Number 64 February 3, 2011

Cindy Blackman Santana led the Tribute To Tony Williams Lifetime at Yoshi's in Oakland last night.  John Medeski and Vernon Reid were competent, if not inspired.  But Jack Bruce, who played in the Lifetime, was a revelation.  Every note was perfect, his sense of time majestic.  Amazingly, his voice is still very much intact.  He was wearing a black cowboy shirt with Hopi designs, fitting for a true shaman.  Cindy is capable of Tony's polyrythmic explosions, but was most compelling on the rare moments when she grooved ala Al Foster.  Speaking of shamans, Carlos Santana sat in with his new wife ast the end of the set.  Yes, they played "Sunshine of Your Love", which Carlos covers on his new cd.  To hear two 60's icons who literally changed the music jam together like teenagers is one of the high points of my life in music.  Carlos had a beautiful new blonde Paul Reed Smith, and played through a reissue blackface Fender Deluxe with a fuzz pedal.  His tone was fantastic, as always, proving it's in the fingers and heart, not the gear.