‘Evil Ways’ at PV Cabaret and Bar
A week today is St. Valentine’s Day! Chocolate is celebrated here in its country of origin, and what better way to take the herbal tinctures you need than to eat infused chocolates! Dark, rich and healthy chocolates that are handmade by Ricardo Mazcal, our local wizard of plant medicine. I use a number of Ricardo’s products daily; these herbal-infused chocolates are the best-tasting things he makes, hands down! Visit his Market on the Isla Cuale every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm, and stock up on Valentine’s Day gifts (I like the ginkgo biloba for my brain, please!)
What a beautiful noise hit the The Palm Cabaret and Bar yesterday afternoon with a Santana Tribute, Evil Ways, featuring nine musicians! The only one I knew was Edgar Bernache on the keyboard; he was, of course, perfect! The opening number grabbed our attention for, I swear, ten minutes before they caught a breath, and we, as the audience, could start showing some appreciation. It’s difficult to pick favorite Santana songs in a career that spans more than 50 years, but the very, very faves like Europa (1976), Samba Pa’ Ti (1973), Smooth (1999), and Black Magic Woman (1970) were played to perfection.
Lucero Zamora of Colectivo Hueco from the sound booth was on stage afterward, helping to break down the enormous amounts of equipment to clear the stage for the next show, told me the band would have a couple of dates at Coco Cabaret. I hope that’s soon because I will go and listen to them play again, and I will let you know when; you do not want to miss this glorious representation of Santana’s finest hits.
From the front row, I had the best view of Mario Osama’s fingers and have a greater understanding of why most guitarists don’t even try to play Santana. For one, his feet were almost as busy as his hands punching buttons on the stage floor with his toes. Santana is fast and so very precise with his fingering; you know his music in three notes because they are crisp with truth. There is never a slide into the next note; each one is picked with fierce intent. So, bravo, Maestro Mario. The three percussionists were busy every single song, congas, bongos, timbales, and drums. The undertones were visceral.
A superb homage to Carlos Santana’s gifts of music to the world, thank you, Evil Ways.