Concert review: Santana returns to Woodstock

There it was, Woodstock.

On the screen behind the drum kit, Carlos Santana and his new band were making their Earth-shattering debut at Woodstock, blasting through “Woodstock Chant/Soul Sacrifice.”

And just below the screen, 41 years later, Santana was firing away on those same chords.

“Good evening, we meet again,” Santana told the packed house duringSaturday’s show at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. “Welcome toground zero for peace and love.”

The blast from the past quickly transformed into the wave of the futurewhen the two singers in Santana’s current band hip-hopped their way intothe No. 1 recent hit “Maria, Maria,” which brought Santana back to themasses and earned him a bucketload of Grammy Awards.

Mixing past hits, current album cuts and cover versions from an upcomingalbum, Santana stormed the stage in a comeback at Woodstock that may godown at Bethel Woods as one of the greatest shows in the venue’s five-yearhistory.

“This is where we believe that peace is possible in a lifetime,” thelegendary guitarist said. “We validate Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and SlyStone. We validate John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ and Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s GoingOn.’ War is not the answer; only love can conquer hate.”

Santana’s band — comprised of the guitarist, another guitarist, a bassplayer, keyboardist, two horns, two singers and three percussionists —attacked his songs in an assault with the group’s legendary Latin andMexican blend on such songs as “Foo Foo” and “Corazón Espinado.” The fanfavorite “Jingo” was just as flavorful with blistering solos by Santana.

Santana also showcased some songs from an upcoming album of covers:“Riders on the Storm,” “Dance the Night Away,” and “Sunshine of YourLove.” All were just as strong and fresh as any Santana material.

In between, he, of course, gave the crowd what they wanted in vintageSantana with “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen,” “Oye Como Va,” and “EvilWays/A Love Supreme,” during which a video montage of Santana from yearsback played on screen.

“Woodstock — we are all in it together,” Santana stated. “That’s whatWoodstock is all about. We want to thank you for your heart. If youremember only one thing, we are made out of light and love only. I havelearned a lot since the last time I was here. Let’s be kind to oneanother. Woodstock — peace and love.”

Santana basically could have played all night.

But he ended things with another recent No. 1 hit “Smooth.”

Woodstock Nation welcomed back this native son with open arms.

Opening act Steve Winwood delivered an hour-long set, combining recentsolo work from 2008’s “Nine Lives” with songs from Traffic, Blind Faithand the Spencer Davis Group.

Winwood wailed on his Hammond B-3 organ, his vocals sharp, and he flailedon guitar, showing that he’s picked up a few pointers from his friend EricClapton.

After starting off with three songs from “Nine Lives,” Winwood told thecrowd “it’s marvelous to be here on such hallowed ground.”

Winwood said that he wasn’t at Woodstock, but was in England penning thenext tune, “Can’t Find My Way Home” for his Blind Faith effort withClapton.

Then he ripped into “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys/Empty Pages” withan extended jam before kicking into his Grammy solo hit “Higher Love”before trading in the organ for some fierce guitar solos for “Dear Mr.Fantasy.”

Winwood then went way back in time for the Spencer Davis Group classic“Gimme Some Lovin.”

That high-energy showstopper set up a perfect lead into Santana’s smokin’set, capturing a night at Bethel Woods where this show really sizzled.