Carlos has branched out again -- this time into the culinary arena. Recently, he launched a "themed" restaurant, called Maria Maria -- named after the song from his Supernatural album, of course.
However, if you're expecting rock star memorabilia, ala Hard Rock Cafe, you'll be suprised. The restaurant chain (there are four, so far), is not dominated by Santana, his music, and his equipment; rather, it carries the influence of his aura.
A collaboration between Carlos, accomplished chef Roberto Santibanez, and restaurant producers Dudum Sports and Entertainment, Maria Maria is an upscale restaurant with a blend of traditional mexican cooking and innovative touches. The decor is luxurious and comfortable at the same time. And the artwork (by some renowned latin artists) is provocative.
If you have a chance to eat at Maria Maria, give it a shot. Santana aficionado or no, it's worth the trip!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Carlos by Carlos
Carlos Santana has a line of women's shoes. Huh?
That's the reaction that I had. That's the reaction that most people have, when I tell them that Carlos Santana has a line of not just shoes, but women's shoes. Not just women's shoes, but hot, sexy women's shoes.
But when you really look at the Carlos by Carlos shoes line, and think about the reasons behind it, you start to see the logic.
Point 1: Deborah Santana (Carlos' ex-wife) was probably integral in the concept, initiation, and design of the shoes line. She does wear sexy shoes, so it makes sense.
Point 2: Carlos' and Deborah Santana's charity -- the Milagro Foundation -- benefits from the sale of every Carlos by Carlos shoe. So it's another way to help children around the world. (If there's anyone more deserving than disadvantaged children, I've yet to hear it. Yea for the Santanas!).
Point 3: Carlos Santana is building himself as a brand. Paul Reed Smith Santana Signature guitars. The Mesa Boogie Amps. The Maria Maria restaurants (I'll be covering those in a future issue of this blog, and on the Web site.) He plans to introduce a line of handbags.
He's building an empire. He may not think of it as that -- but someone is thinking of it that way. And you can't blame Carlos. After all, he's put out dozens of albums, and played thousands of live shows. Why not take advantage of his fame -- especially if he's willing to give back to the community, as he obviously is.
So, it makes sense that he introduced the Carlos by Carlos shoes line. And, to help [male] fans of Carlos Santana, I -- with the aid of a talented stylist -- have crafted the "Guy's Guide to Buying Carlos by Carlos Shoes." This article may actually help men entire uncharted territory, and purchase a pair of shoes for their better halves.
Now that's progress!
That's the reaction that I had. That's the reaction that most people have, when I tell them that Carlos Santana has a line of not just shoes, but women's shoes. Not just women's shoes, but hot, sexy women's shoes.
But when you really look at the Carlos by Carlos shoes line, and think about the reasons behind it, you start to see the logic.
Point 1: Deborah Santana (Carlos' ex-wife) was probably integral in the concept, initiation, and design of the shoes line. She does wear sexy shoes, so it makes sense.
Point 2: Carlos' and Deborah Santana's charity -- the Milagro Foundation -- benefits from the sale of every Carlos by Carlos shoe. So it's another way to help children around the world. (If there's anyone more deserving than disadvantaged children, I've yet to hear it. Yea for the Santanas!).
Point 3: Carlos Santana is building himself as a brand. Paul Reed Smith Santana Signature guitars. The Mesa Boogie Amps. The Maria Maria restaurants (I'll be covering those in a future issue of this blog, and on the Web site.) He plans to introduce a line of handbags.
He's building an empire. He may not think of it as that -- but someone is thinking of it that way. And you can't blame Carlos. After all, he's put out dozens of albums, and played thousands of live shows. Why not take advantage of his fame -- especially if he's willing to give back to the community, as he obviously is.
So, it makes sense that he introduced the Carlos by Carlos shoes line. And, to help [male] fans of Carlos Santana, I -- with the aid of a talented stylist -- have crafted the "Guy's Guide to Buying Carlos by Carlos Shoes." This article may actually help men entire uncharted territory, and purchase a pair of shoes for their better halves.
Now that's progress!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Samba Pa Ti: Santana's Classic Instrumental
Before 1999's Supernatural, and Carlos Santana's unprecedented career revival, before the collaborations with hit artists like Chad Kroeger, Rob Thomas and Michelle Branch, before "Santana" became a worldwide brand name, there was just the music.
And while Europa may be Santana's best-known instrumental song, Samba Pa Ti is such a classic example of raw melodic power that it stands on its own as one of Carlos' most beautiful pieces of music.
Check out the history, chord progression, and recording here. Enjoy!
And while Europa may be Santana's best-known instrumental song, Samba Pa Ti is such a classic example of raw melodic power that it stands on its own as one of Carlos' most beautiful pieces of music.
