You’ve Got to Change Your Evil Ways – Santana
In San Francisco during the Summer of Love in 1967, a little known Latin-influenced rock band that incorporated congas and timbales into their sound had just signed a contract with CBS Records. Led by a quick-fingered guitarist named Carlos Santana, the band had just completed completed recording their first record album, simply entitled Santana.
But before it was released, Phil Gram, the legendary San Francisco music promoter and owner of the famous Fillmore West Auditorium, convinced the promoters of an upcoming summer music festival, that Santana should be on the bill.
Santana played a seven song set, including an eleven-minute instrumental of their tune “Soul Sacrifice”. Their exposure at the festival would catapult Santana to stardom.
The music festival was the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival.
Since then, Santana has recorded a long list of hits, that still today as popular, including “Evil Ways”, and covers of both Fleetwood Mac’s “Black Magic Woman” and Tito Puente’s “Oye Como Va”.
Santana with Rob Thomas - Smooth
Santana’s - Oye Como Va
And just what do the words to Oye Como Va mean?
Oye como va (Hey, how’s it going?). Mi ritmo, (My rhythm), bueno pa’ gozar (is good for partying), mulata (girl).” You got that right!!
The band Santana has recorded 19 albums, , (6 going Platinum and 7 hitting Gold status), plus 17 compilations. And Carlos has soloed on another 13 records. His total record sales top 30 million albums over his career.
Besides recording and touring for nearly 40 years, Carlos Santana wrote the film score to La Bamba, the story of 1950s rock and roll legend Richie Valens. He has also played with a wide range of artists, from jazz pianist McCoy Tyner to legendary bluesman John Lee Hooker.
This is your change to see one of the true rock and roll legends, Carlos Santana and his band, when they perform live, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in suburban Maryland. So grab a blanket and relax to the sound of Santana at one of the first outdoor concerts of the season.
And don’t miss the truly unique blues rock sound of The Allman Brother’s slide guitarist, Derek Trucks. Some call him the next Ry Cooder or Duane Allman.
Santana with The Derek Trucks Band
Merriweather Post Pavilion
10475 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044 (map it)
Dates and Times – Sunday, April 6, 2008, gates open at 5:30 p.m., show starts at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets – $35.50 (lawn), $55.50, $75.50 and are available online at Ticketmaster.
Images – Flickr – Santana
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5 Comments
The summer of love was 1967
Derek Trucks is what would make that show worth it. My husband’s aunt used to babysit him during Allman Brothers shows back in the day. ha!
I stand corrected. And I wrote about it in August on The DC Traveler. Must be my failing memory….
Derek, for those not familiar with Butch is the nephew of Butch Trucks, one of the Allman Bros. original drummers, along with Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson.
IT should be a good shopw. Hopefully, the crowd will get to hear a duet by Derek and Carlos.
Santana was, is, and will always be one of the best. His music is timeless. I am glad to see is still performing. And with the Derek Truck Band… what can be smoother!