlos ripped into 4 songs that were some of my favorite Santana release songs.


1.Batuka
2. No one to depend on
3. Incident at Neshabur
4.Everybodys Everything.

It was great. I loved it and felt released. As you know, I connect with music on that level. I am so glad to have it in my life.

The show as a whole, was solid. It was a night I wont forget, not just for the music but for the emotions.

3 comments:

Bar L. said...

Thanks for sharing this with us. I am glad it turned out to be a positive experience.

Been praying.

Lori said...

I'm glad you were able to do this for yourself.

Remember to be gentle with yourself during this time and tread lightly. I think of and pray for your dad - and for you.

Blessings.

BeckEye said...

I hope all will be well soon with your dad. It's amazing how something as simple as a concert can really lift your spirits when you need it. I felt the same way when I saw Squeeze right after my dad had heart surgery. I made sure to tell Glenn Tilbrook how much it meant to me when I met him. I think he appreciated the thought...his response seemed heartfelt. I felt lucky to get the rare opportunity to tell a musician how much their music has meant to me!