Santana - the Movie!!!!

[matonanjin]

Yep!  The movie about my Guitar God - Carlos Santana!

Tickets on sale in a few days (Aug 24).  In selct theatres September 23 and all theatres September 29.

https://www.carlosfilm.com

[DianeB]

Tickets are now on sale for the screenings with special introductory material on September 23, 24, and 27.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDL9Xz12Avohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDL9Xz12Avo

[matonanjin]

Thanks, @DianeB!!!

Here is the full trailer:

 

[Steve Krenz]

I saw Santana in San Antonio about 20+ years ago.  It was a great concert.

It was fascinating to me that he didn't change his sound at all.  He had one sound and used it on every song.  It was just his sound.  In an age of everyone chasing everyone else's tones and pedalboards, it was wonderful to see an artist as just who they are.

- Steve 

[matonanjin]

20 hours ago, Steve Krenz said:

I saw Santana in San Antonio about 20+ years ago.  It was a great concert.

It was fascinating to me that he didn't change his sound at all.  He had one sound and used it on every song.  It was just his sound.  In an age of everyone chasing everyone else's tones and pedalboards, it was wonderful to see an artist as just who they are.

- Steve 

Thanks for adding to the thread, Steve.  Santana does have his sound.  I don't know of anyone whose sound is more recognizable than Santana.  

Years ago, decades ago, a local rock radio station here used to have  a  two hour jazz show on Sunday mornings called "Jazz Brunch".  It got to be a tradition of my wife and I to sit and have coffee and listen to it.

A song came on and we were listening to it and I said to my wife, "That is Carlos Santana on guitar.  It doesn't make sense, I know. Carlos on a jazz song but that is him on guitar".   The song finished and the DJ came on to name the songs and sure enough!  He said it was Alice Coltrane with Carlos Santana on guitar!  I don't remember now what song it was but it was from their album "Illuminations".  It was when Carlos started doing his solo stuff when the band started having some personality clashes.

[DianeB]

We now have a film worthy of the man’s story: travel with Carlos from his days as a boy in Tijuana, through his growth in San Francisco, to his emergence as a musical force of his generation. This is his story, told almost entirely in his own words, his way.

This “special” screening began with ten minutes of introductory remarks from its subject and director Rudy Valdez in which both make it clear they were not interested in making a stock music biopic. In that respect, they succeeded. “Carlos” the film is as unique and intriguing as its protagonist.

Through home movies and pictures, we glean the family dynamics that shaped his life from childhood to the present day. We hear from two of his sisters, a few words from his current wife Cindy, and brief early clips from Bill Graham, owner of the Fillmore. But we hear nothing from his many contemporaries or collaborators. His bandmates — and there were many — are not even named. This is very much a self-portrait, a cinematic solo.

That said, it seems to be a fair and honest rendition, and there’s no questioning its sincerity. It is left up to others to place his contributions in a broader context. There is a healthy balance of concert clips with other historical sequences, interspersed throughout with present day narration, often with Carlos speaking directly to the audience. This is not a concert film.

The sound quality is excellent, the editing and pacing make for an engaging experience, and the conclusion is mercifully well timed. Whether you count yourself a member of the Woodstock Generation or not, go and marvel at the story of an artist fulfilling his calling. (Rated R for language.)

[matonanjin]

On 9/18/2023 at 2:54 PM, DianeB said:

We now have a film worthy of the man’s story: travel with Carlos from his days as a boy in Tijuana, through his growth in San Francisco, to his emergence as a musical force of his generation. This is his story, told almost entirely in his own words, his way.

 

Diane, is this a review you are quoting?  Or is this your review?

[DianeB]

@matonanjin That's all mine.

[matonanjin]

Wow!, @DianeB.  What a great review.  Being the Santana fan that I am, I, of course, wanted to see the movie.  So much so, I considered talking to my wife about driving the over 2 hours to Des Moines, IA, (the closest place showing it) to see it.  But I know the response that would have received.

But now after reading, and digesting, your review I am mustering the resolve again to approach her.

I don't know what else to say about your assessment of "Carlos" other than "brilliantly written".  Thank you for sharing this with us.

[DianeB]

@matonanjin Oh, dear, Ron, I was sure you were the first in line. It might cost you a lot of HoneyDo points, but you need to see this movie! Thanks for the kind words.