Posted by Flying Dutchman on July 03, 2008 at 17:19:56:
Budapest. The Flying Dutchman was there. I love this city. Maybe you remember, I visited Gabor Szabo's grave after a long journey in the winter of 2005 to pay him a tribute. This time it was summer.
I stayed at a great hotel at the foot of the "Hansi bridge" ;-). At Saturday, the day of the concert I started walking early in the morning to enjoy the city. Meanwhile, just couldn't forget about Gabor. Was listening to his music all the time. At some point in the morning I decided to go to the cemetery again to visit his grave. The only grave I have ever visited.
I had to look for a while, couldn't find is easily. Then I discovered... it was completely covered with grass etc... More than a meter high. You couldn't even read his name. It looked very sad. I sat down at the same little old wooden bench I sat at 3 years before and played some songs.
To be honest, I was just sad. My hero, Gabor Szabo... This is not right. Then I got inspiration from a good friend to do something about this. I started to clean the grave with my bare hands (ignoring the painful leaves and grass) and worked for a while until it looked decent and respectable again. Then I bought fresh flowers, put them at the grave, washed my hands and sat down on the little wooden bench again playing some more music. The sun was shining much brighter now, and I was happy. Happy I paid another tribute to Gabor.
After that I walked for a couple of hours, ending up at the square to enjoy the concert. I wasn't really up for it. Still thinking of Gabor. Then it started...
Jingo! Heard this song at 25 concerts I guess, but is always so powerful. Yeah Santana, do it!! Right on / Umi was magic again. Would he play any Gabor linked songs?
O yeah! Great intro to BMW and after that ended slowing down and... here it comes... Carlos: "This is for Gabor Szabo!" GYPSY QUEEN. Many Hungarians didn't even seem to understand to who Carlos was referring to. But I did. and I experienced a surreal moment on a square in Budapest. This song was so powerful. 300.000 people went crazy. And I, a Dutch guy, was standing in the middle of them. After walking 12 hours and cleaning the grave of the Hungarian composer of this song 10 miles ahead that morning. Strange. Still...
The concert was a 2 hour show. Other highlights were Samba pa Ti. Beautifully played. Carlos sitting down a couple of times. Also a new and longer intro for Maria Maria with Bill Ortiz doing a great job. And a longer version of Spartacus. Very nice. No more Gabor Szabo linked stuff. No Novus. Pity.
I was impressed by the number off people. Amazing. After a dinner I couldn't sleep. Too much happened on one day. Then I fell asleep and some beautiful dreams.
Next day I travelled to Italy. More on that later...
Still, I'm wondering if Carlos took the opportunity to visit Gabor's grave... I put flowers in name of all Santana lovers. Maybe he found the flowers there the day after the concert. If not I can provide a picture and directions to CS or anyone else who wants to pay a tribute as well.
Santana, Gabor Szabo, Budapest. Life is beautiful...
The Flying Dutchman