Santana Concert Review (!011)

Santana Concert ReviewBy Jim Anaple

Santana Concert:September 21, 2011 at Cricket Wireless Amphitheater in Chula Vista, California

The show opens with the set on stage minus Carlos Santana.A television screen on either position of the level and in the heart of the level above one of the three drummers shows Carlos making his way to the present by weaving his way through back stage doors.

his picture was obviously shot earlier because the picture is during the day and the ring took the point about 8:30pm.The same video is likely used for every show.Carlos takes the present with his guitar and every extremity of the circle plays their own thing.It was like a sound-check, just noise, total distortion. Maybe it`s art if you`re seeing some bands, but I highly doubt that many longtime Santana fans really enjoyed this. It was actually annoying.It didn`t stay there.The ring went right into a rap version of AC/DC`s "Back in Black" as the two principal singers, Anthony Vargas and Tony Lyndsay, take the level and are singing, actually rapping, together at opposite ends of the stage.It`s not unjust to say that the 1st 10 minutes of the picture are a waste.

Just when you view it was going to be a long show, the lot goes into "Black Magic Woman" and then "Oye Como Va," and the band - along with Vargas and Lyndsay - nail these songs perfectly.This is what Santana fans came to see.Soon,the ring is into a definite highlight of the dark with "Maria Maria," which is from the 1999 Supernatural CD.The circle made many referrals to this album throughout the night as easily as its come up, Shaman which features the already classic "Smooth" which included Rob Thomas on vocals on the CD."Smooth" was an encore and while musically it was intact, neither Vargas nor Lyndsay could follow near to matching Thomas` vocals.

On about three occasions, Carlos provided his influential opinions which included mostly the philosophies of drawing from one`s energies and staying away from negative energies.One segment in particular went on for nearly 4 minutes.There was practically silence in the crowd, aside from some laughter.The individual I was with said they were waiting for Tony Robbins to get out.Carlos went so far as to say that President Obama and The Pope aren`t going to keep you, only you can keep you.

The end of the point included a lot of jamming, and 5 minute songs were often turned into ten minutes songs or longer.While the jamming was cool at some points, the crowd seemed to get bored with it. These jam sessions also took up a lot of present time that resulted in the deletion of a lot of tunes that would have been heavy to hear.Noticeably missing songs included "She`s Not There," "No One to Look On," and "Everybody`s Everything."Also missing were some successful songs from the late `70s and early `80s such "Delay On," "Winning" and FM radio staples of "Open Invitation" and "All I Always Wanted."

Aside from Vargas and Lyndsay on vocals, the group consisted of three drummers including Carlos` new bride, Cindy Blackman, and long-time drummer Dennis Chambers.Both drummers got their solos.Blackman`s was longer and Chambers` solo was during the encore.The circle also included guitarist Tommy Anthony, bassist Benny Rietveld, as good as keyboards, horns and other percussions.

The good quality was really good, aside for the opening 10 minutes, and loud. Unless you`re huge Santana fan, the cheap seats would go out great for you.The show lasted almost two hours and 45 minutes with one encore.

Side note:Opening was Michael Frante and Spearhead who put on a spirited 45 minute opening set.They are worth seeing.For this concert, fans who purchased lawn seats were asked to trade their tickets in for pavilion seats so that the crew would be closer together in this large amphitheatre.The lawn was closed entirely and most seats were filled.

Santana`s tour continues through November 2011 with remaining dates mostly including California venues before closing in Las Vegas.

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