November 9, 2007
Latin Music Shines at The Hottest Show On The Vegas Strip
GRAMMY.com
Dominican bachata singer Juan Luis Guerra hit the jackpot at the 2007 Latin GRAMMYs held at the glitzy Mandalay Bay Events Center on Thursday. On this night, what happened in Vegas didn't stay in Vegas … it was broadcast around the world in celebration of Latin music.
Guerra grabbed five Latin GRAMMYs — Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Album Of The Year, Best Merengue Album and Best Tropical Song for La Llave De Mi Corazón and its title track. La Llave… was also recognized as the Best Engineered Album. The night before the telecast at a lavish gala, Guerra had been honored as the 2007 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year for his artistic and humanitarian accomplishments.
"Yesterday I received a beautiful homage on the behalf of all my colleagues," he said in Spanish. "I want to thank them for making me feel so special. And please allow me to dedicate this award to the Dominican Republic.
"In these last few days we have passed some difficult moments because of the hurricane [Noel] but we are full of faith and hope. We know there is a God we believe in, who never leaves us. We are strong and brave and above all, it is a land full of peace, glory and love."
Ricky Martin, who opened the telecast with renditions of "Lola" and "La Bomba" that exploded with color and percussion (with the help of Blue Man Group), took home the Best Male Pop Vocal Album award for MTV Unplugged. The album was also honored with the Latin GRAMMY for Best Long Form Music Video.
"I have to thank so many people, but I want to thank KC Porter, and Robi Draco Rosa, because on this CD, he is everywhere," said Martin. "I also want to thank the public, God, Puerto Rico, my family, and to the unions of small towns, not the divisions."
Puerto Rican reggaetón artists Calle 13 followed up their three wins last year (including Best New Artist) with a win for Best Urban Music Album for their critically acclaimed follow-up, Residente O Visitante. Later, the group also picked up the Latin GRAMMY for Best Urban Song for "Pal Norte," which they recorded with Cuban hip-hoppers Orishas.
"This is a message for all those who support us always, and those who do not support us," said Residente. "I love all the Latinos. We are giving a message to the United States of North America. We are all Latinos here and we are residents, no one is going to forcibly put up a wall."
Another multiple-award winner was Caetano Veloso, who won for both Best Singer-Songwriter Album for Cê, and Best Brazilian Song for "Não Me Arrependo."
In a way, MTV was one of the night's big winners, too. In addition to Ricky Martin's MTV Unplugged wins, Lenine's Acústico MTV and Lobão's Acústico MTV took home statuettes for Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album and Best Brazilian Rock Album, respectively. Brazilian singer/songwriter Zeca Pagodinho won the Best Samba/Pagode Album for Acustico MTV 2 Gafieira.
The prestigious Producer Of The Year award went to Sebastian Krys, recognized for his work with artists including David Bisbal, Jennifer Peña, Rabanes and Luis Fonsi.
Relative newcomers Alacranes Musical showcased their Duranguense dance energy and horn-fueled rhythms on the buoyant song "Sin Tú Amor." They were followed by a manic performance by the rock/pop/electronica band Kinky. Another electric moment came when pop singer Laura Pausini was joined by the powerful Italian operatic tenor Andrea Bocelli on the tune "Vive Ya." Pausini won Best Female Pop Vocal Album for her Yo Canto.
The evening was full of glamour as the Latin GRAMMYs took place for the first time in the live entertainment capital that is Las Vegas. The stage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center was an expansive, multi-level stage with explosive lights, lasers and of course, plenty of gambling imagery. Tapping into the city's reputation for ritzy extravaganzas, in addition to Blue Man Group, the three-hour show featured flash from other popular Las Vegas shows including "Folies Bergere," "HavanaNightShow" and "STOMP OUT LOUD."
The telecast was ably hosted by actress/singer Lucero and actor/comedian Eugenio Derbez and broadcast live on the Univision Network. The evening's performers spanned the spectrum of Spanish- and Portuguese-language music, and included Daddy Yankee, Miguel Bosé, Pepe Aguilar, Conjunto Primavera, Aleks Syntek, La Quinta Estación, Bimba Bosé, Calle 13, Intocable, Ivy Queen, La Quinta Estación, Orishas and Camila.
An early emotional show highlight came when Spanish singer Shalia Dúrcal, dressed in an elegant black gown, tenderly interpreted the classic heartbreaker "Amor Eterno," as images on a screen portrayed her as a young child with her late mother, the great ranchera singer Rocio Dúrcal. The audience was on its feet, singing along with her, and showed its approval with a long rousing round of applause at the end.
Rocio Dúrcal, who died in 2006, was considered one of Spain's most powerful singers. Because she collaborated often with singer/songwriter Juan Gabriel, Dúrcal also developed a major following in Mexico when fans loved to call her "the most Mexican Spanish singer."
Reggaetón king Daddy Yankee, dressed in a crisp beige suit, opened with a refreshing tap-dancing segment with four dancers before singing his you-dropped-me-but-I-got-a-new-love tune "Ella Me Levanto."
Ranchera singer Pepe Aguilar embraced a folk touch when he sang the ballad "Por Amarte," backed by a 12-piece mariachi troupe. Then he cranked up the excitement factor even higher when he surprised the audience with "100% Mexicano," backed by a 15-piece banda.
Later in the show, Aguilar provided a poignant moment when he accepted the Best Ranchero Album Latin GRAMMY for Enamorado. He thanked his backing group and said in Spanish, "From now on, this award and every award I get I will dedicate to my dad, who I adore."
His father, Antonio Aguilar, who died last June at 84,was one of the original charro cantors — singing cowboys — from Mexico's Golden Age of Cinema. Like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, Aguilar, and his peers Jorge Negrete and Pedro Infante, he appeared in dozens of classic films where he serenaded girls on horseback.
On the stage, Aguilar took a moment to recognize the changing economics of the music industry. "I want to make to all those millions watching us out there to note that no one in the world works for free. Everyone has to be remunerated," he said. "I ask you, with my heart in my hand, buy music, but legally."
Intocable, one of the hottest groups in the norteño/Tejano genre, showcased their softer side with the upbeat I'll-wait-for-you tune "Te Lo Juro," a performance that included a rare (at least for a norteño band) appearance by a pedal-steel guitar player. Lead singer Ricky Muñoz, dressed in a dark coat and blue jeans, gestured toward the fans as he detailed his song of faith and devotion.
Young Mexican pop/rock duo Jesse y Joy grabbed the Best New Artist award. "We want to thank God, our parents, without them of course, we would not be here," said Joy. "All our fans, who, thanks to them, this is possible."
The brother/sister duo's debut, Esta Es Mi Vida, was produced by Kiko Cibrian and sparkles with fresh, effervescent pop tunes, driven by Joy's emotive singing and the duo's vocal harmonies. Some of their crisp tunes like "Espacio Sideral," which they performed to the delight of the captive audience, blend pop, folk and blues.
Guerra, grateful and flush from a night full of wins, closed the show with a vibrant version of "La Traviesa," accompanied by percussionist Sheila E. Ablaze with color and infectious rhythms, the performance was a fitting finale to a night that toasted the finest in Latin music from across the world. |