Santana :: Essays Papers

Santana each the world knows the special magic of Carlos Santana as expressed through his unison and his guitar playing, which is among the most distinctive and recognizable in all music. His is a cantillate of vibrant energy that bathes the human soul and awakens the unconscious liveliness. The spirit of truth, the spirit of Brotherhood. In every performance, Carlos shares with his audience a personal communication that crosses all boundaries and differences, and makes all people, one people, one family. Carlos music embodies a living heritage of music and family. The Brothers album (on Island Records), described as a banquet of melodic treats and surprises, has Carlos sharing the spotlight with two special guitarists - brother, Jorge Santana, and nephew Carlos Hernandez in his recording debut. In SACRED FIRE, a 97 minute video and 13-song CD surrenderd by Polydor in 1993, Carlos captured the excitement and spirit of his live concerts in Mexico and southwest America with a m ix of his biggest hits as well as few previously unrecorded material. In LIVE FOREVER, the debut release on his Guts & Grace label, Carlos paid his respects to some coevals whose spirits continue to provide musical inspiration for us all. The CD includes songs by Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Coltrane. Each of these three projects offers a glimpse, an added dimension, of a soul that has touched millions around the world. Carlos was introduced to traditional music by his father, Jose. An accomplished mariachi violinist and experienced musician, he taught Carlos the basics of music system and gave him an understanding of the value of a note. Although Carlos excitement for music would be sparked by his first experience, he quickly discovered the limits of its traditional form and cherished more. Carlos wanted to play the kind of music that was filling the radio waves and make people dance. Tijuana, 1955. The music was rock n roll. The drastic c hange of moving from the small, ease town of Autlan to the humming, thriving boom town of Tijuana brought a renewed intrust and opportunity for a new life. Both for Carlos and his family. The eight-year old Carlos quickly odd the violin for the guitar, studying and emulating the sounds of B.B. King, T-Bone Walker and John Lee Hooker. Soon he was being asked to join local bands like the T.J.s, where he added a peculiar touch and feel to his own renditions of all the great songs of the 1950s.