Carlos Santana gets political at BOK show http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=269&articleid=20110909_269_D3_CUTLIN643958
His incendiary guitar was matched with emotional talk of creating peace. By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR 9/9/2011 Guitar legend Santana's set started fervently Wednesday night at the BOK Center, with three percussionists, joined by two keyboardists, then horns and guitars. Santana walked out to a standing ovation, dressed in white hat, trousers and shirt and a blue-black vest. He quickly eclipsed the clamor as he hunkered over his guitar. He raged into a hip-hop mashup of the AC/DC classic "Back in Black," and mastered a medley that included "Singing Winds, Crying Beasts," "Black Magic Woman" and "Gypsy Queen." He sometimes stood tucked back from the stage, near the percussionists, a mystic in the midst of his element, pulling power from his backing band and simultaneously energizing it. Not so with "Oye Como Va," where he and guitar took center stage, white-hot spotlight shimmering at his feet. His energy swept over the rapt audience. A 10-piece band backed Santana as he blazed through nearly three hours of music, including extended jams and medleys of "Foo Foo," "Jingo," "Evil Ways," "Love Supreme," "Sunshine of Your Love," "Maria Maria," "Smooth," "Soul Sacrifice" and more. His set only gained momentum. Opening act Michael Franti joined the guitarslinger for several songs, as well. If there was any early impression that age had mellowed the musician, he soon dispelled it. He stirred emotions not only with his music, but with his heart. He spoke openly of the "currency of fear" he believes is traded in America. He's as anti-war and pro-civil rights as he's ever been. "We are the weapons of mass compassion," Santana proclaimed. He spoke of youth and education, and ending war and hate, his admiration for Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa. Several in the audience jeered, yelling at him to stop talking and start playing. "This is who I am. This is who I've always been. ... I can't change it," he responded. "... Perfect love casts out fear. ... Put that on the front of the Pentagon," the outspoken musician said. He repeated it: "Perfect love casts out fear." And again. Cheers rose from the audience in support of Santana. His brand of patriotism is perhaps its own rare form of currency, as a musician who came of age in the heady, heavy days of war and Woodstock. He plays with soul and speaks his mind. This Mexican-born music icon proclaims his love - his love - for this country and the opportunities he's seized, opportunities that we all have as Americans, and opportunities Americans often take for granted. He rallied the crowd with his steadfast and consistent message. "It's such a wonderful, glorious feeling being here in your presence tonight," he said. He raised his hands, palms open, then greeted the audience in Spanish. Several Mexican flags went up in the audience. At one point, his wife, Cindy Blackman, commanded the drum kit for a powerful rendition of "Corazon Espinado," as Santana turned to face her. An astounding, other-worldly, near-feral drum solo followed, and was practically overpowered by cheering fans. Men raised their beers. Women stood, gape-mouthed, applauding. A roaring, jumping, hand-waiving ovation followed Blackman's performance. Justifiably. "Light and love ... Is a way we can transform this planet and have peace in our lifetime." He repeated himself. "We can have peace in our lifetime." Jennifer Chancellor 918-581-8346 [email protected] . -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Sixties-L" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/sixties-l?hl=en.
