Review: Santana, Steve Winwood

Photos by Susan Pfannmuller/Special to the Star 

The evening began about two minutes before the official starting time, and it started with a bang that had nothing to do with fireworks. Steve Winwood and his band christened their opening set with "I'm A Man," a 43-year-old rock/soul classic from his days  with the Spencer Davis Group.

 
It would end more than three and a half hours later, in a light rain, with Santana and his orchestra leading a wet but happy crowd of about 6,500 through a moment of transcendence and reverie ("Love Peace and Happiness/Freedom").

In between, the mood would ebb and flow and the rain would get hard and steady but the bottom line was unwaivering. At a time when the music business is wringing its hands over canceled shows and poor ticket sales, this show proved that fans will lay down good money when they know they're paying for a sure thing.

Winwood's one-hour set also included the Blind Faith classic, "Can't Find My Way Home," Traffic's "Empty Pages," a jaunty world-beat rendition of one of his biggest solo hits, "Higher Love," a show-stopping version of Traffic's "Dear Mr. Fantasy" (which ignited a joyous uproar) and, for his closer, an uptempo, scuffed-up version of "Gimme Some Lovin'."

His was a tough act to follow, much less top, but Santana, for the most part, succeeded. Just as he and his 16-piece ensemble of musicians and vocalists began a set that would last two hours plus change, a light rain began to fall. It gradually grew heavier and steadier, to the point that hundreds of people retreated to the shelters that flank the seats; hundreds of others put on rain gear and stayed put. 

As its novelty wore off, the rain affected the mood of the show intermittently, especially during the extended jams or one of Santana's inspirational sermons (including an anti-TV plea: Turn off "the stupid box"). And let's face it, the sound and sight-lines aren't nearly as good when you're huddled on the sidelines and towards the back. 

But those lulls were few and brief, and they were alleviated by the moments everyone came for: sure-fire renditions of "Oye Como Va," "Black Magic Woman" and "Evil Ways," a cover of Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love"; and some of his post-millennial hits, like "Maria Maria" and "Smooth," during which his vocalists (Tony Lindsay and Andy Vargas) added some contemporary hip-hop/R&B flair.

There were plenty of instrumentals, including an extended drum/percussion exhibition, and plenty of Santana's inimitable style, tone and voice on guitar. And if much of the crowd wasn't getting some of the finer points of his fusion of rock with jazz and Latin and Afro-Cuban music, it still danced and swayed to its rhythms, proving it got the essential point: In some lives, music is as elemental and essential as rain. 

And by the way, as if on cue, the rain stopped just as the show ended, which allowed fans to hang around even longer to enjoy another sure thing: the fireworks that lit up the sky over Starlight.

 Timothy Finn, The Star

Setlist: Santana's web site is posting set lists on this tour. Check here in a day or so.

Comments

[jewel]

... and there were those of us who did not put on any rain gear or retreat to the shelters!!!! I think Santana said with every rain there comes an angel. : )

[Gary Dean]

I got a desent boot of this show

musicatto@hotmail.com

[Timbalero]

I was one of the ones getting poured on last night. I am 46 years old and consider myself a big Santana fan but I was a bit disappointed by mistakes the band made during the evening. None was more noticeable than coming out of Batuka and going into No One To Depend On. Carlos had to steer them back to the turn around again. They sounded really good but they just did not gel on the cues and turnarounds very well. The need Chester Thompson on keyboards back very much. He is such a vital part of that group that it's not the same when he isn't there. I was a bit surpised with no Europa or Incident and Neshabur or an encore for that matter. I kind of felt it was deserved being in the rain all evening. Carlos also owes the older generation playing mostly stuff from the late 60's through mid 80's on a tour. After all, it's our older generation that made Santana the phenom he has become over the years. I truly love Carlos and the band but and I am not trying to be negative, but do a tour with the older guys and older songs one more time........just for us....to me....that IS Santana. BTW, Carlos, let me be your drummer.

[Kim]

Came all the way from S.Tx. to escape Alex, but it didn't matter that we met up again! Actually, it was a blessing because the people behind me left enabling me to dance, dance, dance!!! Both bands were awesome! Loved hearing the oldies, loved hearing the new generation of songs as well. Stevie, still in great voice... Carlos, thank you for spreading your positive energy to the world!!! I feel we were in the presence of musical gods!!

[JB]

The best song of the set was Soul Sacrifice, the opener.
I could have done without Carlos' preaching.

[D28bob]

First time I've seen Santana in almost 40 years - he's put on a few pounds (as have all us survivors!) but hasn't lost a step musically.

Winwood justly deserves his reputation as a prodigy even though he's no longer a teenager - his touch on the Hammond is unsurpassed and he's no slouch on the Fender either. But Santana's group had so much energy - he is the Tito Puente of his generation, bringing Latino salsa to rock. The LA scene is all about fusing the diverse musical cultures of the melting pot where East, West, North and South meet, and no one embodies it better than Santana. I could care less if they missed notes or cues here and there - in the excitement of live music with improvisations, if you don't make a few mistakes you're not pushing your limits.

It was a fantastic evening, well worth the admission price. Winwood finally got us on our feet toward the end of his set, but Carlos had us standing almost his entire show! There was a large Latino turnout, and they can be justly proud of what their compadre has brought to popular music.

[wonder]

Once again I wonder,
why doesnt Jeff Beck embrace his early music like Stevie does? If he did Jeff might have drawn a bigger crowd than he did back in April.

Another masterful review from KC's Master reviewer, Tom Finn.

[geeeez]

If you are going to compliment, at least spell his name correct you dumbass.

