A shoulder-to-shoulder crowd of hippies and Rob Thomas buffs was treated to a sprinkling of the Woodstock experience Saturday night at Tampa’s old Gary amphitheatre. Muddy feet shuffled through the dampened grassland known as the Fairgrounds’ parking lot, thanks to a thunderstorm that flooded parts of Hillsborough Avenue and nearly shut down a long postponed tour closer from Santana and Earth, Wind, and Fire at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre.
EWF—still containing early members Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson—hit the stage at 8 p.m. sharp, an hour late due to the Amp issuing a severe weather alert, and temporarily closing its gates. The 11-piece band was all dressed in either sequins or leather, colored red and black, and launched straight into an extended rendition of “Shining Star.”
After Bailey briefly bragged about EWF’s top 10 singles, he lead the group into an instrumental segment that turned into “Sing A Song,” on which the band danced in unison comparable to the Jackson 5. Then came “Got To Get You Into My Life,” EWF’s contribution to the controversial 1978 jukebox cult classic film “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Bold move on their part, indeed.
The late Maurice White, who passed in 2016, was saluted with his own “That’s the Way of the World,” and once everyone cheered up, the glittery, Motown fever dream continued. “Let’s Groove” and “September” were played back-to-back, the latter of which probably appealed to the kids that were dragged there, thanks to meme culture.
About half an hour later, Carlos Santana, clad in a white fedora, Bob Marley T-shirt, teal track pants, and orange slippers, entered the stage at the same time as his 10-piece ensemble without much fanfare. The 75-year-old guitar legend then headed centerstage, made half of the sign of the Christian cross, and kicked off his twice-postponed Tampa gig with “Soul Sacrifice,” a seven-and-a-half minute jam session.
He got his biggest hits from his psychedelic heyday out of the way early. “Evil Ways,” “Black Magic Woman,” “Gypsy Queen,” and “Oye como va” were all performed in what felt like a giant medley, with shared lead vocals from Ray Greene and Andy Vargas, as well as exemplary keyboard work from David K. Matthews all throughout. Matthews was no Gregg Rolie, but Santana ended up looking straight at him for at least half of the entire medley.
That was one off-putting element of the two-hour set: Most of the time he was shredding, Carlos was turned away from the audience, and looking at his bandmates. Rhythm guitarist Tommy Anthony took on a solo during “Everybody’s Everything” as his boss gazed in support and amazement. Not to mention that behind the general centerstage position was Santana’s wife Cindy Blackman Santana on drums, who would bang out a masterful, three-minute solo at the end of “Are You Ready,” which started the encore.
Carlos didn’t completely omit himself from his audience, though. He encouraged the use of phone flashlights during “Put Your Lights On,” and during “(Da le) Yaleo,” select members of Earth, Wind and Fire—specifically percussionists Johnson, John Paris, and B. David Whitworth—quietly joined in the fun from stage right. “It’s a glorious family,” Santana smiled.
Earlier, he sat down and made faces while ripping out a segment of “Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)” before standing and turning back around. But during “Joy,” he finally took to the mic and gave a sermon that covered everything from thanking his fans for braving the rain, to how he sees mental slavery as being gaslit into thinking that you’re a no-good sinner. “We say to that…’I don’t think so.’” Santana firmly declared.
He even shared his choices for his funeral music. “When I die, don’t sing ‘Amazing Grace,’ because there are no wretched sinners in here. None of that. You can sing ‘La Cucaracha’ or ‘Who Let The Dogs Out,’ or something like that, but not ‘Amazing Grace,’” he demanded. “That song was written by a guy who was putting Black people into boats to come here. So, he was the one who was wretched, not us, OK?”
Consider it done, Carlos. But please don’t go anywhere.
See Isaiah Stephens’ photos below.
Setlist
Soul Sacrifice
Jin-go-lo-ba
Evil Ways
Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen
Oye como va
Everybody’s Everything
Toussaint L’Ouverture
Europa (Earth’s Cry, Heaven’s Smile)
She’s Not There / Lava
Joy
Open Imitation
Put Your Lights On
(Da le) Yaleo
Corazón espinado
Maria Maria
Foo Foo
—
Are You Ready
Hang ‘Em High
Smooth
Roadhouse Blues / Love, Peace, and Happiness
