Friday, Nov. 12, 1999 | 9:20 a.m.
Ricky Martin pulled out a move Thursday night that was something to behold.
He hopped onto a sidewalk escalator and started walking as the machine turned in the opposite direction. It was like George Jetson flopping while shouting, "Jane! Stop this crazy thing!"
But for Martin, it was just another floor prop. He rode it with one foot, spinning and shaking to the crowd.
It might be a fun thing to try the next time you're escorting friends through McCarran International Airport.
To the right, standing. To the left, Livin' La Vida Loca!
Rick the Quick pulled out all of his spine-tingling moves at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, many of which involved his always active posterior and all of which threw a charge into the near-capacity crowd.
It was the first of Martin's two shows at Mandalay Bay, the second of which begins tonight at 8. Or 9, if you want to actually be seated by the time Martin and his gang of boogiemeisters hit the stage.
It's an all-encompassing show Martin puts on, and never a bore. He sings and his band of musicians and dancers do just that -- play music and dance.
The band features a couple of drummers, a handful of guitarists and a few horns, all playing to a synchronized Latin dance beat.
Do they sound good?
Who cares?
They're audible.
Against a wave of shrieks from thousands of young women -- a cascade of shrills that has been compared to concerts by Hanson and 'N Sync, among others -- that is no small accomplishment.
The ever-gyrating Martin shouted out his biggest and most familiar hit, "Livin' La Vida Loca," at the very start. Which was good because that instantly put to rest the question, "When is he going to do 'Livin La Vida Loca'?"
What followed was a well-choreographed adrenaline rush, starring Rick the Quick's happy feet, sinewy spine and bobbing head. He was relentlessly energetic but hopelessly pre-programmed. Just when you thought Martin was going to really cut loose and sing something from one of his favorite artists growing up -- Journey, Boston, Cheap Trick, David Bowie, as examples -- he sank into loungespeak.
"Sometimes when I'm alone, I take a moment and I meditate."
Yep. That's what we're here for. Ricky Martin's meditation seminar.
Or, "I'm leaving my soul out here tonight."
Until Saturday night. Or Sunday, when Martin and the crew are in San Diego. His soul will be left in those places on those nights too.
Not that the guy doesn't have soul, but come on. Make an album about self-realization and introspection and do an all-acoustic tour. Maybe then we'll take that stuff seriously.
For now, give us the leather pants, satin shirts and flashing lights.
The one thing Martin can do is dance. There's a point in his show when he does the tired sing-a-long bit, asking each half of the audience to sing against one another. But instead of pointing the microphone out and listening, Martin spins around, bends over and wiggles his butt.
The screams are deafening. And Rick the Quick hears 'em all.
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