Review: Lovin' la vida with Ricky Martin

Big it was and the 43-year-old superstar did not disappoint his sold-out audience at the AVA at Casino Del Sol Wednesday night, the same day his most recent recording, "A quien quiera escuchar," received a Latin Grammy nomination.

His signature smile, hot looks and precision stage show with eight on-the-money dancers and seven can’t-miss-a-lick musicians, heated up the cool evening still damp from storms earlier in the week. 

Martin, dressed in black trousers and a fringed black top, kicked off his storm almost 30 minutes late but that didn’t matter to the multitude of fans who were still streaming inside, slowed down by road construction on West Valencia Road. His fans, who paid a minimum of $50 to see and hear him, appreciated the delay so that they didn't miss a minute. 

A couple of songs into his 90-minute set, the Puerto Rican, one-time member of the pimple pop group Menudo, had his frenzied following shaking their bon bons with, you know it, “Shake Your Bon-Bon," one of his mega hits from 1999, when the Latino estrella crashed the English-language music world. From the reaction of the crowd, with some waving the red, white and blue Puerto Rican flags, one would think that it was Martin’s most recent radio sensation.

A couple of songs later the stage lights dimmed and the roar of a motor and the video screens revved, teasing and playing the eager crowd. As the lights went up, the stage was transformed into a hot street scene with Martin atop a Mustang convertible. The opening notes put the show into full throttle with his signature dance hit “Livin’ la Vida Loca.” 

Martin didn’t hold back. While he clearly is the star of his own show, the four pairs of female and male dancers, and musicians complete the package. The stage itself was impressive with multiple levels imbedded with multi-colored lights.

The performance was all polish and poise. 

Sex and sensuality were a big part of the show, too, of course. The male dancers at one point transformed into Chippendale dancers, preening their sculpted bods, sans the bow ties. The female dancers also showed off their well toned bodies through several changes of clothes and lingerie. But midway into the saucy show, incongruity seeped in.

Martin and crew launched into “She Bangs,” with all its sex appeal and messages they could manage. But the show shifted gears and mood when video images of starving, Third World children flashed above the stage. It was a “Save the Children” moment and appeal. Commendable but awkward.

There was no segue, no introduction, no verbal appeal from Martin who sang a ballad seemingly unconnected to his world cause. He ended his silent plea with the screen broadcasting the name of his foundation.

But back to the show with is early hit “Vuelve” and his most recent material for which he earned a nomination for a Latin Grammy the day of his show. And while the Mustang had disappeared from the stage, the all-pro showman kept his foot on the pedal, ending his show with horn-driven reggaeton tunes. 

“Do you really want it, Tucson?” he asked several times as he ended his only Tucson appearance.  

The answer was a resounding “Sí!