"A TRIBUTE TO SANTANA" - THE DOGHOUSE, DUNDEE 04-06-05 - Supernatural
I'v always thought that there is nothing wrong with the idea of a tribute band - if it's done well, then why not!! Even on CD some tributes work as well as and on a different level to the real thing - Pink Floyd, Steve Ray Vaughan and Aerosmith come to mind. I've encountered loads of them - but I never knew that there was a Santana tribute band.
I never thought to look, to be honest - the very idea would seem to be a non-starter - I mean, how COULD you recreate the classic seventies Santana band! So, when Sarah booked Supernatural for the Doghouse, this I had to see, albeit with trepidation.
Needn't have worried - they are sensational!!
On stage there's a five-piece band - complete with timbales, congas, percussion player, and the quartet of drums, keys, guitar and bass. Within about half a minute of the opening number, you heart stops - nt because of the guitar - that comes soon enough - but because of the organ - that trademark organ sound that the early seventies Santana band had - and it's here - right in front of you. The band develop a latin groove right from the start and you are immediately caught up in what is to all intents and purposes, Santana by any other name. Then, after a while to get the sound balance right, the electric guitar finally solos - shut your eyes and it IS Carlos Santana - just stunning!! From there on in, you're hooked.
I know me and Sheila were - Sheila dances like a dream and she was up from about the fourth number - while I did my best to remotely try to be as fluid in movement as she was - and failing badly!! But you have to dance to the latin rhythms - there's no escape - and this band delivered with a vengeance and a clear passion.
We got the heavenly strains of "Europa", the power and dynamics of "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen" and I never thought I'd see the day when a band that isn't Santana, could move seamlessly into the second part of that song and make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck as the intensity climbed, but they did it effortlessly - and it was magical. The set ended with a medley of "Soul Sacrifice" (that was out of this world - even the drum and percussion segments had you riveted) and "Jingo" and the effect was amazing - just amazing. They encored with "She's Not There" and it was electrifying - as had the whole set been.
The band played a blinder - not a note wrong - and it was incredible. Just take my advice - if ever you see this band advertised as a venue near you, don't miss out whatever you do - you will regret it bitterly when your mates turn round and tell you all about it and you "weren't there".