The Universal Tone, Carlos Santana
The Universal Tone, Carlos Santana
4 Rating(s)
List: $38.99 | Sale: $27.30
Club: $19.49

The Universal Tone
Bringing My Story to Light

Author: Carlos Santana, Ashley Kahn

Narrator: Jonathan Davis

Unabridged: 19 hr 14 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/04/2014

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

The intimate and long-awaited autobiography of a legend.

In 1967 in San Francisco, just a few weeks after the Summer of Love, a young Mexican guitarist took the stage at the Fillmore Auditorium and played a blistering solo that announced the arrival of a prodigious musical talent. Two years later -- after he played a historic set at Woodstock -- the world came to know the name Carlos Santana, his sensual and instantly recognizable guitar sound, and the legendary band that blended electric blues, psychedelic rock, Latin rhythms, and modern jazz, and that still bears his name.

Carlos Santana's unforgettable memoir offers a page-turning tale of musical self-determination and inner self-discovery, with personal stories filled with colorful detail and life-affirming lessons. The Universal Tone traces his journey from his earliest days playing the strip bars in Tijuana while barely in his teens and brings to light the establishment of his signature guitar sound; his roles as husband, father, recording legend, and rock guitar star; his indebtedness to musical and spiritual influences -- from John Coltrane and John Lee Hooker to Miles Davis and Harry Belafonte; and his deep, lifelong dedication to a spiritual path that he developed from his Catholic upbringing, Eastern philosophies, and other mystical sources. It includes his recording some of the most popular and influential rock albums of all time, up to and beyond the 1999 sensation Supernatural, which garnered nine Grammy Awards and stands as arguably the most amazing career comeback in popular music history.

It's a profoundly inspiring tale of divine inspiration and musical fearlessness that does not balk at finding the humor in the world of high-flying fame, or at speaking plainly of Santana's personal revelations and the infinite possibility he sees in each person he meets. "Love is the light that is inside of all of us, everyone," he writes. "I salute the light that you are and that is inside your heart."

Reviews

Goodreads review by Mark on April 28, 2015

I’ve always enjoyed a wide variety of music. It was Santana’s mature black and white photo on the book cover that drew me in to comprehend his life story. Born on July 20, 1947 Carlos Santana’s roots came from the Mexican ghettos of Autlan and from age 8 to 15 in Tijuana residing in a partially cons......more

Goodreads review by R on June 02, 2015

Tedious, self indulgent and way to much cosmic spiritual metaphysical bs. This book brings to light Carlos's penchant for creating music for other musicians and not enough for the music buying public.......more

Goodreads review by Christopher on January 05, 2015

This has not been my first rock-star autobiography by any means but it is by far my favorite. I will admit, there are several Santana albums I have not heard over the span of his career but I was more intrigued by the man, Carlos Santana, than I was by the band Santana. A what a beautiful man Carlos......more

Goodreads review by Liane on April 10, 2019

Ending this memoir tonight was hard. It was like waving goodbye to a new friend at the airport, Carlos Santana. I had to stop myself on most pages to take in the wealth of musicians and influences that Carlos makes his own: John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Johnie Lee Hooker, Otis Rush, names I've only he......more

Goodreads review by Sandy on November 22, 2014

I loved this book ... As a musician, it inspired me. As a human being, it inspired me. Sometimes in the weeds of words, Carlos presents a bloom of beauty to rest upon until the mind can process. Thank you.......more


Quotes

NPR's Best Book of the Year
American Book Award Winner

"One of the most articulate rock memoirs ever."—Chris Willman, San Francisco Chronicle

"With its deep insight into the Mexican musician who usually lets his music speak for itself, this book is a Carlos Santana fan's dream.... And his message seems to be as profound as the universe itself."—Felix Contreras, co-host of NPR's Alt.Latino, "NPR's Best Books of 2014"

"In this frank and impassioned memoir, iconic, influential musician Santana, 67, known for fusing rock and Latin rhythms, weaves together the rhythmic, domestic and spiritual dimensions of his career. Generously reflective and well-balanced.... Charismatic and soulful.... An appreciative and unpretentious chronicle, this is required reading for Santana fans and devotees of classic rock legends."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist's book is perhaps the most musically generous of the fall's memoirs. Santana doesn't pull punches...."—Brian Mansfield, USA Today

"Santana [writes] with the same searing intensity and blatant honesty displayed throughout his 45-year career in music.... The Universal Tone is a book examining a lifelong quest for knowledge and some sense of divinity... Santana deals with both in the same unflinchingly honest and dignified tone."—Jeff Miers, The Buffalo News

An "excellent new autobiography."—Jim Farber, New York Daily News

"A candid and stunning story.... Deeply honest and frank."—Robin Leach, Las Vegas Sun

"From Tijuana, Mexico to Woodstock and beyond, legendary guitarist Santana spins a freewheeling ballad of his remarkable life."—O, The Oprah Magazine

"The Universal Tone doesn't follow the usual well-trodden path of other rock star tell-alls... Santana sidesteps salaciousness for spirituality while taking readers through the touchstone moments of his remarkable life and career."

"A compelling and uplifting journey through his life and career."—Joe Bosso, Music Radar

"Entertaining and enlightening.... Santana's journey from obscurity and abject poverty to affluence and superstardom is expressed eloquently via an informal conversational style that captures the cadences of his speaking voice."—Charles Waring, MOJO Magazine