Ricky Martin Friends & Family Concert - 2/8/07

Got a chance to see the Ricky Martin friends and family concert tonight. And no we didn't get in on our merit of Diaz Martin being his third cousin, we got in because we have friends in high places. Ha ha. Well, it's kind of true.

Ricky put on a pre-cursor show for friends and family to start off his 4 sold out concerts at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, which is one of the largest arenas in the world, and certainly one of the nicest (and newest). I think the Coliseo holds about 15,000 people. But tonight only about 1,000 people were in attendance. On the one hand you can't help but feel special, but on the other hand, there is nothing like being at a Ricky Martin concert with 15,000 people. I kind of missed the energy of that, but I certainly wasn't disappointed at being among the chosen few.

Ricky puts on a good show. In fact, in the few concerts I've seen at the Coliseo, I'd say he has put on the best show I've seen so far. He puts thought into his set. He breaks it up with different things - dancing, light shows, talking to the audience, switching up the stage, and let's not forget trying to raise the consciousness of the masses. Ricky is really a light being if you ask me. I felt lifted up after his concert (only to come crashing down after listening to voicemails). I could feel myself turning over new leaves as I sat, watched and listened to his concert. Really.

He had a lot of consciousness raising material on his gigantic screens. And it's pretty clear that he's on a spiritual journey and wants to share it with the masses. But it's not like he's selling flowers on the street corner or at the airport or anything, or showing up at your door with propaganda. He's just being genuinely Ricky. He's got a good vibe. There is no denying it. Me and Diaz Martin agree. He's the kind of guy that would be fun to hang out with once in awhile - or everyday. Ha ha.

He's in such darn good shape too. You can tell he does a lot of Capoeira, which makes me want to start up lessons right away. We have a customer who teaches it. Ricky is not only muscular but he is wickedly flexible, which is what I find appealing. It just looks fun to be that flexible. And you can almost drink in the life energy of his body just by watching him. Diaz Martin thinks Ricky needs electrolytes. He did have a couple moments where he looked pale from exertion. We wished we'd had some "Recharge" to give him.

I had two favorite moments during the concert. Actually, I probably had more, but in the interest of going to bed, I'll bring up just the two, and tell them to you in order of appearance...Ricky has this one song, the name of which escapes me, but to summarize the song, he sort of lists off his accomplishments, but is also saying that he is still searching, searching for something more, something deeper. One of the accomplishments in the song, which mind you must have been written long ago (and I think by Tommy Torres or by Juanes for Ricky), is that he has taken a photo with George Bush - or met him. And there might have been a time in Ricky's career when that was cool and/or when maybe the Universe didn't know what a chump Bush was/is/always has been/probably always will be...to cut to the chase though, when Ricky sang that line, he made a certain finger gesture (that shall remain nameless), and he got a lot of applause for it. That was favorite part number one. I personally gave him a good scream and some serious clapping for that. Sorry Bush lovers. I hope country western fans everywhere don't quit listening to Ricky now.

My last favorite moment (besides this whole Ricky/tattoo/naked/body/trippy/screen/thing that was done at one point during the concert) was when he brought Mari from Ciambao out for their duet on the verrrrrrrrry last song. I was waiting all night for that moment. And no one would give away the surprise and tell me if she was definitely going to be there or not. And she was! He came out with her for the encore. And it was perfecto! My only criticism was that I could not hear her as I would have liked to. She has a unique voice that is probably most beautiful because of its subtle nuances, and subtle nuances are hard to get across 1) in a big production, and 2) in Puerto Rico when people are screaming their brains out. And tonight was nothing. When she comes out on stage tomorrow, it's going to be un-real. People are going to go bananas. Or coconuts. There is nothing to compare to being loved by 15,000 Puerto Ricans. (Mari is from Spain).

This particular song of Ricky's with Mari might not be popular where you are, but it is all over the radio here. And it's a gorgeous song. There is nothing like a modern male/female duet. When I'm at the health food store, where Diaz Martin has been keeping the Ricky Martin MTV Unplugged cd held hostage, I can't help but play that song over and over and over again. It gives me the chills, veritable goosebumps if you will. It's reminiscent of the couple songs Nelly Furtado has done with the other Latin hearthrob Juanes. They are different songs, of course, but they are duets with exceptionally gifted singers, that make you want to eat them.

We had a great time, and were grateful to have had the opportunity to see Ricky in such a small group of people. It was nice. We'd definitely do it again. And if you haven't heard or seen Ricky's MTV Unplugged show, you should get it. It's actually apparent what a nice guy he is if you see it...and that he's trying to give back in life. And when you see that duet he does with Mari, you'll just fall in love. I wish I knew where they were staying so I could stalk them.