Since fronting his own outfit in San Francisco, Carlos Santana has delivered music that crosses genres, boundaries and cultures. His legendary performance at Woodstock performance, hits like “Black Magic Woman,” and “Evil Ways,” solo experimentations, winning nine Grammys for his 1999 album Supernatural, and induction into the Roll Hall of Fame — Carlos Santana just keeps moving forward. His 2021 release, Blessings And Miracles, proves this to the core.
Although the first song, “Ghost of Future Pull/New Light,” grabs the ear with its vibrato bar and cymbals noodling, it’s not until “Santana Celebration” that the percussion and organ become a substantial bed under Carlos’ expressive wailing. This one certainly sounds like classic Santana from way back when. Steve Winwood’s vocals over the slow tempo and Santana’s guitar on “Whiter Shade Of Pale” is delicious enough for any classic rock lover. While it’s pretty much a spot-on read, both men sound as great as they ever have, producing a sure highlight here.
We get the first brush of acoustic on “She’s Fire.” Although I’m not sold on American rapper G-Eazy’s warble, I do like the modern mix of a snapping drum machine and lead guitar rising above the rap. It’s a decent little tune and speaks is the overall strength of Blessing And Miracles. Beyond loving every single flick, pull off, bend, and tasty sailing slice from Mr. Santana — as most music fans will — this outing keeps the guest stars where they need to be. Some feel Supernatural and its ilk reduced Carlos Santana to presenting his signature lead guitar as if he were a guest on his own records. Here, the man is present and crafting his way through these tunes with his singular presence, as he damn well should be!
Elsewhere, Santana plays off Living Color singer Corey Glover during “Peace Power” and trades licks with Kirk Hammett as they step around Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda on the lyrically cutting “America For Sale.” It’s certainly a blessing and miracle we still have Carlos Santana making records this good. On Blessing And Miracles, he transcends the more commercial sensibilities of his Grammy turn with the sound, production and songwriting that makes him the unique player he’s always been.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
