Concert going started in earnest last week.  Marisa and her dad took in The Doobie Brothers and (Carlos) Santana at Jones Beach last Thursday.  This great double -bill was my second concert of the week; Sunday Shelly and I enjoyed a special performance by The Bodega Tall Boys at Port Washington’s North Hempstead Town Beach; the boys feature Friday’s blogger’s son, Alex with grandson Shawn sitting in on lead guitar on two tunes.

Despite the heat emergency, hanging last Thursday eve at the beach worked well. While my watch indicated 80 degrees, the breeze off the ocean and the bay made things rather comfortable, especially if one seeks to rock out.

The current Doobies lineup, no offense to any past members, features the key members [Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons, John McFree and Michael McDonald) from each era.  Certain songs just require you to turn the volume up and work so well driving in your care, including the two they opened with, Rockin’ Down the Highway and their cover of the Motown classic, Take Me in Your Arms, which they make as their own; add to that China Grove.  I liked John McFee’s fiddle on Black Water.  

They closed with Takin’ it to the Streets joined by two Santana vocalists and Listen to the Music, which always gives one a big smile.

Interestly my daughter who wanted to also see Santana, said she only knew two (more contemporary) songs.  But as song as she heard the Evil Ways and (the Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac cover) of their hit, follow-up Black Magic Woman, she asserted familiarity.  I was intrigued by Santana’s drummer who I learned is his wife of 12 years, to whom he proposed to on tour in 2014.  Just an amazing player.

Marisa posted several videos to Facebook.

View the setlists below:

Doobie Brothers Bros. setlist
Rockin’ Down the Highway
Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While) (Eddie Holland cover) 
Dependin' on You 
Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near) (Michael McDonald song) 
Walk This Road 
It Keeps You Runnin' 
Minute by Minute 
Without You 
Jesus Is Just Alright (The Art Reynolds Singers cover) 
What a Fool Believes (Kenny Loggins cover)
Long Train Runnin' 
China Grove (With band introductions.) 
Black Water 
Amazing Grace (John Newton cover) 
Takin' It to the Streets 
Listen to the Music

Santana setlist:
Soul Sacrifice 
Jin-go-lo-ba (Babatunde Olatunji cover)
Evil Ways  (Willie Bobo cover with Steely Dan’s “Do It Again” snippet)
Black Magic Woman (Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac cover) / Gypsy Queen 
Oye cómo va (Tito Puente cover (with Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move” snippet)
Everybody's Everything 
Bass and Drum Solo  (musical director & bassist Benny Rietveld/ (Mrs.) Cindy Blackman Santana. with “Roundabout” by Yes + “Iron Man” Black Sabbath snippet)
I Love Music  (The O’Jays cover with The Doobie Brothers)
She's Not There (The Zombies cover) 
Hope You're Feeling Better 
The Game of Love
(Da le) Yaleo 
Put Your Lights On 
Keyboard Solo ((son) Salvador Santana)
Corazón espinado
Maria Maria 
Foo Foo 
Encore:
Savor / Toussaint L'Ouverture 
Drum Solo (Cindy Blackman Santana With Band Introductions)
Smooth