Game baffles real rock heroes

Carlos Santana is back in Las Vegas this weekend to play his regular gig at the Hard Rock Hotel. And what could be a better way to mark the occasion than a new corporate tie-in?

At the Hard Rock's club Wasted Space on Thursday, members of the guitar hero's band suited up with plastic guitars to play the new "Guitar Hero 5" video game, which includes Santana's 1972 song "No One To Depend On."

Now, this is a tight group of musicians.

Look at Freddie Ravel.

He has played keyboards with Santana for nearly 20 years.

He played keyboards on Madonna's "Don't Cry For Me Argentina," and he served as musical director for Earth, Wind and Fire.

But when he played "Guitar Hero 5" on its easiest mode:

"I totally sucked," he admitted with a big smile at Wasted Space. "My 7-year-old daughter would kick my butt."

"We've got the actual musicians playing the game," Santana vocalist Andy Vargas said, then noted his and their lackluster chops on the game. His explanation: "It's a different art form."

True, that.

Ravel stressed that the game's songs have the right licks and tonal characteristics of the original songs.

"If this is gonna have an 8-year-old kid discover an icon for 40 years (Santana), it's a great thing," Ravel said.

Band members said they're loving the Hard Rock gigs.

Vargas said the most memorable night so far came after Santana's mom died in June. Santana was choked up the whole night. The band felt every note of every song.

"It was tough, man," Vargas said. "That was heavy."

Vocalist Tony Lindsay said the Santana shows offer something few Vegas shows do -- spontaneity. Nothing is "segued." Set lists change. The band has to stay sharp.

"And we do," Lindsay said, "because Carlos doesn't want to be bored."

The band plays 9 p.m. today, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday ($55-$155).

WEEKEND PLANNER

Many concerts are lining up for this Mexican Independence Day weekend. Read my column in the back of today's Neon section for the full run-through of Luis Miguel, Ricardo Arjona, Marco Antonio Solis and Pepe Aguilar, the Las Vegas International Mariachi Festival, Kiki Melendez, Polo Polo, Lupillo Rivera, the bloodless bullfighting of Toros Las Vegas, plus the Las Vegas Tequila Fest.

There's more in the Neon section on: Cheap Trick begins its "Sgt. Pepper" tribute Sunday at the Las Vegas Hilton. Mariah Carey tonight and Saturday at the Palms' Pearl. Britain's Top Talent today through Sunday at The Orleans' showroom. Ray Romano and Brad Garrett Saturday and Sunday at The Mirage. G. Love & Special Sauce today at Mandalay Bay Beach. Tower of Power today through Sunday at South Point. Mary Wilson on Saturday at the Silverton pool. Collective Soul tonight at the Hard Rock pool. Ho'olaule'a Pacific Islands Festival on Saturday and Sunday at the Henderson Events Plaza. Henderson Symphony Orchestra today at Henderson Events Plaza. Frankie Avalon today through Sunday at Suncoast. The Pointer Sisters on Saturday at the Cannery. And the Gipsy Kings on Saturday just outside of Vegas at Buffalo Bill's in Primm.

Doug Elfman's column appears Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. E-mail delfman@reviewjournal.com. The blog's at reviewjournal.com/elfman.