Check out the history, chord progression, and recording here. Enjoy!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Carlos Santana's Gear
Carlos Santana's sound is affected by the gear he uses, including his Mesa Boogie Amp (and others), Mu-Tron Wah Wah Pedal, and of course his recognizable Paul Reed Smith Santana Guitars. His history with Paul Reed Smith, especially, is fascinating: a symbiotic relationship that has enhanced both men, while producing a fine series of guitars, including the:
PRS Santana I Guitar
PRS Santana II Guitar
PRS Santana III Guitar
PRS Santana SE Guitar
PRS Santana SE II Guitar
and the latest in the series, the PRS Santana MD Guitar.
PRS Santana I Guitar
PRS Santana II Guitar
PRS Santana III Guitar
PRS Santana SE Guitar
PRS Santana SE II Guitar
and the latest in the series, the PRS Santana MD Guitar.
Playing Like Carlos Santana
As I mentioned, I play Santana's guitar parts note-for-note in my Santana Tribute Band. I've been told -- by people that have seen numerous other Santana tribute bands -- that I sound more like Carlos than any one else they've seen. To tell you the truth, I don't think it's because I'm fantastically talented. In fact, I think most people could sound a lot more like Carlos than they do. Here's what my "secrets" are.
It's All In The Timing
To me, one of the most distinctive things about Santana's guitar playing is his timing. Or, in other words, his phrasing. After all, he's mostly using the same pentatonic scales that hundreds of thousands of other guitar players use, but in his hands, they have a unique sound.
When learning Santana's parts -- especially his guitar solos, the first thing I do is to get them "in my head." That means listening to the songs actively, so that I'm actually paying attention to and absorbing all his phrasing and nuances. Because if you can't "think" it, you can't play it.
I'm convinced that all music, even the most soulful tunes, could be written out in standard notation, if you took the time. That doesn't mean it would be easy, or even that you should do it. It just means that there's nothing mysterious in what people play. It might be rhythmically complex, but it's not mystical.
In Santana's case, not only does he employ phrases that are rhythmically sophisticated, but he also anticipates or delays certain notes more than you would expect. It's part of his charm. For a great example, listen to the 1st and 2nd solos in Black Magic Woman, one of his best-known songs. The notes are as simple as can be, but the way he phrases them are priceless.
Position is Important
Once you have the phrasing in your head, experiment with the fingering until you can get the feel that he gets. Guitar is a strange instrument, in that there are often several different ways to play the same sequence of notes. Try different positions. Hint: Carlos tends to favor the higher strings -- high "E," "B," and "G," over the lower strings. And, especially in his earler material, he is not averse to using open positions.
The Little Things Matter
Pay attention to whether the notes are picked, hammered on or pulled off, and how he slides into, or away from, certain notes. One of the things I find is that the "devil is in the details." If you spend the time to capture all the nuances of Santana's guitar parts, it will make a big difference in the over all sound.
Now, I don't mean that non-musicians -- which will make up the bulk of your audience -- will come up to you after the set, and say something like "how come you played the opening riff to Oye Como Va on the 14th fret of the 'G' string? Carlos played it on the 10th fret of the 'B' string!" They won't be able to identify those details. However, they will know when it sounds like what they've heard on the radio, and when it doesn't.
Read my next post to find out why Distortion Makes a Difference.
It's All In The Timing
To me, one of the most distinctive things about Santana's guitar playing is his timing. Or, in other words, his phrasing. After all, he's mostly using the same pentatonic scales that hundreds of thousands of other guitar players use, but in his hands, they have a unique sound.
When learning Santana's parts -- especially his guitar solos, the first thing I do is to get them "in my head." That means listening to the songs actively, so that I'm actually paying attention to and absorbing all his phrasing and nuances. Because if you can't "think" it, you can't play it.
I'm convinced that all music, even the most soulful tunes, could be written out in standard notation, if you took the time. That doesn't mean it would be easy, or even that you should do it. It just means that there's nothing mysterious in what people play. It might be rhythmically complex, but it's not mystical.
In Santana's case, not only does he employ phrases that are rhythmically sophisticated, but he also anticipates or delays certain notes more than you would expect. It's part of his charm. For a great example, listen to the 1st and 2nd solos in Black Magic Woman, one of his best-known songs. The notes are as simple as can be, but the way he phrases them are priceless.
Position is Important
Once you have the phrasing in your head, experiment with the fingering until you can get the feel that he gets. Guitar is a strange instrument, in that there are often several different ways to play the same sequence of notes. Try different positions. Hint: Carlos tends to favor the higher strings -- high "E," "B," and "G," over the lower strings. And, especially in his earler material, he is not averse to using open positions.
The Little Things Matter
Pay attention to whether the notes are picked, hammered on or pulled off, and how he slides into, or away from, certain notes. One of the things I find is that the "devil is in the details." If you spend the time to capture all the nuances of Santana's guitar parts, it will make a big difference in the over all sound.
