Ricky Martin Musica + Alma + Sexo = AMAZING!

As you probably remember I had promised you a review of Ricky Martin’s concerts in the Garden State, New Jersey. I was one of the very fortunate fans to attend not only the concert in Atlantic City, but also the one at the Prudential Center. I have to tell you that these two concerts were incredible, amazing, full of energy, and most of all very inspiring!

The shows opened with a video projection of a very sexy, chained up Ricky Martin. You can see how he was struggling with the chains and trying to break free. The screen drops to reveal a towering three story metal scaffold, with Martin in a padded, skintight black leather outfit , singing Too Late, a power-ballad, pleading “don’t be afraid to feel”, before toppling backward from the scaffold into the arms of his dancers. His rhythm, his choreography, his voice, everything was perfect, as perfect could be.

He then sang, Dime Que Me Quieres (Tell me that you love me) here two of his guitarists flank Martin, his feet spread and up on a railing, pumping his hips to the crowd. The audience went absolutely wild! He did slow it down for his beautiful ballad Vuelve and the entire audience sang along…it was beautiful! The concert played like a Broadway show and it had a story from beginning to end, Ricky’s story. It also focused on a couple of his dancers who felt oppressed and were silenced while growing up because of their sexual preference and their color.

The second section was about his Living’ La Vida Loca era. He looked gorgeous in his white jacket and once again the crowd goes crazy as he girates his hips as only Ricky Martin can. She Bangs, Shake your Bon Bon and Loaded followed and it almost felt like a New Orleans or Chicago-esque style performance which was followed by Basta Ya, my new favorite song from the MAS album. I have to tell you that when I play this song in my car I pump up the volume and belt it out with Ricky. This song is so powerful that it always brings tears to my eyes. Well, it wasn’t any different at the concert and he sang this song with as much passion and heart as I had envisioned it.

He kicked off the third section with a flamenco-style Maria and a medley of other ballads. He was accompanied by his amazing musicians, Spanish guitars, and box drums. Then another video of Ricky was played, this one shows Ricky Martin nude in different yoga poses, then hurling bright colored paint onto his body through the air.

The finale was amazing! Ricky went back to his roots and sang Mas, Lola, La Bomba and a carnival like rendition of The Cup of Life. Ricky and his dancers were all wearing white and you can see and feel how this last song was a personal celebration for him. The crowd was pumped, dancing, and screaming for more! This song was a bit different at the Prudential Center because in this occasion Ricky took his shirt off and descended with his dancers down an elevator that was on the stage.

Ricky didn’t stop smiling the entire concert and his happiness was very contagious! His charisma pulled the audience into his male magnetism. He gave his fans what they wanted, eye candy and pure musical victory. The crowd was on their feet the entire time because this was a non-stop party from beginning to end. The show was risqué at times but it was expected as the name of his album and tour is Music + Soul + Sex. Ricky showed us that once and for all he is happy and free to be the person that he wants to be.

I found a great article on www.vivelohoy.com where they interview Ricky after his shows in Puerto Rico, Miami, Orlando, Montreal, and Toronto and here are a few of the questions that he was asked and his very sincere answers:

How was your first reunion with your audience, the first concert? I know all of your concerts have been special but this tour is very special after all that has happened in your life.

Ricky: I haven’t been on a stage since 2007, doing a show. Obviously I'm addicted to the show, I love being on stage, besides I have been mounting the show for the past two and a half months, what I wanted was to feel, you know, the applause, the audience’s reaction to see if we are doing something right. And since apparently the reaction was very positive and not just by the public, also by the media. I am extremely grateful. I'm still revealing emotions with this show. Yes there was much euphoria, but at the same time, the nice thing is that I am once again feeling, and I'm feeling without fear. And I can say that every night is different and I like that because I'll be touring for a year which means that every night I will discover new things.

Is it true that your shows are a party? Whoever goes doesn’t stop dancing, what you offer on stage is unique!

