Hope You're Feeling Better

Listen while you read: Hope You're Feeling Better

Is that you? Your eyes slowly fading?
Is that you? Your mind full of tears?
Is that you? Searching for a good time?
Is that you? Waiting for all these years?

And I hope you're feeling better
Yes, I hope you're feeling good
Yes, I hope you're feeling better

Is that you? Look across the ocean
Is that you? Thinkin' nothin' is really there?
Is that you? Waiting for the sunshine?
Is that you? When all you see is glare?

And I hope you're feeling better
Yes, I hope you're feeling good
Yes, I hope you're feeling better

~  Gregg Rolie (Santana)

Yes, I hope you're feeling better . . . and that you don't have any preexisting conditions. And if you're searching for a good time, you must know that today is Cinco de Mayo! (If, on the other hand, your eyes are slowly fading, I guess you've been aware of the day for a few hours now.) Salud!

"Hope You're Feeling Better" appears on the 1970 release Abraxas, just one year after Santana's game-changing appearance at the Woodstock Festival. If you've seen the video of their performance of Soul Sacrifice at Woodstock, you will recall the amazing drum solo by Michael Shrieve. It was rumored at the time that Shrieve was only 17, but the truth is that he was 20. So in the video linked above, recorded at Tanglewood  in August 1970, he was 21. Still a kid. Watch at 3:20 when he loses a drumstick and grabs another, never losing the rhythm.

And then there's Carlos Santana. Consistently rated as one of the best rock guitarists, he can mesmerize his audience. I am hoping to experience that again when he plays Bethel Woods (site of the Woodstock Festival) this August. Carlos Santana was born in Jalisco, Mexico, but moved with his family to California during his early teens. He learned violin and guitar from his father, who played in a mariachi band. I'm glad there wasn't a wall in place when Carlos came to America.

So, from what I understand, Cinco de Mayo, although recognized in Mexico as the day of the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla (May 5, 1862), is not celebrated to the extent that it is here in the United States. Leave it to the Americans to find any excuse to imbibe and pig out! So grab yourself a Corona and a bag of Tostitos and kick up your heels.

Arriba, abajo, al centro y adentro! (Up, down, towards the center, and down the hatch.) And tomorrow morning, I will hope you're feeling better.