Now, I don't mean that non-musicians -- which will make up the bulk of your audience -- will come up to you after the set, and say something like "how come you played the opening riff to Oye Como Va on the 14th fret of the 'G' string? Carlos played it on the 10th fret of the 'B' string!" They won't be able to identify those details. However, they will know when it sounds like what they've heard on the radio, and when it doesn't.
Read my next post to find out why Distortion Makes a Difference.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Sounding Like Carlos Santana
Five years ago, I started a Santana tribute band, with the idea that once I had a Latin rock band (complete with percussion), I would have a ready-made unit to play the original songs that I was writing in that vein. Little did I know that the Santana tribute band would take on a life of its own.
Now, having been through more than 30 keyboard players, timbaleros, congueros, bass players, and singers, I have an idea of what it takes to make a band like this work. (I also do all the booking.) Just learning Carlos Santana's guitar parts -- including his solos -- note-for-note, has been an education in itself. Hopefully, in sharing what I've picked up, I can help others trying to learn Santana's riffs.
Tone: How Important is Santana's Gear?
It's pretty well known -- and in fact I cover it on different pages of this site -- that Carlos Santana plays a PRS Santana Signature model guitar through a Mesa Boogie amp. Earlier, he played a Gibson Les Paul Special, and then a Gibson SG, through a Fender Twin amp. He even played a Yamaha SG guitar for a number of years. The question is: in re-creating Santana's tone, how important is it to use the exact equipment that he uses?
My answer is: it matters, but is not the most important factor.
As an example of what I mean, let me share the story of when I started playing electric guitar, at 38 years of age, after a 10-year hiatus. A bass player, drummer and I put together a 3-song set for a work retreat, including covering the Jeff Beck tune "Freeway Jam." Not having much equipment at the time, I used a Korean-made knock-off of a Gibson 335, as well as a cheap Crate amp. A fellow guitarist (who had a big-time record deal in the '80s) asked me after the show: "How did you nail Beck's tone with that setup?" He knew as well as I did that Jeff Beck had never played through anything even remotely resembling that combination.
After he had asked me that question, I thought about it. The fact was, my specific guitar tone probably wasn't exactly like Beck's. But because I was playing his guitar part note-for-note, it sounded like Jeff Beck's tone. That is how it works when I play Carlos' guitar parts in my Santana tribute band.
In my band, I use one amp: Fender's Hot Rod DeVille 4x10 (four 10" speakers). For the early Santana, I have a Gibson SG '61 Reissue, while for the later material I use the same Korean-made knock-off of a Gibson 335 that was mentioned earlier. Neither combination is what Carlos has ever used, and yet almost without fail, a guitarist comes up to me at every gig and comments on how much I sound like Santana.
Again, the reason is that I play Santana's guitar parts note-for-note. In the next post, I'll explain why I believe I can do that.
Now, having been through more than 30 keyboard players, timbaleros, congueros, bass players, and singers, I have an idea of what it takes to make a band like this work. (I also do all the booking.) Just learning Carlos Santana's guitar parts -- including his solos -- note-for-note, has been an education in itself. Hopefully, in sharing what I've picked up, I can help others trying to learn Santana's riffs.
Tone: How Important is Santana's Gear?
It's pretty well known -- and in fact I cover it on different pages of this site -- that Carlos Santana plays a PRS Santana Signature model guitar through a Mesa Boogie amp. Earlier, he played a Gibson Les Paul Special, and then a Gibson SG, through a Fender Twin amp. He even played a Yamaha SG guitar for a number of years. The question is: in re-creating Santana's tone, how important is it to use the exact equipment that he uses?
My answer is: it matters, but is not the most important factor.
As an example of what I mean, let me share the story of when I started playing electric guitar, at 38 years of age, after a 10-year hiatus. A bass player, drummer and I put together a 3-song set for a work retreat, including covering the Jeff Beck tune "Freeway Jam." Not having much equipment at the time, I used a Korean-made knock-off of a Gibson 335, as well as a cheap Crate amp. A fellow guitarist (who had a big-time record deal in the '80s) asked me after the show: "How did you nail Beck's tone with that setup?" He knew as well as I did that Jeff Beck had never played through anything even remotely resembling that combination.
After he had asked me that question, I thought about it. The fact was, my specific guitar tone probably wasn't exactly like Beck's. But because I was playing his guitar part note-for-note, it sounded like Jeff Beck's tone. That is how it works when I play Carlos' guitar parts in my Santana tribute band.
In my band, I use one amp: Fender's Hot Rod DeVille 4x10 (four 10" speakers). For the early Santana, I have a Gibson SG '61 Reissue, while for the later material I use the same Korean-made knock-off of a Gibson 335 that was mentioned earlier. Neither combination is what Carlos has ever used, and yet almost without fail, a guitarist comes up to me at every gig and comments on how much I sound like Santana.
Again, the reason is that I play Santana's guitar parts note-for-note. In the next post, I'll explain why I believe I can do that.
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