The Universal Tone

Bringing My Story to Light

By: Carlos Santana, Ashley Kahn

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Carlos Santana (introduction)

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 pause-resisting 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".

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2014 Carlos Santana (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"One of rock's true virtuosos and guiding lights." - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" A thread runs through his multicultural, cross generational music: the unifying power of the human spirit." (John Roos, Los Angeles Times)

"Passion, soul, and that elusive thing called sabor come through the music of Carlos Santana. His is always a surprising sound, ahead of its time - true world music before the term was even invented, but uniquely American in its multicultural reach... Santana is an artist who transcends musical genres and touches the heart across all generations." (The Kennedy Center)

Carlito Leads The Way

Perfect life story of the balance between his spiritual journey and artistic expression. I will definitely listen again, many lessons, many truths.

A great audiobook.

Great insight to the depths of a great human being. A definite must for fans & those who desire to learn.

Thanks for a wonderful book!

Loved your book. Will never forget it! Always loved your music! I feel as though I spent the last week with you! Such a wonderful feeling!

Fabulous

Carlos! You have Lightened My Life for 50 years!! Thank you so much for sharing yourself

Legend!

He is very thorough with his story, so very detailed. It was a pleasure and an inspiration to listen to his book. I absolutely highly recommend this book. I wish I would have listened to it sooner however everything happens in divine timing. Thank you Mr. Carlos Santana for sharing!

Brilliant- insights for business, the arts, and life

Great all around. Santana is one of my favorite bands, and this gives amazing insight into the music and life that inspired his and the band’s amazing achievements. The lessons extend beyond his career, and are relatable at all levels. I’ve read a dozen autobiographies in the past year alone, and I’ve gifted this one to at least six friends who could use the messages and lessons laid out here.

New insights to an old soul

I'm not a huge Santana fan but decided to checkout this audiobook after hearing an advert on the Howard Stern show.
I loved the message behind it and was not aware of this evolved soul walking amongst us.

The Universal Tone Flows

I have always resonated with Carlos Santana's music and spirituality. Ever since I listened to the first Santana album in 1969. It was so nice to hear his memoir.

The narrator, Jonothan Davis, did a first-class job with the narration. He did such a good job that it sounds just like Carlos is narrating. Plus he does the voices of the other characters very well. Especially his version of Miles Davis's voice.

Wow, I loved it.

Thank you for your story. It hits every core of emotion. I would pause during times he'd mention a song, or year and artist. Review a clip, or video, to take me into that time. Then. Hop back to the book.

Excellent story of a spiritual life journey to awa

Excellent story of a Spiritual life journey to awareness. Could not put it down. Their music was God's words.