Carlos Santana in Malta for July concert
Carlos Santana performing with his band in Budapest, Hungary in 2008. Photo: Ferenc Szelepcsenyi
Guitar legend Carlos Santana is set to perform in Malta on July 24 at the Granaries, in Floriana as part of a European tour promoting his latest album, Guitar Heaven.
The new album features covers of guitar classics such as Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love, Deep Purple’s Smoke On The Water and Jimmy Hendrix’s Little Wing.
Santana burst onto the music scene in 1969 with a memorable set at the Woodstock Festival before releasing a studio album. He achieved commercial success in the following years with his studio releases, with hits such as Oye Como Va and Black Magic Woman.
The guitarist, while always active, had seen a lull in popularity and in the 1990s he was eventually dropped by his record label. He experienced an explosion of popularity in 1999 with his album Supernatural, which saw the moustachioed Mexican rub shoulders with younger artists on MTV. Singles Smooth ( featuring Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20) and Maria Maria ( featuring The Product G& B) spent weeks in the number one spot on the charts and the album went on to sell a record 27 million copies worldwide.
Santana continued the formula of working with different artistes in subsequent albums and to date his collaborations have included Michelle Branch ( Game of Love) and numetal band P. O. D. ( America). This formula continues and, in Guitar Heaven, Santana not only collaborates with artistes as diverse as Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell and cellist Yo-Yo Ma but covers a dozen songs renowned for their memorable guitar work.
The concert is organised by NNG Promotions.
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48 Comments
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Nicholas Zarb
Mar 27th 2011, 17:01
Looking forward to this one. Saw him in concert twice in mid-eighties. I Listened to Abraxas over and over again as a young child...brilliant.
L. Calleja
Mar 27th 2011, 10:50
This concert is great for persons who are over mid forties. Young ones will prefer other musicians as this is not their kind of music.
Matthew Bonanno
Mar 27th 2011, 17:51
Bit of a generalisation, that. I know plenty of people my age who love Santana, and I'm only halfway to forty five.
Katya gatt
Mar 31st 2011, 22:18
Not quite...i'm 18 and some i will definately be there
m cefai
Mar 26th 2011, 09:34
Been to his concert in manchester at the start of this tour. Good performance, but i particularly loved his 3 percussions at the back. That said santana is always santata... those bending solos etc are great, feast for the eyes.
That said not the best concert i've been, and not a lot of interaction with the crowd, but there you are.
Its a good concert nonetheless. Hope the Maltese make it a better atmosphere than the british
Joseph Micallef
Mar 25th 2011, 19:10
How about the likes of AL DI MEOLA for Malta, who is a 100 times better than Carlos Santana?!! Even though I am a Santana Fan myself and would like to be at the concert (if the tickets are not going be at 100Euros as rumours have it), I would not edify him so much as calling him the King of Guitar etc. He might be the most know of the genre I agree. And he is good mind you. But not the very best.
J Zammit
Mar 25th 2011, 20:21
Very true. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgaRjKe2Hkg&feature=related
Chris Grillo
Mar 26th 2011, 12:38
Al di Meola will do me just fine mate!!!! My favourite was Casino....as a 13 year old I was mesmerised by the guy.... just brilliant...
At those prices I will go to England to see Santana...
Norman Tonna
Mar 25th 2011, 14:42
Now, now everyone, you all seem to jump at my throat! I was not running Carlos down personnaly, as with all due respect I am a true fan of his. I was trying to make a point regarding every artiste that comes to Malta by that company is past his sale by date. Have they ever booked a hot act in their prime? No! of couse not!
G A Bonello
Mar 25th 2011, 13:44
Great to see that, although his latest album is full of cover versions, Santana is sticking mostly to his hits on the current tour.
Set-list from this week in Australia:
1. DON QUIXOTE/ OPEN INVITATION
2. BACK IN BLACK (ac/dc)
3. SINGING WINDS CRYING BEASTS / BLACK MAGIC WOMAN / GYPSY QUEEN
4. OYE COMO VA
5. MARIA MARIA
6. FOO FOO
7. **CORAZON ESPINADO/ CINDY & BENNY
8. JINGO
9. INCIDENT AT NESHABUR
10. BATUKA/ NO ONE TO DEPEND ON
11. EVIL WAYS/ A LOVE SUPREME
12. SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE (cream)
13. SMOOTH/ DAME TU AMOR
WOODSTOCK CHANT
14. SOUL SACRIFICE / DENNIS SOLO
15. BRIDEGROOM/ INTO THE NIGHT
16. LOVE, PEACE,& HAPPINESS/ FREEDOM
M.Anastasi
Mar 25th 2011, 11:55
Sur Amadeus Tonna....If you knew anything about proper musicians (obviously you don't) they get better with age unlike these modern crap wannabe artists complete with six pack & pretty face that write their pathetic 3 minute songs sitting on a toilet with a laptop.Real music is forever.
P Turner
Mar 25th 2011, 12:52
Better with age!! Santana has not made a new song of his own for years!
This, and the price of the tickets, is solely a showcase for the yuppies who want to feel like they are part of the greater music scene.
Bands do not get better with age, they have their golden period and then ride of those memories, I mean do you think people go to see Paul Simon for his Surprise album? Paul McCartney for the Firemen! Neil Young for Le Noise! Robert Plant is doing Country! any post 1981 Bill Joel, or Bob Dylan for... anything after 1971
N.Grima
Mar 25th 2011, 12:58
Now now, Elvis wasn't so bad...
