Santana at Xcel Center
Posted on April 20th, 2008 – 11:30 PMBy Chris Riemenschneider
As I said in my review (click here to read it online), both “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como Va” were on the printed set list handed out around the stage but didn’t actually make it into the set. Do you fans mind that he didn’t play them? Been there/done that or do you expect ‘em every time? Also, what did you think of the whole peace-guru/mystic-shaman aspect of the show? Was it a bit too much, even for Carlos, or did you buy into it?
As far as his guitar playing goes, I thought “Incident at Neshabur” was the highlight of the night, a mix of elegance and fierceness. The two jams with Derek Trucks (noted below with *) were also pretty amazing. Here’s the edited version set list … not 100% sure it’s still accurate, but close:
1. Peace/Jingo 2. Life Is For Living 3. Everybody’s Everything 4. Put Your Lights On 5. Africa Bamba 6. Capri 7. Maria Maria 8. Foo Foo 9. Corazon Espinado 10. Incident at Neshabur 11. Batuka/No One to Depend On 12. Taboo/The Calling* 13. Shake Your Money Maker* 14. Brotherhood 15. Yaleo 16. Right On/Umi Says 17. Gypsy Queen 18. Apache/Smooth/Dame
Encore: 19. Soul Sacrifice 20. Angel Chant/Into the Night
17 Responses to "Santana at Xcel Center"
Nice read. Thank you.
Jim Baldwin
Spokane WA
my site: http://LetHerIn.org
I have seen Santana now 6 times since 1977. My favorite part of this show was the Santana / Trucks performance of Key to the Highway during Derek Trucks’ set. This was absolutely a smoking performance that many people might not have seen - the building was about 1/2 full at the time. Santana doesn’t usually play blues (and it was very rewarding to see / hear) and the guitar playing by both men was outstanding.
As far as Santana’s set, I had not seen Incident at Neshabur, Batuka or No One to Depend On so I would gladly trade these for not seeing BMW and Oye Como Va (since I’ve seen ‘em at all other shows). The opener, Jingo was a very good performance compared to shows over the past.
Just 2 negatives for me was Santana allowing his backup guitar man to take the entire solo on Everybody’s Everything and then the fact that Soul Sacrifice was cut in half especially since they did the big buildup with the Woodstock video and chant as the song started. You definitely did not get the whole “Woodstock Version”
BG
I haven’t seen Santana in 35 years. I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I agree about Heshubar but also liked Batuka and Jingo. Great opener. Didn’t mind the shorter “Sacrifice” because mid-song he did Spartacus!
After seeing the first Derek Trucks/Santana jam in the opening act (kick yourself if you arrived late) I said to my husband “This alone was worth the price of admission”. But then came “Jingo” and I was absolutely blown away. Fabulous show(Carlos played 2 1/2 hours!!) with fabulous words from Carlos- I think he’s too cool to come across as preachy. By adding some humor “Do you hear us Condoleeza Rice?” he was able to convey his important message; and witnessing this man’s joy - he must know something!
After reading the review, I’m glad to have missed this show.
Why do musicians seem to think anyone would be interested in their political opinions?
Shut up and play.
Whomever you rip on, you will most likely piss off a large portion of your fan base.
I agree with the comments. Shut up and play.
It was incredible!! Love Derek. I saw him with the ABB at the state fair. Great Concert!!!!
Carlos is amazing, but Derek Trucks’ buttery slide playing stole the show. The kid is a total phenom and one of the most soulful and elegant guitar players on the planet. Unlike Carlos, Mr. Trucks lets his guitar do all of the talking.
Derek Trucks was UNREAL in the opening slot, and in his guest spot during the main set. I think he’s duly noted as one of Rolling Stone’s “new guitar gods.” Understated personality but spot-on slide playing - I love that he plays one guitar, one amp, one set.
Santana was on fire - I wish we would have gotten Oye Como Va - BMW I can live with out but Oye would have completed my night. I heard a lot of older fans complaining at the end of the show “he didn’t play the old stuff!” - “Song of the Wind” was one that it seemed would have been appreciated on the setlist. I loved the mix of old/new/instrumental/vocal - Maria, Maria, Smooth, and Into The Night were great radio-played additions, and mixed into the right parts of the set.
The one thing I can honestly complain about is the crowd - I’m used to the raucous and nearly-always-sold-out crowds of Chicago and Milwaukee. This crowd was mild and tame to say the least. For what Santana was doing on stage - I would have love to see more crowd appreciation.
Are Twin Cities crowds always so staid? (And don’t give me the St. Paul/Mpls excuse - I’ve seen shows at Target Center and First Ave, and y’all are one in the same to a transplant like me.)
Overall, fun concert - FANTASTIC music from both performers, and a great opportunity to see a living guitar legend live and (still) playing in his prime and nurturing a new guitar legend on his way up.
