Ricky Martin – Live Black & White Tour (2007/Sony Music Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B     Sound: B     Extras: C     Concert: C+

 

Except for Livin la Vida Loca, what happened to Ricky Martin’s career after he brought the house down at the Grammy Awards as a new wave of Latino Music would finally conquer the U.S. market?  Was the other music that poor?  Was he the wrong guess or choice for its male ambassador?  Was he badly marketed?  Was the wave overrated?  Did Jennifer Lopez’s media frenzy kill the movement and help to bury artists like him?  It is hard to say, but this did not stop Martin form having more album and concert success, with undeniable commercial success coming from a loyal audience.  A great example of these fans can be found with the Live Black & White Tour concert now on Blu-ray.

 

As if to show he is more than just a one-hit wonder who can stay in shape and dance, this is not just a concert, but an elaborate sow that includes many dancers and other performers, while still showing off his ambitious, energetic band and giving his all.  The show is set up as follows:

 

ACT 1/TRIBAL (or AFRIKANISM)

Pegate/Raza de Mil Colores/Por Arriba, Por Abajo (Medley)
This is Good
Indonesian transition
Jaleo
I Don't Care/Maria (mix with Hindu Dance Outro Music)

 

ACT 2/ACOUSTIC

Vuelve
Gracias Por Pensar En Mi
Fuego De Noche, Nieve De Dia
She's All I Ever Had

 

ACT 3/ROCKER

Revolucion
It's Alright
Livin la Vida Loca
Somos La Semilla
I Am Made of You
Asignatura Pendiente

 

ACT 4/RAVE

I Am
Drop It On Me

ENCORE

Tal Vez
Tu Recuerdo (w/ La Mari of Chambao)

 

 

Martin can carry the show and is actually at his best singing in Spanish, becoming more than just the next Tom Jones or the like.  I admit that I am no fan, but I do think he is not always given the credit he deserves for how good he really is.  It is not easy these days to be a success without songs about annihilation and stupidity, so his career on that level is more amazing than it might first seem.  Fans will like this, but for those who are not, it is worth a look just to see he is more than a hit record that has become fodder for pop trivialization or a punch line.

 

The 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image is flatter than expected overall, despite some great shots of the obviously expensive production and some great lighting/color that manages to come through the taping.  I was a bit disappointed and since so much is going on, it is a shame the HD is not more detailed.  The PCM 48/24 5.1 and 2.0 mixes are better than the Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps) mix for older systems, the sound seems like it was not conceived for multi-channel, made most obvious when Martin sings.  Still, it is one of the best presentations of his work you can buy, but there is room for improvement the next time he does a HD presentation.  Extras include a behind the scenes featurette and screensavers.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo