Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Gregg Rolie, best known for his vocals and keyboard work with legendary music groups Santana and Journey, has caused a flurry of excitement with the release of his latest CD 'Rain Dance". This live CD captures Gregg and his all-star band performing at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 2007. The music press and fans alike have been raving about the new CD and have even compared Rolie's band to that of the original Santana group, in which Rolie was a founding member. "The reviews have been great," says Gregg. "The band and I are anxious to get out on the road and play as many cities as possible in 2010, 2011, 2012 and so on..."
'Rain Dance' features electrifying versions of several Santana classics such as :"Evil Ways", "Black Magic Woman" "Soul Sacrifice", "Jingo" and "No One To Depend On" as well as tracks from Rolie's previous effort 'Roots' and new songs. The Gregg Rolie Band consists of founding Santana member Michael Carabello on Congas, Adrian Areas (son of original Santana percussionist Jose Chepito Areas) on Timbales, drummer Ron Wikso (who was also in The Storm), Kurt Griffey on guitars, internationally acclaimed bassist, Chapman Stick artist and Santana alumni Alphonso Johnson and former Jean Luc Ponty keyboardist Wally Minko. "The band is great, because we all really enjoy each other and I think the sound reflects the fun we are having," Gregg recently told Voices of Latin Rock. "We subtitle the band; 'Santana- the way you remember it' And at that gig in New York recently, we had half of the original Santana, that's about the closest you're ever gonna' get, to seeing that band together again! Michael Shrieve came down and sat in and it was fantastic! He is such a lyrical player and he makes me smile when he would do a certain thing or a fill and I'd remember his playing style, very much on the jazzier end but just so stylish. Ron Wikso my regular drummer is heavier and a real solid player too."
Gregg Rolie 'Rain Dance' CD is available through CD Baby. For more information visit the official website: - http://www.greggrolie.com
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