Carlos

I, first off, have to say I haven't seen this yet, but I will!!! I was so amazingly blessed when you blew my mind that momentous day on September 4th, 1982 afternoon. It wasn't Woodstock (I was too young for that) but US Festival '82 was my Woodstock. I was 24, but naïve to most the bands at that time in my life. Even so, I had been to the California Jam (April 6, 1974) when I was just a junior in high school. Nevertheless, when you came onto the stage and played that guitar, I was mesmerized and you had my complete, undivided attention.

Carlos Santana, you were bar none, the most memorable, heart and soul awakening to music I had ever experienced. To this day, no other band has made such an impact on my soul. I know no other way to reach out to such a legend as you, but to tell you my story of how you impacted my life in just a few hours.

I'm certain that all who have experienced your unique music have been touched, if not changed, by your talent, your skill. You're a gifted man, an icon, with a beautiful, natural ability to touch hearts and lives.

I can't wait to see this new release. Dude, you rock! <3.

Greetings again from the darkness. Although I was too young to attend Woodstock in 1969, I vividly recall the first time I saw the 1970 concert film, as I was stunned by the energetic performances, the dedicated attendees, and the mass of people making the best of rain, drugs, and music. By this time, I was attuned to Hendrix, The Who, Joplin, and most of the others, but the band that shook me was Santana. Familiar with only one song, "Evil Ways", off their debut album, I was mesmerized by the pure force of their live "Soul Sacrifice" performance - the relentless drumming of Michael Shrieve (20 years old) and the blazing guitar work from band leader Carlos Santana (a 22-year-old).

With this documentary, Rudy Valdez (THE SENTENCE, 2018), delivers so much more than the typical musician biography. Sure, we get the basic background information, but thanks to chats with Carlos Santana himself, we learn more about the man and how his being is meshed with the music. Born in Mexico, Carlos' dad played in a mariachi band and taught him to play the violin. The unusual route to rock and roll stardom began when Carlos switched to guitar and the family moved to San Francisco. His blending of Latin Jazz and Blues with rock and roll delivered a sound we had not previously heard. Carlos' began playing regular gigs at the Fillmore West, and things kicked into gear once promoter/producer Bill Graham got involved.

Carlos formed a band and Graham instituted 'festival training' culminating in the live performance at Woodstock. Carlos tells an incredible story about Jerry Garcia (of The Grateful Dead) handing him some drugs, and the next thing Carlos knew, the band was called on stage in the midst of his acid trip. If you've seen the movie, the facial expressions will make complete sense once Carlos recalls what he was seeing with that trusty guitar in his hands. It's one of the best rock stories you'll hear. A week after Woodstock, Santana's debut album was released by Clive Davis at Columbia Records.

The family background is interesting enough, but the real value here is in the self-reflection from Carlos. Apparently, the interview was conducted over a period of time, so we see variations and moods from the man with magic music. Carlos even discusses his time as a disciple of spiritual guru Sri Chinmoy ... including haircut, white suits, and self-discovery. Carlos confesses how once "Smooth", recorded in 1999 with Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, became a monster hit, he finally felt validated.

Not many musicians get to have a professional career that spans more than fifty years ... or have a wife who is a skilled drummer ... or have a 'slithering snake' story with a spot in rock lore. But Carlos Santana, now 76 years old, has all of that, and has recently been battling a public relations nightmare after a statement he made regarding the trans community. As for the documentary, the interviews and archival footage and photos provide a nice look at the man behind the music.

Opening in select theaters on September 23, 2023 and going wide on September 29.

Carlos is such a cool and peace-loving guy and has been ever since he burst in the scene in 1969 at Woodstock For a movie that was filled with music, I wanted more. I would have been satisfied if they just played his music for 2 hours, or just showed one of his concerts. But they presented a lot of intimate parts of his life and some of what makes him the genius we all know.

We love Santana, matter of fact,the last two concerts we went to were to see him. Great!

Growing up in Chicago, IL and being Mexican "Santana" is almost always a guarantee you'll hear him growing up. I've seen him probably close to 10 times and this Documentary gave you a look inside his mindset and his music and achievements and traumas. I never leave reviews here , however a part of this movie really moved me to tears. "and I'm not afraid" guitar solo was moving. If everyone could forgive and just leave the past behind and have more compassion the world, your neighbors, your family the universe would just be better off. This is coming from someone who isn't that spiritual but this movie really made me think about my own life , my soul and how I can be a better human being. All the success in the world and money and he could be so mean and cruel and bitter. Overall the Documentary was great and contained a ton of rare footage!

Feeling of inner peace. I looked at the people leaving the theatre - everyone was smiling. A smile, a ray of light, a feeling of warmth. Peace Carlos Santana has achieved and I was unaware what it must have cost him - it came as a shock. How does one overcome most tragic circumstances and rise? What a soul and what an example, his talent the wave on which he rides. He's not what he does, he says; and yet the music is what got him through, that unique blend between Latin and the Blues, which he had from the get-go. Blues, the Healer. My only complaint is that the film didn't feature his stellar collaboration with John Lee Hooker.