Santana @ the House of Blues, Las Vegas - Sept. 21

For various reasons I never saw Santana until about fifteen years ago when I vowed I'd never miss them/him again. I've seen them/ him twice in the UK since but never thought I'd also see them twice in the US, but when it turned out they had a residency at the hotel/casino next door to ours, in the small House of Blues Theatre, our attendance was never in doubt.

Advertised as a greatest-hits set, it began more or less chronologically: Soul Sacrifice, Jingo, Evil Ways and Black Magic Woman mercifully followed by Gypsy - at Newcastle Utilita it was allowed to fizzle out which was enormously disappointing. Oye Comó Va was followed by the first track from the extraordinarily successful Supernatural album - Maria Maria - and a few tracks I knew but didn't know the title or any background.

The classics returned with Europa - the only time I've heard them play it - and She's Not There and a lengthy drums and bass feature featuring a reference to Black Sabbath's Iron Man, which received rapturous applause. He spoke, his seventy-eight years showing in his mobility - a bit like Biden - if not his guitar playing, he shuffled between two chairs on stage like a modern-day version of a great blues artist. When a spiritual soul like Santana drops the F bomb you know the country and the world have lost its way.

Incident at Neshabur brought on Ravi - son of John Coltrane. In all honesty it never quite gelled, despite referencing at least three Trane tracks, including Chim Chim Cher-ee and My Favorite Things but surprisingly no A Love Supreme. Nevertheless, although I've seen Ravi twice in the UK and he was great (the second time), it was amazing to see them both on stage, Carlos with the son of his ultimate musical hero. Another lengthy drum solo by the boss's wife was followed by another track I know but not where from - presumably Supernatural - but featuring an excerpt from Gajira.

He left but returned for Toussaint L' Overture and inevitably Smooth, the most successful track from the Supernatural set. The omission of Samba Pa Te  was my only disappointment, the only time I've seen them when they didn't play it, though I suspect it made way for Europa.

And that was it; I can't imagine he'll be back in the UK and I have no plans to return to America. A world-famous household name but still one of the most under-rated artists we've been fortunate to have in our lifetime.  Steve T