A LAYMAN'S TRIBUTE TO SANTANA

 

 

Carlos Santana is more than just a musician. He is part of the spiritual core of music itself. His music reaches deep into my soul, and awakens every unconscious cell in my body. There is something infinitely special about Carlos Santana's music.  In his nearly 40 year career he has managed to unite the world through his music.

He won 9 Grammy awards for the phenomenal album “SUPERNATUAL” on February 23, 2000, smashing the once unbreakable record held by Michael Jackson for his 8 Grammy wins for 1983's Thriller !!!  Although many have tried to copy the Santana sound, no one can reproduce his signature guitar tone, which is among the most distinctive and recognizable in all music. Some have claimed that no rock/blues artist was more deserving in this day and time to be a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame than Carlos Santana.

When he plays, he bares his heart and soul through every note.  I believe it is because he has a profound love for life, truth, and brotherhood.  He serves his community as a true humanitarian. He and his wife, Deborah founded the Milagro Foundation which provides financial assistance for educational, medical and housing needs of children all over the world. 

There is a nice story that I heard:  In the late 60s, he had been frustrated by the music business after having been involved in the San Francisco/>/> music scene for a few years. He was broke and went to Tijuana/> Mexico/>/>, where he spent his childhood. Soon after, it was reported that The Grateful Dead's own Jerry Garcia traveled down to Mexico/> to bring Santana back to San Francisco/>/>. Rumor had it that Jerry offered food and shelter to Carlos, and got Bill Graham to take Carlos's music seriously. The night Santana played at the Garden/> State/> Arts/> Center/> in New Jersey, />/>the stage was filled with more passion than usual right from the beginning. Halfway through the show, Santana started talking about his friend Jerry Garcia while tears streamed down his face. He said if not for Jerry he would not be on the stage that day. On the very same day, Jerry Garcia died. 

I remember when Santana played live with Melkie Jean and Governor Washington in “Since Supernatural,” Melkie Jeans called out, “make that guitar cry Santana,” and the guitar WEEPED, on cue.  The crowd was moved into tears. 

A song by P.O.P called “America/>/>,” [attached below], would have been nowhere near spectacular but for Santana’s guitar line.  The chorus was uninteresting and crude in my opinion.  Worth noting was that, despite the fact that it is heavy enough to drown out the background music, Santana’s SEARING guitar tune held its own against the strong vocal.  One cannot help but see the imagery of a tiny weed surfacing through a great big rock, or that of a small surfboard riding an insurmountable wave, proudly subduing it.  The listener, riding along with it, feels uplifted.