Touring behind “Corazon,” the legendary guitarist’s sold-out, season-opening show promises to bring ageless passion to the outdoor amphitheater.
‘The Heart of Now’: Santana plays Meijer Gardens on Sunday.
By John Sinkevics
LocalSpins.com
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For Carlos Santana, “there’s no tomorrow, there’s no yesterday, there’s just now.”
That says almost all that needs to be said about the iconic guitarist’s inspiring live concerts, which resonate with musical immediacy, a celebratory vibe and, of course, a connective spirituality.
Carlos Santana
“In the heart truly, we are all one,” Santana declares in the audio commentary for his new RCA Records/Sony Music Latin album, “Corazon,” likening the recording to the hub of the Champs Elysees in Paris with “all the streets connected to that” circle.
“This is the music that brings out the heart in people and we can go with courage and joy to Israel, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv. We can go to Cairo, and we go to places where there is conflict and strife and violence, and with this music I feel confident we can transform the fear and anger and bring a commonality of universal acceptance, a universal knowing, that we really are one family. ‘Corazon’ is the heart of now and that’s all there is.”
That means fans attending Santana’s sold-out, season-opening concert at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Sunday night can expect to an exuberant communal experience, filled with vibrant Latin beats supplied by multiple percussionists and those distinctive Santana guitar tones which helped put the Grammy-winning, 66-year-old guitarist into the Rock and Hall of Fame back in 1998.
NEW LATIN ALBUM BOASTS COMPELLING, FRESH COLLABORATIONS
While he’s now an AARP hero, Santana once told me that passion and musical exploration keep him young – and separate the men from the boys in the music business. “I see a lot of people who are 17 who are older than I am because they’re boring and predictable,” he insisted, pointing out that legends like blues guitarist John Lee Hooker never “looked bored or predictable. If you’re bored, you’re old. I don’t allow myself to get bored.”
The Meijer Gardens season opener.
That’s certainly the case with his recording projects and the latest Latin-centered “Corazon,” which features compelling, fresh collaborations with Gloria Estefan, Samuel Rosa, Juanes, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Wayne Shorter and Ziggy Marley, among others.
That’s also true of his tours: This summer, Santana is crisscrossing North America on a first-ever co-headlining tour with Rod Stewart. The Grand Rapids show represents one of several detours from that tour for Santana and his uber-talented band.
It’s also a major coup for folks at Meijer Gardens, who worked hard and long to snag the celebrated rock guitarist as the opener for a 12th season of amphitheater concerts, boasting a record 30 shows, including John Legend, Ziggy Marley, The Moody Blues and Sheryl Crow.
MAKING ‘A BIG SPLASH’ TO START THE 2014 SEASON
Utah concert promoter Chris Mautz, who books the annual series, calls it “totally a big splash, no matter where it would land in the series.”
“To have so many high-caliber artists performing this summer truly says a lot about Meijer Gardens and the efforts made to put together this lineup. We’re thrilled to open our season with Santana,” adds public relations manager Andrea Wolschleger, noting Meijer Gardens already has sold out 17 concerts for the season, the most ever prior to the opening show.
Santana (Photo/Maryann Bilham)
“We have a handful of other concerts that are nearing the sell-out range. This year’s strong lineup directly correlates to the popularity and record number of tickets sold.”
Perhaps none more popular than Santana, who sold out his Meijer Gardens concert the first day that tickets became available for members, despite the record-setting $150 price tag per ticket.
That’s not surprising, because it’s been several years since he’s performed in Grand Rapids and he’s continued to impress critics and fans: He’s won 10 Grammy Awards, three Latin Grammy Awards, the Billboard Century Award and ranks No. 20 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest guitarists ever.
And his 1999 “Supernatural” album, which spawned the smash global hit, “Smooth,” co-written with Rob Thomas, ranks as the best-selling album of all time by a Latin artist.
SOME AMPHITHEATER RULES
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for Sunday’s concert, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Regular seating is general admission lawn seating. Picnic baskets, food and non-alcoholic beverages may be brought into the amphitheater; alcoholic beverages and glass containers may not, but beer and wine are sold at concessions.
Blankets or low-slung beach chairs may be used (32-inch maximum height to top of the chair in its highest position). For a complete list of rules and FAQs, visit meijergardens.org. And return to Local Spins on Monday for full coverage of Sunday night’s show.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2014, Spins on Music
