~by Dena Burroughs

TRIBUTE TO HECTOR LAVOE AT THE GREEK THEATER, LOS ANGELES, Sept 22, 2007

Mother Nature rained on L.A. all it could on Saturday, right up to the start of the Hector Lavoe Tribute concert at The Greek Theater, but according to Jose Rizo, the M.C. of the event, "El Todopoderoso" made it stop just in time so that we, Angelinos, could enjoy a show that doesn't happen often in our town.

The impressive line-up included Wichy Camacho (singer of Plena Libre,) Tito Rojas, Ismael Miranda, Cheo Feliciano, Victoria Sanabria, La India, Oscar D'Leon, Yomo Toro, and Willie Colon.  The band was led by Isidro Infante, with a group of very talented artists participating, such as Elias Lopez, Eliut Cintron, Angel Machado, and Darvel Garcia.

One at a time, each singer performed a set that ranged from fifteen minutes to a half hour.  Although not all of the songs performed were once sung by Hector, all of them were enjoyable, including those by Victoria Sanabria, a new name and a new face to most of us in attendance, who through her voice won us over.

This was one of those concerts that leaves us with snippets of memories that will last long:  the competing fantastic smiles of Ismael Miranda and Cheo Feliciano, the piercing notes of La India, the Energizer-Bunny quality of Oscar D'Leon, the seemingly synchronized up and down movement of four trombones led by Willie Colon, the priceless happy face of Yomo Toro, and the sight of all of them lined-up on stage at once, under a shower of lights and soap bubbles, singing together Lavoe's "Mi Gente." 

Undoubtedly, forever lasting memories for the six L.A. dancers who had the treat of dancing onstage throughout the evening:  Jose Valencia and Lisa, Rodrigo Guzman and Vai, and Abbie Escobar and Violeta Anderson.

The Greek Theater was 75% full.  Before and after the concert the walkways were a social buzz of hugs and hellos between people who may not  see each other often, but would not have missed this concert for anything.

For the old-timers of Salsa, this concert may be only a resemblance of what Salsa was like back when Lavoe himself was on stage.  For the Salseros of today, being at the Greek meant the pleasure and privilege of seeing in the flesh the owners of those voices that make us twirl every weekend (and weekday!) on the dance floor. 

For me... there was no other place to be.

Now, for the bochinche:  Oscar D'Leon spanked two of the dancers on the butt... can anyone say lawsuit?!?  Some drunk got up on stage during "Mi Gente" to kiss La India; by the time security shooed him away, La India was already making "yuck" faces.  The concert t-shirts were cool in the front, and misspelled in the back... ooops! 

Putting it all together for a tabulation: this concert was a success. 

And now, here's some of what I saw.  Each of the sets below is a slide.  Be patient and the picture will move on to a different one.

The start of the concert - the band, the dancers and Wichy Camacho

Tito Rojas - and dancers

Ismael Miranda - and Yomo Toro

Cheo Feliciano - and dancers

Victoria Sanabria

La India - Yomo Toro - The band - The dancers

Oscar D'Leon - the musicians - the dancers - the crowd

Willie Colon - The trombones

Everybody! - What a party!

OTHER REVIEWS OF THE CONCERT:

By the L.A. Times:  It's Lavoe's salsa, thought not quite his recipe

YOUR SIGNIFICANT REVIEWS - (hate messages are staying out though!) :D

 

"Bonitas fotos, Nice pictures!!!!

"I somewhat disagree with the glowing reviews, it was a good concert, but did not reach its potential. I found La India obnoxious and absolutely not a salsa singer. She has an opera background and anyone can hear it. She should be in the R&B genre, her improvs were R&B flavored and she should stick to that. The singers were overwhelmed by the rhythm sections on many occasions and those of us who wanted to hear vocal prowess were shortchanged. Yomo Toro could barely be heard. Overall I enjoyed the concert, but the urgency and angst of the Fanias was not there. Most people just aren't old enough to remember the original stuff, which was extremely intense! This show was Fania Light."

I think it was a very good concert because of the fact that one could listen to this music fist hand. We can never recreate the spirit of Hector, but to celebrate his music and style and his wonderful sense of humility and fun. Everybody had a great voice, although I agree with others that the band could have had more instruments. But it was adequate and it was great fun to see saw many stars in one stage. BRAVO!