Santana with Special Guests Counting Crows

The Oneness Tour 2024

The Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theatre

Wantagh, NY

July 21, 2024

By Mike Perciaccante

It was a beautiful Sunday evening by the water on the day immediately following Carlos Santana’s 77th birthday. Fans of the legendary guitarist as well as those of Adam Duritz and Counting Crows flocked to the newly renovated Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theatre for a fantastic sold-out show. The Oneness Tour 2024 had kicked off approximately a month prior to this show, so by the time it reached the intimate venue nestled snugly in New York’s Jones Beach State Park, both bands were firing on all cylinders.

Without an introductory announcement, Counting Crows started things promptly at 7:30pm by opening with “Hard Candy.” It was a bit of a surprise because, suddenly, the band was on stage and was driving through its hits-filled fourteen tune set. Because Counting Crows was the support act, the set was a bit shorter than it would have been if they were the headliner. Nonetheless, all the boxes were checked.  “Mr. Jones,” arguably Duritz and company’s biggest hit, checked in as song number 3. The stellar 75-minute set also included hits like “Round Here,” “Long December,” “Omaha,” “Hanginaround” and “Rain King” as well as the covers of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” and Taylor Swift’s “the 1.” The band also included stand-out performances of “If I Could Give All My Love -or- Richard Manuel Is Dead,” “Anna Begins” and “Miami.” Unfortunately, due to the constraints of being an opening act, the band’s wonderful cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil” was noticeably omitted. Sadly, it appears that regardless of time constraints “Accidently In Love” is not being played at all during this tour. Counting Crows went out on a high note with a fantastic version of “Holiday In Spain” from Hard Candy (Geffen, 2002).

As quickly as they appeared, the members of Counting Crows were gone. The stage and crowd then began to get prepared for the main event.

Shortly after 9 pm, Carlos Santana and the members of his band made their way onto the stage. Due to a bout of sciatica, the legendary guitarist walked slowly as he made his way to his designated space on the stage. Though he stood occasionally, Santana sat for much of the show. Regardless of whether he was standing, sitting or leaning against a riser for support, The Grammy Award winner played with the fire and fluidity of a much younger man. The virtuoso guitarist’s finger flew across the fretboard as he delivered a fiery performance filled with hits. When he did stand, usually for a solo, the performance became quite intense, and the crowd responded accordingly.

The band’s set began with stunning versions of “Soul Sacrifice” and the Olatunji cover “Jin-go-lo-ba.” Santana’s band, as always, was top-notch. Each member of the band was given the opportunity to shine. The two lead vocalists, Andy Vargas and Ray Greene, were amazing. Vargas also supplied the extra rhythm via the maracas and tambourines that bring the uniqueness to the Santana sound. Rhythm guitarist Tommy Anthony offered many of the background vocals. Bassist Benny Rietveld and the two keyboardists, David K. Matthews and Santana’s son Salvador, were also stand-out performers. The show within the show was supplied by Carlos’ wife, Cindy Blackman Santana, who is a powerhouse on the drums. She played hard and fast with an explosive fire and, when needed, with a wonderful finesse.

The amazing performance featured classics like “Evil Ways,” “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen,” “Oye Cómo Va,” “Corazón Espinado,” “Put Your Lights On” (with a fantastic piano solo) and “Maria Maria” (which had the audience singing along). Also making their appearance were: “Everybody’s Everything,” “The Game Of Love,” “Sacalo” and “Hope You’re Feeling Better.” One of the evening’s many highlights (one that surprised many of the audience members) was the medley that featured snippets of the Zombies’ “She's Not There,” Eric Burdon & War’s “Spill the Wine,” the Temptations’ “Papa Was a Rolling Stone and Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.”

Though the crowd was on its feet for virtually the entire performance, the main set closer (“Foo Foo”) and the encores took things to a higher level. “Are You Ready,” a drum solo by Cindy Blackman Santana that would have made “Zigaboo” Modeliste, Moe Tucker, Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, Sheila E., Buddy Rich and/or Hal Blaine proud, and the finale, the mega-hit “Smooth” left the audience members drained, out of breath and in awe. Santana and his band did not disappoint. Neither did the audience (yes, the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to the famed guitarist and yes, he was presented with a birthday cake). It was a marvelous show!