You would not normally think that winding down your weekend
on a hot Sunday evening would include a trip to DTE Energy Music Theatre for a
concert, but with Santana in town that day, it was the perfect way to cap off a
steamy, stifling week with cool riffs, breezy blues and a tranquil relaxation
that sailed forth from the stage. Casually strolling on to stage a few minutes
early, as if out for a stroll in the park, Santana eased the crowd in to the
night with “Pig’s Snout” mixed in with “Stranger in Moscow”. Backed by a 10 piece band, utilizing
horns, keyboards, multiple percussion instruments and a steady, grooving bass,
the band segued in to “Love Is You, Love Is Me”, eliciting a rousing cheer from
the audience. Never breaking sweat, steadily playing along, they kept the crowd
in tune with a short section of “Black Magic Women” which in turn led to “Gypsy
Queen”, before finally finding their way on to “Oye Como Va”.
With 40 years of music under his belt, Santana had no end of
surprises in store for the crowd. The pavilion was packed to the rafters, the
crowd extended deep out on to the lawn, people everywhere dancing and clapping,
bodies swaying, dresses sashaying. Young and old alike were smiling as they
kept on in to the night with “Europa”, “Maria Maria”, “Soul Sacrifice”, and
even tossing in some short covers from Michael Jackson, The Doors, and Elvis.
It’s certainly no surprise why Santana has the legacy he
does with the accessibility his music brings, transcending genres, boundaries,
and perhaps even the cosmos. It was a pleasant evening, a perfect end to the
weekend, and you should find your way to the next appearance at any venue he
appears at.
The Santana Shape Shifter tour continues on with The Allman
Brothers Band opening at the following summer dates.
July 20-21 Borgata
Spa & Resort Event
Center Atlantic City, NJ
July
22 Darien
Lake Performing Arts
Center Darien Lake, NY
July
24 Nikon at Jones Beach
Theater Wantagh,
NY
July
25 PNC
Bank Arts
Center
Holmdel, NJ
July
27 Saratoga
Performing Arts Center
Saratoga,
NY
July
28 The Comcast
Theatre
Hartford, CT
July
30 Merriweather Post
Pavilion
Columbia,
MD
