Whoa, Nelly! I'm still reeling from the biggest, boldest surprise of the Latin Grammy Awards: Juan Gabriel's exuberant, over-the-top, darn near scary performance that went on for over half an hour and saved the show from being totally ho-hum.
Laura Pausini opened the show with the help of performers from Cirque du Soleil. Pepe Aguilar sang (on key for a change) with dancers dressed in 'Dia de Los Muertos' costumes. Luis Fonsi did a credible job with his big hit "Me Voy de Vencido." Wisin y Yandel serenaded the audience with pole dancers whose acrobatics gave Cirque a run for their money. Calle 13 performed "La Perla" with Ruben Blades. Oscar D'Leon and Gilberto Santa Rosa did a nice salsa duet while Alicia Keyes joined Alejandro Sanz in "Looking for Paradise," which will appear on his upcoming album Paraiso Express. All of it was pleasant, but none of it seemed particularily inspired.
The awards show was hosted by by actor/comedian Eugenio Derbez and actress/singer Lucero. There was a unexpected bit of business as the awards were held by extravagantly costumed figures that were fun to watch but that represented -- well, beats me. There were no big surprises and top honors went to Calle 13 with five wins.
And all the while, this year's Latin Recording Academy's 'Person of the Year' sat in the audience wearing a big smile, blue eye shadow and an outfit that looked like he was channeling Liberace. Gabriel had a rough start on his entry to Las Vegas; he was ordered to appear in court on Nov. 2, 2009 for a breach of contract suit resulting in his failure to appear at a concert in 2005, although he was acquitted of the charges.
So when Gabriel took the stage 2 hours and 45 minutes into the program, I was hoping he'd make it short. And then I sat glued to the TV for the next 30+ minutes as Gabriel sang his heart out. He wasn't in great voice, he was grotesque at times, he spilled two drinks all over himself and the stage, he stood so near the edge I thought he might fall off as he did in 2005.
But there is no doubt that the man has written some great songs and as he sang some of them to an audience that sang back, the show finally came alive. Juan Gabriel had the stage and he was going to make the most of that global spotlight.
Weird as it was, it was great to see someone who put some life and passion into his music.
* Photo courtesy Getty Images
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