By Allen Kiger
Sunday, June 23, was a cool night to see a hot band at Ruoff Music Center. We had the great pleasure to see Multi-Grammy award winning Santana. As the band opened by performing “Soul Sacrifice,” Carlos Santana and his beautiful, gold PRS guitar took to the stage shortly after the band started playing. The fans were on their feet in excitement.
Carlos Santana brought his unique style of fusing Rock n’ Roll, Latin jazz, and African rhythms played on percussion instruments such as timbales and conga drums. The great musical beat had fans on their feet most of the night. The light show was equally impressive. Santana transitioned from one song to another playing popular hits “Evil Ways,” “Black Magic Woman,” “Gypsy Queen” and crowd favorite “Oye Como Va.”
Other notable songs during the 11/2 hour concert included the 2002 popular hit, “The Game of Love.” Santana’s version of the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues” was amazing, followed by “Maria, Maria.” Santana finished the set with “Foo Foo.” As the lights grew dim the band exited the stage, the crowd continued cheering and clapping. The band came back on stage and performed, “Are you Ready?” followed by a drum solo. Carlos took time out to apologize to the fans for needing to sit during most of the performance, explaining he was suffering from sciatic pain.
Carlos introduced his incredible and talented band before the final song of the evening; his giant hit, “Smooth,” from the album “Supernatural” which sold over 30 million copies. It was an evening of fantastic music on one of Indiana’s finest summer nights.
The crowd was treated to an artist who has scored at least one Top 10 album in six consecutive decades with over 100 million copies sold worldwide.
As I am writing this review my mind wonders how Carlos chooses a set list for his show with so many hits from the 60’s to the present. I didn’t have the opportunity to go to Woodstock in 1969 and see Santana perform but it is amazing to see Santana perform at such a high level 55 years later. Carlos’s guitar playing has only gotten better over time. Rolling Stone has named him #15 on the magazine’s list of 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Obviously they didn’t ask me as I would have put him in my top 10 list.
I would like to thank Santana for the opportunity to be selected to see such an amazing concert and the opportunity to write a review for the readers. If you would like to know more about Santana, visit Santana. com.
