However, he soon found himself amid the multicultural atmosphere of San Francisco, with all of its diverse influences and musical styles.
In 1960, Carlos' family moved to San Francisco while Carlos stayed in Tijuana for another year to make extra money until his family was settled. As he continued to play with different bands along the busy "Tijuana Strip", he not only started to perfect his style and sound, but actually started bringing home enough money to really help his family. Soon he was being asked to join local bands like the "T.J.'s", where he added a unique touch and feel to his own renditions of all the great songs of the 1950's. The eight-year old Carlos quickly left the violin for the guitar, studying and emulating the sounds of B.B. The drastic change of moving from the small, quiet town of Autlan to the humming, thriving boom town of Tijuana brought a renewed hope and opportunity for a new life. Carlos wanted to play the kind of music that was filling the radio waves and making people dance. Although Carlos' excitement for music would be sparked by his first experience, he quickly discovered the limits of its traditional form and wanted more. An accomplished mariachi violinist and experienced musician, he taught Carlos the basics of music theory and gave him an understanding of the value of a note. Each of these three projects offers a glimpse, an added dimension, of a soul that has touched millions around the world.Ĭarlos was introduced to "traditional music" by his father, Jose. The CD includes songs by Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Coltrane. In "LIVE FOREVER", the debut release on his Guts & Grace label, Carlos paid his respects to some contemporaries whose spirits continue to provide musical inspiration for us all. In "SACRED FIRE", a 97 minute video and 13-song CD released by Polydor in 1993, Carlos captured the excitement and spirit of his live concerts in Mexico and South America with a mix of his biggest hits as well as some previously unrecorded material. The "Brothers" album (on Island Records), described as "a banquet of musical treats and surprises", has Carlos sharing the spotlight with two special guitarists - brother, Jorge Santana, and nephew Carlos Hernandez in his recording debut. In every performance, Carlos shares with his audience a personal communication that crosses all boundaries and differences, and makes all people, one people, one family.Ĭarlos' music embodies a living heritage of music and family. The spirit of truth, the spirit of Brotherhood. His is a tone of vibrant energy that bathes the human soul and awakens the unconscious spirit. You won't be disappointed with the video either.All the world knows the special magic of Carlos Santana as expressed through his music and his guitar playing, which is among the most distinctive and recognizable in all music. This is the exception regarding live performances as the music is recorded excellently, just enough audience to capture the mood but stronger on the masters guitar work. This is vintage Santana playing some of his best music for his Latino brothers and sisters live.
You'll also hear Santana addressing the crowd in Mexico, his birthplace, with his message of love, peace and harmony. "Europa" is guaranteed to get your partner in the mood, a steamy romantic tune that is hot, hot, hot. The concert was from a tour in 1993 and many of the songs are 30 years old but they still rock. He uses other familiar tunes on some other tracks including a borrowing of some riffs from an old Joe Cuba Septet number "El Pito"(I'll never go back to Georgia). Case in point is how he breaks into some Coltrane and Doors riffs during "Soul Sacrifice".
The live performance is inspired and full of great improvisational work.
Here you'll find many of his standard numbers including "Samba Pa Ti", "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen" and "Soul Sacrifice". You won't find any other pop stars contributing on this CD, just classic Santana. If you're new to Santana as a result of the phenomenal "Supernatural" try this CD.