Latin Music Concert DVDs

No one rocks out quite like Mexico's Mana. The group had a huge hit with Amar Es Combatir and they took it on the road with their tour by the same name. This DVD is a live recording filmed at a concert in Puerto Rico and, with the right sound system, should give you the feeling that you're right there with the ecstatic crowd.

Mexico's Marco Antonio Solis is not only an exceptional composer, he's also a dynamite performer adding a strong voice to songs that fuse norteno with pop and concentrating heavily on ballads. The DVD was recorded at an exciting concert in Madrid and includes "Amor In Silencio," "Como Tu Mujer," "Morenita" and more.

If record sales are any indication, Brazil's Roberto Carlos is still the popular music king in his native land. But it was 10 years before he came back to the U.S. to perform at Miami's new Carnival Center for the Performing Arts. The interesting thing about this concert, filmed in May 2007, is that Carlos forgoes his native Portuguese language and sings his many hits in Spanish.

Normally Mexican rocker Julieta Venegas is not the most dynamic performer in the world, but she did just fine in front of a small audience in the 'MTV Unplugged' format. She's joined by guest artists Gustavo Santaolalla, Marisa Monte, La Mala Rodriguez and other guests. This DVD would make for a more intimate concert experience.

With all of the many concerts that Vicente Fernandez has given - he does a serious number of them each year - this is the first time he's allowed anyone to film him performing live. This DVD is an even bigger treat in that it was filmed at the 'Centro de Espectaculos Vicente Fernandez Gómez'- which is Fernandez' private arena. He's accompained by the Jalisco Philarmonic Orchestra.

Chayanne's new live recording, shot in Rio Plate, Argentina, has Patty Vega as the guest artist. I have to admit that with some performers, listening is more exciting than watching, but with this Puerto Rican artist, you get two of your senses tickled. And in some ways, it's even better than a live concert: think of all the close-ups!

Once Maria Rita was a star only in her native Brazil, but all that changed as she's come to the attention of a global audience. Samba Meu was one of my favorite albums this year (and was nominated for a 2008 Latin Grammy), but here's a chance to watch her live performance in Rio de Janeiro in June 2008.

Live recordings from world tours seem to be the mode this year, and Spain's 5th Estacion is no exception with a live album recorded in Madrid.

Miami's Willy Chirino helped define the Miami sound; in 2006 he gave a concert of some of his biggest hits from his home town. Although I'm a Chirino fan and have seen him perform (so I know he puts on a first-class show), I've yet to watch this DVD, which leads me to wonder how Chirino's featured guests could possibly include Celia Cruz, who died in 2003, and Cuban legend Beny More who died in 1963.

But I'm betting the concert is worth the price of admission anyway.