"Carlos Santana acknowledges Jeff Beck's unique guitar prowess, despite his initial roots in traditional blues, and explains how he embraced a particular persona top cover Michael Jackson's songs."
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In a recent interview with Guitar World, Carlos Santana opened up about the significant influence Jeff Beck has had on his guitar playing. The legendary musician revealed that when performing his cover of Michael Jackson's "Stranger in Moscow," he often thinks of Beck and phrases everything differently.
To nail the performance of "Stranger in Moscow," Santana had to go into character, channeling Beck's imaginative, passionate, and untraditional style. Beck's approach to guitar, Santana explained, is like "letting the hamster out of the cage," a freeing and innovative way of playing that has left a lasting impression on the guitarist.
Santana first heard Beck on the Yardbirds' 1966 track "Over Under Sideways Down," and from that moment, he was a fan. Beck's unique fuzz tone and multi-dimensional style, influenced by Indian classical musicians like Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan, resonated with Santana.
The collaboration between Beck and Santana came in 1986 during the Nagano Session, where they were joined by Steve Lukather. Santana learned from Beck the importance of trusting one's fingers and playing with a childlike sense of freedom and flow, likening it to "going down a water slide." This fearless creativity and emotional expressiveness encouraged Santana to embrace spontaneity and imagination in his guitar work.
Despite having a distinctive style that challenged traditional approaches to blues, Beck also had a deep understanding of the genre's roots. This balance between innovation and tradition is something that Santana admires and aspires to in his own playing.
The live cover of "Stranger in Moscow" was first featured on Michael Jackson's 1995 album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. On Santana's latest album, Sentient, the song makes a reappearance, showcasing Santana's unique interpretation of the classic tune. Even though the cover has Santana's own fingerprint, it is still distinct from his usual playing style, a testament to Beck's enduring influence.
Prince, another influential musician, also held a similar opinion about Santana's impact on his guitar style. As Santana continues to push the boundaries of guitar playing, it is clear that Beck's unconventional and multi-dimensional style will continue to be a guiding force in his musical journey.
While practicing his cover of "Stranger in Moscow," Santana imagines channeling Beck's innovative and untraditional style of music, creating a new entertainment experience for his listeners. Santana's love for music and his admiration for Beck's unique approach have led him to incorporate more free-flowing and inventive elements into his own guitar compositions, drawing from the rich roots of music and entertainment.
