Carlos Santana’s Plays Blues at Montreux 2004 culls some great footage of the Latin guitar God playing with blue legends Buddy Guy, Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown and Bobby Parker. We all know Santana from his hits — some very commercial of late — his soft-spoken philosophizing on the blessings of music, and even some commercials. But on this DVD, we really see the stuff this guy is made of and why he is one of our preeminent guitar players.
Before I get to the music, let me just remark on the visual. It has been an oft-aired bone of contention of mine (can you ‘air’ a bone of contention…well, you know what I mean) that directors and editors of music videos never stay with the performers on stage when they should have. Great instrumental breaks are lost, solos never seen because some numb-nut thought we needed to see an audience member enjoying the solo more then seeing the solo! This is not true of this DVD (and it seems all the Montreux DVDs have a bunch of smart directors), which stays on the appropriate player at all times, sometimes really, really close.
This is a great showcase for Carlos Santana simply because it isn’t a showcase for Carlos Santana. Here we have the guitarist playing with blues guitar legends. As Santana himself says in the DVD’s booklet: “I feel a deep humility and profound joy to be in the presence of the three stellar musicians on this DVD.” The man’s humility certainly shows.
On the first four songs, which Santana plays with Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, it really is the elder bluesman who shines. Sure Santana steps in to take a lead here and there, but other than on “The Drifter,” I think he knows he’s outmatched by Brown (also plays some mean fiddle) and he is reveling in it. Santana stays to the side, behind Brown, as if just a member of the band — a band including Nile Rodgers and stellar sax man Eric Demmer. I especially enjoy the infamous “I’ve Got My Mojo Working” and the funky fun of “Grape Jelly.”
The second set pairs Santana with Bobby Parker. The two men basically share center stage, with Parker leading the way. Santana measures up on “Chill Out,” but Parker really begins to fly “Mellow Down Easy.” Like Brown, Parker sings as well as plays.
For the last four numbers (which is really one song with four parts, two of them a jam) Buddy Guy invites Santana on stage. Guy really is a treasure (watch him blow away Keith Richards in the Stones’ concert film Shine A Light). He has never played nor sang better than on “Stormy Monday.” Then the set takes off in the jam (complete with some guest vocals from Barbara Morrison). There’s even a touch of personal showmanship as Guy walks around the auditorium to meet everyone back on the stage.
I recommend this DVD to any blues guitar fan. If you’re a Carlos Santana fan, be forewarned because you’re gonna see a Carlos Santana you’re not familiar with. And that’s probably the best thing about this Plays Blues at Montreux 2004.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
