Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Whenever Carlos Santana leads his group of the same name on a summer excursion, it’s an event of epic proportions, yet the 25th anniversary of the record-shattering “Supernatural” feels all the more exciting at the moment.

The guitar god has stayed on top of the world after the comeback collection of collaborations and that communal essence continued alongside Counting Crows, easily one of the most regarded acts of the alternative/roots rock revival since getting started in the early 1990s.

Together, they filled up much of the American Family Insurance Amphitheater on the Summerfest grounds where for well over three total hours, each taking turns delivering many of their smash singles.

In fact, Santana seemed to make up for having to miss Milwaukee entirely the last time through due to passing out from heat exhaustion and dehydration, and even at 77-years-old with a chair nearby, was on the fire the moment his fingers touched the fretboard.

“Soul Sacrifice” immediately transported the all ages audience back to the historic Woodstock festival, circa 1969, and was followed by others representing that groundbreaking era of Afro, Latin, blues and jazz rock fusion, including inimitable renditions of “Evil Ways,” “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen” and “Oye Cómo Va.”

The man and the band kept cranking up those chops come “The Game Of Love,” The Zombies’ “She’s Not There,” Eric Burdon & War’s “Spill The Wine” and The Temptations’ “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone,” eventually unloading “Put Your Lights On,” “Maria Maria” and “Smooth” from the aforementioned 15x platinum project to fully illustrate an infectious and exhilarating evolution.

Counting Crows mixed and matched a bunch off the breakthrough “August And Everything After” album, such as “Mr. Jones,” “Round Here” and “Rain King,” also jamming their way around “Hanginaround” and “Holiday In Spain.”

All the while, longtime leader Adam Duritz’s distinctive voice echoed exactly like anyone would remember, while the many other original or longstanding members were always compelling as they refreshed the arrangements and mirrored Santana’s spontaneous spirit.

For additional information on Santana and Counting Crows, visit Santana.com and CountingCrows.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater include Alanis Morissette (Jul. 28); John Fogerty (Aug. 2); New Kids On The Block (Aug. 24); Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper (Aug. 27); Ms. Lauryn Hill & The Fugees (Aug. 30); Pitbull (Aug. 31); Avril Lavigne (Sept. 9); Live and Stone Temple Pilots (Sept. 14); and Dierks Bentley (Sept. 21). For additional details, visit AmFamAmp.com.

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