Ricky: It is a feedback from the public. This time I prepared a good concert and great music , but while highly theatrical, where we can play with characters, with different choreography and the costumes are very comprehensive. Giorgio Armani has designed all of the wardrobe for me, the dancers and the musicians. I'm very happy with this production, for me is a better show than "Livin 'La Vida Loca." That tour was extremely important in my life but this, right now I feel it is number one (laughs).

And now that your children, Matteo and Valentino fully see you on stage, how do they see this, do they understand now?

Ricky: Of course, they now know. They will ask me "Dad, will you sing?" And I said yes, if I'm going to sing then they ask "Are you going to sing a lot or little?" (Laughs). With my children every day is something new, it is wonderful to discover. They will go with me the whole tour. Many people ask me "Ricky, are you going to go on tour with your children?" And I reply "yes, for sure." They will go with me to Chicago, they go with me everywhere. They are my stability and I am their stability.

What other plans do you have, both professionally and personally?

Ricky: Look, people are always saying a thousand things, whether I am getting married or not, but the good thing is that I have Twitter and I can confirm the rumors or simply put them to rest if they are a lie (laughs). Right now my family is fine, stronger than it’s ever been. I'm happy and we will continue to move forward. Professionally right now my priority is my tour, I'm happy. I opened more cities in Mexico because they are sold out, people want to see the show, and God willing, from there we go to Europe and Latin America. That to me is most important.

So in closing I can say that Ricky is having the time of his life. Both his personal and his professional lives are thriving and in my opinion he truly deserves it. I will finish this blog with something Ricky said during this interview and I think will give us all an idea of where he comes from and where he is headed.

“Life is too short to live limited. In my case, for all that I have been able to share with you through my book, through my music. I'm not here to preach. When I look in the mirror I think: "Wow, you're a good person, you do not hurt anyone, walk forward and with your head held high” and this goes for all those who are persecuted in one way or another, either because of their sexual orientation, or looks, all immigrants who arrive in an unfamiliar country with a different language, you lose some of their personality. The important thing is love, never give up the dignity and always look people in the eye and say, "I am what I am, I am what I represent, what my parents were, I am what my grandparents were and that to me has given me strength and that is what I am leaving my children.”

Peace and Love ;-) Candela

Below are the rest of Ricky Martin's tour dates. If you haven't gone to his concert check for the nearest location to you and buy a ticket. You will not regret it!

4/22/11
Dallas, TX
Verizon Theatre

4/23/11
Houston, TX
Toyota Center

4/25/11
Hidalgo, TX
State Farm Arena

4/26/11
Laredo, TX
Laredo Entertainment Center

4/28/11
El Paso, TX
Coliseum

4/29/11
Albuquerque, NM
Sandia Casino

4/30/11
Las Vegas, NV
Colosseum

5/04/11
San Jose, CA
HP Pavilion

5/06/11
Los Angeles, CA
Nokia Theatre

5/07/11
Los Angeles, CA
Nokia Theatre

5/08/11
San Diego, CA
Valley View Casino Center

5/14/2011
Mexico DF
Palacio De Los Deportes

5/15/2011
Mexico DF
Palacios De Los Deportes

5/18/2011
Guadalajara, Mexico
Arena VFG

5/21/2011
Monterrey, Mexico
Arena Monterrey

5/22/2011
A&E Private Sessions
A&E (Latinoamerica)

5/23/2011
Monterrey, Mexico
Arena Monterry

6/23/11
Lisboa (Portugal) *NEW

6/24/11
Malaga (Spain)

6/25/11
Murcia (Spain)

6/28/11
Madrid (Spain)

6/29/11
Barcelona (Spain)

7/2/11
Rome (Italy) *NEW

7/3/11
Rimini (Italy) *NEW

7/4/11
Verona (Italy)

7/6/11
July 6: Montreaux (Switzerland)

7/8/11
Brussels (Belgium) *NEW

7/10/11
Amsterdam (Netherlands)

7/12/11
London (England) *NEW

And More To Come!