Every Day I Have the Blues - song and lyrics by Carlos Santana
In the sprawling universe of rock and blues compilations, few titles provoke as much curiosity as “Santana and A Few – Its a Blues Compilation.” While not an official commercial release, the name has surfaced on obscure fan forums, old peer-to-peer file-sharing lists, and bootleg tracklists from the early 2000s. Could it be a lost gem? A fan-made tribute? Or simply a mislabeled collection of live recordings and deep cuts?
The tracklist, as far as the source reveals, begins with two tracks from the legendary British blues-rock guitarist – “Hideaway” and another track that is cut off in the listing. This early glimpse suggests that the compilation includes a broad selection of blues artists, with Santana’s music likely forming a key part of the collection.
Here, the "A Few" are the Greyhounds, a Texas blues-soul band. Santana swaps his usual PRS for a ’59 Les Paul, conjuring a muddy, Delta growl. The result is less Woodstock, more juke joint on a Saturday night. Santana and A Few - Its a Blues Compilation 202...
Originally an instrumental ballad, this reworking turns the melody into a minor-key blues lament. There are no Latin percussion breaks—just bass, drums, and Santana’s guitar carrying the weight of every heartbreak the blues has ever known.
While there is no officially released album titled "Santana and A Few - Its a Blues Compilation 202...", Carlos Santana's extensive 2025–2026 schedule includes the major studio album and various regional projects like Abrazame Muy Fuerte (2026) .
The compilation acts as a bridge between his legendary early blues-fusion and his more modern superstar collaborations: Every Day I Have the Blues - song
Reviews for Sentient have been overwhelmingly positive, with some critics ranking it among his best recent works:
: Showing the mentorship and mutual respect between Santana and blues royalty. The "202..." Context: A Modern Perspective
A Grammy-winning solo project by Carlos Santana that remains his most personal blues-rock statement. Or simply a mislabeled collection of live recordings
The album's lead single, a hauntingly beautiful track featuring Robert Cray, sets the tone for the rest of the compilation, with Santana's soaring guitar work perfectly complementing Cray's soulful vocals. Another standout track, a high-energy blues-rock number with Buddy Guy and Joe Bonamassa trading licks and vocals, highlights the chemistry and camaraderie among the artists.
The year 2021 was a significant one for Santana. In October of that year, the band released its twenty-sixth studio album, through BMG Rights Management. The album featured collaborations with icons like Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Chick Corea, and Steve Winwood. It represented a return to the eclectic, guest-star-heavy formula that had brought Santana mainstream success with Supernatural in 1999.
A staple that appears across several classic archival releases, showcasing the band’s raw, early-70s live energy.
: A major highlight for purists is the inclusion of tracks recorded with Italian composer Paolo Rustichelli , two of which feature the unmistakable trumpet of Miles Davis Modern Reimagining
Leo sat in the dark, the needle rising on its own. He looked at the sleeve again. No credits. No date. Just that title. He flipped it over. In tiny, handwritten letters on the back, someone had added: