Photos by Andy Argyrakis

On any given night, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers’ Santana or The Doobie Brothers could fill whatever shed they want, so when the pair resumed their periodic partnership for the opening night of the “Oneness” Tour, it was like seeing two top-tier shows in a single evening at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park.

Fresh off a compilation called “Sentient,” which boasts collaborations with Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Miles Davis and more, Carlos Santana and his longtime band of the same name were once again on fire for nearly two hours, irregardless of its fearless leader needing to occasionally take a seat at an otherwise 78-years-young.

Their innovative Latin, African, psychedelic, jazz and blues flavors were immediately evident, from Woodstock-era essentials “Soul Sacrifice,” “Jin-go-lo-ba” and “Evil Ways,” to signature renditions of “Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen” and “Oye Cómo Va.”

Later tunes “Maria Maria” and “Foo Foo” demonstrated Santana and company’s ability to adapt yet retain their distinctiveness, while covers of The Zombies’ “She’s Not There,” Mavin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues” and The Beatles’ “Come Together” were shaken up in a similarly unconventional sonic cocktail.

The massive amount of musicians really leaned into the jams by “(Da Le) Yaleo,” “Corazón Espinado” and “Toussaint L’Ouverture,” extended by Cindy Blackman Santana’s colossal drum solo, followed by “Smooth” as Santana recalled reintroducing himself to yet another generation on the path to total timelessness.

Right beforehand, The Doobie Brothers appeared rejuvenated after a relatively recent trip to the studio to record “Walk This Road,” the southern meets soulful rockers’ first entirely new album with singer/keyboard player Michael McDonald since 1980.

Besides his return to the fold a few years ago, the line-up also features co-founders Tom Johnston (vocals/guitar) and Patrick Simmons (guitar), plus fellow longtime guitarist John McFee and their trusty backers, who took turns on lead for 80 brisk minutes, including “Rockin’ Down The Highway,” “Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While),” “It Keeps You Runnin'” and “Minute By Minute.”

The newer title track, featuring Chicago’s own Mavis Staples on the recording, was quite complimentary to the classics and there were tons more of those, such as “Jesus Is Just Alright,” “What A Fool Believes” and “China Grove.”

The legends’ flawless harmonies carried over into a closing stretch of “Black Water,” “Takin’ It To The Streets” and “Listen To The Music,” which is exactly what a fully immersed Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre did for both The Doobies and Santana in one of this summer’s most spectacular displays of musical brotherhood.

For additional information on Santana and The Doobie Brothers, visit Santana.com and TheDoobieBrothers.com.

Upcoming shows at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre include Godsmack (Jun. 20); Evanescence (Jul. 8); Muse (Jul. 10); John Mellencamp (Jul. 11); Summer Of ’99 And Beyond Festival (Jul. 18-19); The Black Crowes (Jul. 24); Hilary Duff (Jul. 26); Ne-Yo and Akon (Jul. 28); Guns N’ Roses (Jul. 29); Avenged Sevenfold and Good Charlotte (Jul. 30); Train (Aug. 7); Lynyrd Skynyrd (Aug. 15); Five Finger Death Punch (Aug. 19); Mötley Crüe (Aug. 22); Kesha (Aug. 29); John Fogerty and Steve Winwood (Sept. 3); Wu-Tang Clan (Sept. 4); Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson (Sept. 5); Dan + Shay (Sept. 12); Pitbull (Sept. 13); $uicideboy$ (Sept. 16); Breaking Benjamin (Sept. 18); Tim McGraw (Sept. 19); Iron Maiden (Sept. 22); Staind (Sept. 23); Hayley Williams (Sept. 24) and Bryson Tiller (Sept. 27). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.

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