Review by: Kelly Besaw
Photos by: Chris Besaw
Santana’s Oneness 2024 tour makes a stop in Syracuse.
Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana and his exceptionally talented band made a stop in Syracuse, NY at the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview on Wednesday July 24. The band is currently out on the road for their “Oneness 2024” tour and brought along with them rock super stars, Counting Crows.
I have seen the Counting Crows a few times prior and have to be honest, they have been hit or miss. Thankfully, this time, they were a hit. The band took the stage at approximately 7:30 and started jamming out for a few minutes before lead singer, Adam Duritz joined them onstage. Counting Crows took the crowd through a thirteen song setlist loaded with hits and deep tracks old and newer. Duritz got one of their biggest hits out of the way early in the set, getting everyone on their feet to sing along to the beloved “Mr. Jones.” I particularly enjoyed their haunting rendition of “Colorblind” as it is one of my favorite Crows songs. They worked a few covers into the mix including an acoustic version of the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil” and believe it or not “the 1” a Taylor Swift cover. I also enjoyed the outro rendition of “Crimson and Clover” at the end of “St. Robinson in His Cadillac Dream.”
Durwitz paused after the first few songs to talk about Santana. He told fans that when he was a youngster, he “slept on the street in Berkley to be able to get in the front to see Santana. He told the audience that he had the pleasure of opening for them twenty years later and they sounded just as good and now, another twenty years have gone by, and they are still absolutely amazing. I was a music fan before I was a musician, he quipped.” The fans were pleased with the set that finished with “Long December” and “Hanginaround.” It was great to see the Counting Crows in top form. I hope to catch them again when they are at the top of their game. Such an awesome performance.
Setlist
Hard Candy
St. Robinson in His Cadillac Dream
Mr. Jones
Colorblind
Omaha
Catapult
Washington Square (acoustic)
Friend of the Devil (Grateful Dead cover) (acoustic)
Round Here
Rain King
the 1 (Taylor Swift cover)
A Long December
Hanginaround
It’s hard to believe given the number of concerts that I have been to, that this was my first-time seeing Santana considering they have been rocking out since 1966. As the band took the stage and started playing, it was clear that they were ready to put on an incredible show. Carlos Santana ambled out onto the stage donned in his traditional white suit complete with white fedora. I also learned that he created his own line of designer shoes. While I didn’t get a peak at his shoes during the show, I am planning to check out his line. Carlos Santana is simply a guitar virtuoso. He makes even the most complicated guitar riffs look effortless. Santana kicked off the show with “Soul Sacrifice” and the crowd was instantly sucked in by the perfect combination of instruments. The band truly is phenomenal and played a mix of everything from African rhythm-based songs to rock anthems to get on your feet and dance tunes. The annunciated vibrations of the classic rock hit “Black Magic Woman” hit you right in the soul and the cover of Tito Puente’s “Oye Como Va” was flawless.
Carlos Santana is not shy about surrounding himself with talented musicians including his wife and drummer extraordinaire Cindy Blackman Santana. Wow can she drum! My friend recognized her immediately from her days of playing with Lenny Kravitz. Benny Rietveld also plays a mean bass. I was blown away by his bass solos” From keyboardists to percussionists and vocalists, they are all superb musicians.
Highlights for me included “Put Your Lights On” “Maria Maria” and the final song of the evening “Smooth” from the nineties hit album Supernatural. Although, I will always remember those first few chords of “Black Magic Woman.” It was like taking a step back in time while being lost completely in the moment. That’s the true beauty of music, that every now and then it has the power to transport us to another place and another time. Santana still has that magic all these years later. You still have a chance to catch Santana and the Counting Crows on the “Oneness 2024” tour. I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed.
Setlist
Soul Sacrifice
Jin-go-lo-ba (Babatunde Olatunji cover)
Evil Ways (Willie Bobo cover)
Black Magic Woman/ Gypsy Queen
Oye Como Va (Tito Puente cover)
Everybody’s Everything
Bass Solo
Samba pa ti
The Game of Love
She’s Not There (Zombies cover)
Hope You’re Feeling Better
(Da le) Yaleo
Put Your Lights On
Corazon Espinado
Maria Maria
Foo Foo
Encore
Are You Ready (Chambers Brothers cover)
Smooth
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