PHOTOS: LAURA KILGUS JENKINS AND CHRIS JENKINS IN MANSFIELD, NH | The air was filled with the scent of incense burning on stage as images of Woodstock illuminated the space, setting the tone for a tour that commemorates the milestone anniversary of Santana’s infamous performance some five decades ago.
Only a few days following the 50th Anniversary of their performance at the Woodstock festival in August 1969, the band named after Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Carlos Santana and the iconic musician himself brought the house down at the Xfinity Center outside of Boston.
Santana’s show is a true bounty of musical stylings. The set featured Latin and African beats, Latin rock, sounds of Jamaica, bluesy vocals, and guitar solos that no-doubt is a check off the Bucket List for long-time fans. Much like a maestro, Santana gestures to bandmates for smooth and subtle arrangement changes all while showcasing the skill of the artists and enriching the overall performance.
Fans were on their feet as the evening began with a hit-filled set from special guests, The Doobie Brothers. “I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland, pretty momma come and take me by the hand…” The Doobie Brothers sang in an engaging sing-a-long with the audience.
Touring North America with Santana, The Doobie Brothers have not stopped for long, previously performing historic full-album shows at the Beacon Theatre in NYC at the end of 2018. On Tuesday evening, in a jam with friends’ moment, they joined Santana on stage to perform “Some Kind of Wonderful”—for the first time together—which transitioned into the Boston anthem, “Dirty Water,” a sure thing crowd pleaser in New England.
The head crew member for Santana shared with The Vinyl District that in his 16 years of touring with the band he has never heard the same set twice. And tour videographer shared the same sentiment—that each set is varied and special. “Even if I’m having a tough day, whenever he comes on stage his presence lifts me out of it. You’ll feel it too.”
And that message of trying to change lives for the better is a common theme of his Supernatural Now tour, a three-month, 29-date celebration. The tour also commemorates the 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking, multiple Grammy-winning album Supernatural.
Reflecting on the cosmic significance of both anniversaries occurring in the same year, Santana says, “Both were monumental moments in my life. Woodstock and Supernatural took me to places I never dreamed were possible. I embraced those incredible moments in my life with all my heart. Both were supreme lessons in maintaining focus, heart and integrity in every step every day and to strive to better oneself with a high standard on and off the stage. I cannot think of these two moments without thinking about Mr. Bill Graham and Mr. Clive Davis. They are two of many angels in my life that helped shape my career.”
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS
