Carlos Santana releases “Joy” with Chris Stapleton
Multi-Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Carlos Santana has released the fourth song off his star-studded, masterful new album, Blessings and Miracles (out via BMG on October 15), a collaboration with acclaimed Grammy-winning musician Chris Stapleton, who also produced the track, on the soul-enriching “Joy.”
Spend a few minutes around Carlos Santana, and you’re bound to hear the word “joy” more than a few times, so it’s only fitting that the album’s fourth song, which teams the guitarist with Stapleton, is called “Joy.”
It’s a marvel that unfolds almost cinematically – one can envision mountain vistas and expansive plains – blending country, reggae, blues and gospel with a widescreen sing-along chorus. Stapleton is in peak form, plaintive and passionate, and Santana’s guitar playing, each immaculate solo and response, rises to meet him.
“I was very intrigued to work with Chris,” Santana says. “We talked on the phone about the Covid situation and how there’s so much fear in the world, and I said, ‘We need to create music as a healing force. We must bring hope and courage and disinfect twisted minds infected with darkness.’ That gave him the ammunition to write such incredible words. Somewhere I said, ‘flying on the wings of angels,’ so it’s a collaboration. And what an incredible song it is. The choir in it – it’s like the Staple Singers.”
In addition to “Joy,” the album’s first single “Move,” featuring Rob Thomas and American Authors, Santana’s collaboration “She’s Fire” with Diane Warren and G-Eazy, and the classic “Whiter Shade of Pale” featuring Steve Winwood is available now.
Blessings and Miracles is one of the most ambitious, inspired and magical albums of Santana’s storied career, on which the legendary guitarist aims higher than ever. “The title of this album comes from my belief that we’re born with heavenly powers that allow us to create blessings and miracles,” Santana says. “The world programs you to be unworthy of those gifts, but we have to utilize light, spirit and soul – they’re indestructible and immutable. Those are the three main elements on this album.”
In addition to the above talents, Blessings and Miracles sees Santana collaborating with a diverse host of brilliant artists, writers and producers including Chris Stapleton, Chick Corea, Rick Rubin, Corey Glover, Kirk Hammett, Ally Brooke and Narada Michael Walden, among others, on genre-bending, hook-filled knockout musical celebrations.
The record also features bravura performances from members of Santana’s touring band (including drummer Cindy Blackman Santana, singer Tommy Anthony, bassist Benny Rietveld, percussionist Karl Perazzo, and keyboardist David K. Matthews), as well as impeccable vocals and keyboards by the guitarist’s son, Salvador Santana, and stunning lead vocals by daughter, Stella Santana.
Santana just wrapped a summer tour in the US and will continue their multi-year residency at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas with upcoming dates from November 3 thru December 11.