S.Micallef
Mar 25th 2011, 14:18
@ P. Turner - I fully agree, we tend to get singers & musicians once they expire.
s colt
Mar 25th 2011, 15:31
Id still rather listen to the 'expired' artists than the modern crap wannabes as M Anastasi rightly called them!
Mvella
Mar 25th 2011, 10:19
One PLEA to NNG --> PLEASE do not put seated ppl in the front of the stage. Too many good concerts have been messed up by a seating plan like that!!! Let the real fans enjoy a concert like they do everywhere else in the world! Dancing in front of the stage, singing along.. I am sure you can get your corporate rates in another way!! ...
M.Gauci
Mar 25th 2011, 11:09
Second that and pleassssssse more organisation.
KJ Tabone
Mar 25th 2011, 13:10
Thirded!
Seats should be at the side and back during such concerts, whilst the front should be reserved for standing/dancing space which will create the right vibe. :)
Looking forward!
Mary Camilleri
Mar 25th 2011, 13:37
Excuse me, but if I want to sit and listen to this musician, and pay highly for the priveledge, why should I be pushed to the back and have my view obscured by fans jumping up and down. I am sure there is a format whereby both seated and standing can be accommodated in this beautiful venue. We don't all have the stamina to stand for hours on end.
Mvella
Mar 25th 2011, 14:29
Because Mary - it is not only bout those that find themselves priviledged enough to be able to pay highly for such tickets; it's also about the artists themselves; this is what TRUE music is about. The more energy the crowd offers, the more energized the artists are and the better the concert is going to be for everyone! Even for you in your highly paid seat.
Santana is just not the type of concert you want to go and sit down in front off. For that you can go to Elton John, Rod Steward and consorts ..
Andrew Cumbo
Mar 27th 2011, 09:48
Sorry Mary, but if you like to pay highly for the privilege to be seated, I suggest to see such a concert in the O2 Arena, you will be close and well seated!! Concert like this are to entertain yourself the best you can.
Anna Cassar
Mar 25th 2011, 10:06
what can be done Norman. If the old timers are still the BEST!!!!
Daniel Gordon
Mar 25th 2011, 10:03
YES YES YES....Grazi Hafna whoever at NNG Promotions managed this coup for Malta.
This is excellent news. All excited now!!!
Mvella
Mar 25th 2011, 10:01
YES! Well Done!!!
@ Norman Tonna; Wake up, smell the coffee and get a life!
Ivan Calamatta
Mar 25th 2011, 09:43
YESSSSSSSSS. Narak hemm Guido.
Norman Tonna
Mar 25th 2011, 09:39
NNG Productions are now well known for bringing all the over 70 year old performers. They must come pretty cheap at that age.
J.Grech
Mar 25th 2011, 10:18
Santana is 64 years old......clearly not over 70 and over.......
Jo Spiteri
Mar 25th 2011, 10:37
Sur Tonna, jaqaw taf iddoqq il-kitarra b'subghajk ta' saqajk?
B.Theuma
Mar 25th 2011, 11:25
Turix kemm ma tifhimx fil-muzika siehbi !
m micallef
Mar 25th 2011, 11:48
Int bis serjeta sur Tonna?? manafx int, imma jien ftit smajt kitarristi ahjar minn Carlos Santana! Dak idolu ghal kull muzicist. Vera hawn min ghandu dwejjaq u irid igerger fuq kollox ta.
P. Harvey
Mar 25th 2011, 12:11
Cheap performers??? Ask them how much they paid Elton John!!! Mr. Tonna you seem you don't have an idea how to appreciate true music I must say!!!
J.Cutajar
Mar 25th 2011, 13:16
Issa daqt ikollok il Eurovision, u oqod ara liema nisa taht l'eta' ghandhom lisbah par (saqajn).
Dylan Lentini
Mar 25th 2011, 15:16
Norman wants Rebecca Black!
Neil Dent
Mar 25th 2011, 09:27
Excellent! What fantastic news for a Friday morning.
A.Tanti
Mar 25th 2011, 09:22
How do we get tickets??
Charmaine Marmara'
Mar 25th 2011, 09:19
at last !!!!!!! one true artist ......
Kevin Caruana
Mar 25th 2011, 09:16
Awesome!!! Malta needs big rock artists like Santana!!! We wanna rock!!!!
Paul Borg
Mar 25th 2011, 09:15
YES !!! finally
Philip Fenech
Mar 25th 2011, 09:12
Thanks to all my friends at NNG..Keep up the good work..Great value added for the music scene and for the Leisure Industry in Malta. You sure have my full support
J Brincat
Mar 25th 2011, 09:09
The great Carlos is most welcome in our midst.
D.Zammit
Mar 25th 2011, 09:07
Good news at last
matt azzopardi
Mar 25th 2011, 09:00
welcome to malta...... king of guitar!!!!
P. Harvey
Mar 25th 2011, 08:50
Please keep such Rock Legends coming to Malta... these are the true artists who made good music and deserve to be called "musicians", and not the cheap, overrated, expensively-marketed Justin Biebersss!!!
Timmy Farrugia
Mar 25th 2011, 09:05
justin who?? :P
ASpiteri
Mar 25th 2011, 09:24
who is justin bieber?!?!
Edwin Mifsud
Mar 25th 2011, 09:42
Why are you guys always picking on Justin Bieber. Just leave HER alone.
joe abela
Mar 25th 2011, 10:46
just enjoy santana and dont try to ridicule other artists i think if you all of you had the opportunity that had justin you would refused them?
S Borg
Mar 27th 2011, 20:49
Justin ... an artist ? !!!! Duuhh !