SMALL PRINT: Kevin Courtney: Hello, is that Carlos Santana? Yes, how are you?
Carlos Santana:Me? I'm in guitar heaven. But I've only got 10 minutes.
KC: So let's start with your love life. You proposed to your drummer, Cindy Blackman, onstage in July. How does it feel to be engaged?
CS:My feet are not touching the ground, and I feel like I have no form. It's totally good.
KC: They say the drummer uses up the most energy in the band. At 63, can you keep up with your future wife?
CS: Yeah, she's a black panther and I'm a lion, so we're perfectly matched.
KC: What song will be played at your wedding? CS: There's a rumour that Mr Wayne Shorter and Mr Herbie Hancock might play at our wedding. Can you believe that?
KC: Your new album, Guitar Heaven, is a collection of classic rock covers including Whole Lotta Love, Smoke On The Water and Sunshine Of Your Love. What do you look for in a song?
CS: To honour, to compliment, to be completely new and totally familiar.
KC: You have some heavy-hitting guests on Guitar Heaven– Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, Nas, Joe Cocker. India Arie does a great version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Do you call them, or do they call you?
CS: Both. But my heart told me to call Joe Cocker, call India Arie. My heart in the past told me to call my brother Eric Clapton, or Rob Thomas. Everyone has an experience sooner or later where you hear a voice that asks you to do something. That voice is very alive in everyone, and that voice will take you to a safe place of wonderment and inspiration.
KC: What is the essence of Santana?
CS: At one stage I would have said that Santana was somewhere between BB King and Tito Puente. But now, I would just say that Santana is a rainbow with all the colours. And I am at the end of the rainbow with the pot of gold!
KC: Is there a spark between singer and guitarist?
CS: Yes, there is a connection between Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, or between Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce, that's symbiotically one. I hope that in the future I can share with Andrea Bocelli or Bono.
KC: Is spirituality still a strong part of your life and music?
CS: I grew up very much loving John Coltrane. And Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa. And the Beatles. The Beatles were extremely spiritual, especially George Harrison. The connection with George Harrison and the gurus, which basically is a hunger for a higher consciousness. How many platinum records, or houses, or boats or cars or TVs can you have? After a while, the most important thing is how well you can touch another person, when you remind people that they are significant, meaningful, they can also make a difference in the world, and that they matter.
Carlos Santana plays Dublin’s O2 tonight.