VERY Impressed by Derek Trucks,but disappointed he and his band did not perform “ANYDAY” as they did in the Clapton Crossroads show (spectacular if you haven’t seen it. Carlos blew me away as usual. Cannot say enough about the talent in that horn and percussion section either. I I agree with the comments about “Key to the Highway” ..if you missed it,you missed a rare treat. I told my wife that the political comments don’t bother me,I am used to “COSMIC CARLOS” and even appreciated what he has to say about unity. Who can argue with that. I did get a laugh out of his comment when talking about relationships ” DO YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY,OR DO YOU WANT TO BE RIGHT “Also was waiting for BMW,OYE,and Evil Ways.. been there done that though and appreciated Derek coming back on.
Wow! What a great show from Carlos. I have seen Carlos and his band about 10 times to date starting back in 1980. While he has made records that have had some hits, he is in his element when he plays more of the Latin Acid Jam type music.
Several times in the show, Carlos asked the audiance, “Do you want mellow or do you want intense?” and the Crowd shouted for “Intense”.
Intense was what we got. The duet with his Trumpet Player was out of this world! No regrets from this Santana Fan.
“Are Twin Cities crowds always so staid? (And don’t give me the St. Paul/Mpls excuse - I’ve seen shows at Target Center and First Ave, and y’all are one in the same to a transplant like me.)”
no, only boring shows by people 30 years past their prime
Great show and anyone who has seen Cas and company in the past knows that he always delivers some political rants during his show. Get it over it lamo Minnesotans! If I remember correctly this is a free country and you can say what you want. If you don’t like it don’t go to the show!!! A few years back at Jazz fest in Nawlins Toby Keith was spouting off his mouth in support of Bush and Company not to mention I am sure kqrs’s Lynyrd Skynyd never does at their shows right?
Derek Trucks Band should have played for an hour and a half. Sahib Teri Bandi-Maki Madni would have woken those 50 year old account executives the hell up. I say shows like this should be one price general admission. That way the people that really want to crowd the front can do so and there is space to dance or sit if you want to but an open floor. I think that the price of the ticket is always in the back of the head of the person attending the concert and the people in the back are probably thinking “Man, I wish I could afford to get really close to have the most fun like those RICH people” while the people next to us who payed $225 for two seats eleventh row center (I payed $140) just sat and looked pissed the whole time. Maybe because it costs so god damn much?!? One price ticket would eliminate all this. Also, I can’t wait to see my first $10 Budweiser at a show. WTF?!? Thats economic Prohibiton.
I had 1st row seats to the show and ended up in the hospital and couldn’t make it. From what I see from these reviews I don’t really care that I did. Shut up and sing is spot on! No BMW? NO OYE??? That’s like buying a Corvette and getting the 4 cylinder version! That’s akin to malpractice! And hey, it may be a free country and all, yallllll,but not on my dime!
I loved the show overall. Derek easily stole the show but humbly since the opener can’t do that in a pc world. The intro film turned me off badly. propaganda to me. i’d rather have him just verbally spew than on film. I can take that. The strobes also bothered me (I’m not interested in having a seizure). Musically I dug it. Plus DTB = 50 min. + Carlos = 150 min. That’s a show. I met Carlos briefly in 1988 when he sat in (for a whole set) with the Neville Bros. in hippie enriched Northern Cali (cotati). He was very nice & gracious to me. Derek I met when he was 14 & I’ve kept in touch ever since (I’ve interviewed him twice). Derek is a visionary laid back genius in progress.
Good show I must say. Nice collection of material representing Santana’s forty year career. Enjoy the deeper tracks instead of monster radio hits. OK not hearing BMW & OYE. Like hearing Brown Sugar,HTW & JJF at a Stones show. Snore..zzzz. Same set list for thirtysomething years. Being also a jazz fan, the duet with Carlos and his trumpet player playing the John Coltrain tune “Naima” was a real treat. Santana still sounds great and his high notes always make the hair stand up on your neck and give you the chills. The driving primative sound of congas from the precussion section goes to the soul and insists you move and feel the music. As for too preachy; Bono/U2 same deal. These guys are simply trying to spread a little hope and optimism in an increasingly crappy world. Somehow envision a change. I could go along with that….sounds nice. Also, bring back The Derek Trucks for a long encore.
An open letter to Carlos Santana:
Wow. You have completely and utterly sold out - at least you wish you had.
Senor Santana, why continually break your neck to produce contrived, poppy poffycock. Just play good, jammy music. That’s what you do. Enough trying to rub musical elbows with the Robb Thomas’, Nickelback and Everlasts of the world. Just make a Santana record and don’t be afraid to do what you’ve always done. You’ve mellowed - fine. I’m sure you have enough dough to put your children’s children though college. Now, please: JUST MAKE GOOD MUSIC. I’m wholly confident you’re capable of doing it. Stop releasing singles with the same solo! We get it! Even my mom is tiring of this formulaic farce. Please, buddy. You’re (or once were) a virtuoso. Now you just spew B.S. and are propped up on stage.
Do yourself a favor, move to a cabin in rural Wisco (or a pueblo in nomadic Mexico) and again summon the mysticism (musical, not prophetic) that landed you the darn Woodstock gig to begin with.
I miss you, Carlo.
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