It is Tim Flynn with an "I", not Tom.

[Gary Dean]

Flynn ???

[pellboy]

Wonder, no negative towards Stevie but Jeff Beck has never been about fame, nostalgia or in anyway repeating himself. He's always been about moving forward musically and expanding on the boundaries of the electric guitar. I respect him for that and the total uniqueness that was his recent and very rare area performance at Starlight. Stevie is great but Jeff Beck is truly a one-of-kind type of artist.

[onthemark]

I was one of the crowd that got soaked, but never once thought of taking cover or leaving early.

Just a great performance by two legends in the music biz. Got to hear 'Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys' for the first time live, and the 5 minute instrumental intro into 'Black Magic Woman' was just phenomenal!

All in all a great night of live music despite the rain!

[Phil]

Well, I was completely satisfied by both Steve and Carlos. Shared the experience with my 22 year old son, and wife. It was wet!!! Yeah, but just a minor thing really compared to what was given to us in entertainment, besides, that's the chance we take buying Starlight tickets. We were too involved and caught up in the music to even think about running for cover, and leaving - uh,uhh, wasn't even an option. I wouldn't trade that venue for this concert at all. Every seat in the house had a great view, and the sound mixing was excellent.

If there were wrong notes, I really couldn't tell, but isn't that really just a by-product of improvistation?

Thanks to both artists for giving us a great memory!!!

[pellboy]

If there were wrong notes, I really couldn't tell, but isn't that really just a by-product of improvistation?

Posted by: Phil

Well, as for any wrong notes, at least we know that Mike Judge would have approved.

[wonder]

pellboy
I would not even bring it up if Jeff Beck himself had not discussed his lack of money in interviews.

If you look it up you will see that Jeff has songs which could draw in older fans to hear his new stuff. That is how show business works.

SHOW + BUSINESS

[pellboy]

Oh, I get where you're coming from, wonder...Beck maybe the classic case of putting art above commerce. While there is definitely a case to be made that more BbyB, Wired and even Jeff Beck Group-era stuff would help appease and attract his older fans, I think part of his problem is that his music has so often been a product of the current times as opposed to a more defining, signature-type sound, that it sometimes doesn't date as well as the catalog of some other artists that have a more base rock & roll sound that transcends certain eras and hereby allowing them to continually expand on their fanbase. Unfortunately for Mr.Beck, you'll never see the oldsters bringing along their offspring to a JB show the way fans are want to do at say Winwood/Santana, Macca, AC/DC, KISS, etc.

[Fran]

It was an uplifting night for me.
Missed notes didn't bother me or my dancing . I hate a lip sink version . Like the lyrics "make it real or just forget about it".
If you want to hear all his old hits then go see him in vegas. Its called "Tour of the Hits".
JB said he could have done without the preaching...Man you have not a clue what Carlos is all about ...to bad for you bro.
"LIGHT & LOVE" PEACE OUT !

[Keep the fire]

Fran, It was an uplifting night for me as well. As a Carlos fan for almost 40 years, it again was a pleasure to see a master at work. We all know and that Carlos is spiritual; we expect to hear him talk about love, harmony, faith, and co-existence. That's what makes him so inspirational, but please, to bring politics into a sermon without mentioning our armed forces, on the 4th of July? Did I miss something? Save it for a D.C. rally...Light and Love to you also

[Chubby]

Picked up a cheap ticket outside from someone who's buddy couldn't make it. I'd checked the hour by hour weather forecast in advance and knew what to expect. I stood at the side for Winwood's set, then, as the rain came down, I waited for the droves of people to fill the sheltered areas at the side, then donned my rain suit and took one of the vacated seats near the front.
Carlos told us something along the lines of "Every rain drop is a rainbow from God", yeah, well every rain drop was a pain in the ass to me, but I guess without the rain I wouldn't have got anywhere near the front as packed as the place was. All told a good show from a couple of rock's elder statesmen, $25 well spent.

[Fran]

Keep the Fire , I think maybe you did miss something . He said Obama needed to keep his promise to end the war & bring home our troops.Or "he is just like Bush,but with a tan"
I agree with him .Or did I misunderstand your post ?

[bobinop]

Was at the show with my wife, right up front. A great time even with the rain. Couple of comments...sounded as if Carlos forgot what key they were playing in a couple of times, but like the man said, that's part of playing loose and improvising. Wasn't that crazy about some of the newer stuff, and would have loved to have heard old staples like Europa/Dance Sister Dance/Incident at Neshabur/etc., but understand what Carlos is shooting for in engaging younger audiences. An oldies show would not have drawn the crowd that was there Sunday. For my money the musical highlight of the night was was pretty early on with Winwood's "Dirty City," but there was a lot to enjoy from both artists. A good time was had by all... And kudos to the good folks at Starlight and to the KCPD for the excellent job with the fireworks and with managing traffic on the way out.

[Philip Hardman]

I liked this show. I liked it a lot. Even with the water spectacular that left me soaked to the bone, seeing two board certified rock and roll hall of famers from third row center is a night I'll remember for a very long time.

[Josh]

I saw Carlos the next day in Cinncinati and I was pretty impressed. No rain but it was almost 100 degrees at the beginning. The only thing more I would ask of Carlos would be to play Samba Pa Ti. I don't know how he skipped it. Oh well. Great show anyway. (btw: the speech at this show was not anti-tv, but anti-war. And pro-weed. The crowd was mostly receptive to both.)

[?]

Does anybody know what the Hendrix tunes they played for house music before Santana's set were? They sounded like funky jazz remix versions.