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Marc Anthony

​Marc Anthony
Saturday, October 24, 2009
American Airlines Arena, Miami

Melodramatic Latin tenor extraordinaire Marc Anthony was personally handed the keys to Dwyane Wade's house Saturday night. Wade, NBA star player of the Miami Heat, surprised Anthony on stage midway through the the singer/songwriter's performance to make sure he would feel right at home.

"You know Marc this is usually my house," said Wade. "Tonight though mi casa, tu casa."

Anthony didn't disappoint his 20,000 guests for the evening, offering another of his trademark fully-charged and emotional acts for a standing-room only crowd at the American Airlines Arena. Although the host for the night didn't show up until 9:20 p.m. he more than made up for his late arrival by delivering a well-balanced show that had everybody dancing in the aisles and Anthony interacting with all sides of the arena for close to two hours.

While his over-the-top facial expressions and stage act at times extend beyond the norm its all easy to ignore when the author is one of the most skilled vocalists and performers of all time. Backed by a full ensemble, including a full horn section, timbales, congas and bongos, Anthony took over the stage, entertaining the audience with gymnast-like moves while directing the band. He occasionally waved his arms to instruct others to turn it up or end a song.

His powerful and seductive voice, the reason why most of the females in attendance squealed as soon as he sang his first note, made for explosive renditions of crowd-favorites of "Tu Amor Me Hace Bien," "Te Conozco Bien" and "Hasta Ayer" as Anthony routinely slashed through instrumental solos by extending lyrics with his piercing voice.

In a cream suit and baby blue dress shirt, Anthony was at his best during a superb and rapid-fire take of "Hasta Que Te Conoci," his 1993 danceable remake of Mexican crooner Juan Gabriel's soothing ballad. Anthony grabbed at his clothes, posed with hand on hip, just like Gabriel, and switched from ballad to full-blown salsa number with ease. He offered the whole package as the audience soaked it all up. He bounced around the stage and kept close tabs on the band while never missing a beat.

Anthony also looked comfortable dishing out Hector Lavoe's classic "Mi Gente," the same number Anthony retouched for inclusion in the soundtrack of the 2007 biopic El Cantante about the famed Fania member.

He was joined by wife Jennifer Lopez for "No Me Ames," which was uninspiring except for the latter's slow and sensual shake of her most prized physical attribute.

Anthony made it through the entire concert without shoes, but chances are he would have had plenty of volunteers ready to clean his feet if he so required it.

-- Fernando Ruano Jr.