Humperdinck (and family) pleases fans at LV Hilton

Joe Delaney

Friday, July 14, 2000 | 9:21 a.m.

Engelbert Humperdinck, his daughter, Louise, and son, Bradley, makes it a warm, family affair through Sunday in the Las Vegas Hilton showroom.

The Humperdinck Fan Club regulars, who will catch each performance, gave it a "homecoming" feel. Clad in Johnny Cash black, complete with a long coat, the romantic balladeer was greeted with a standing ovation led by the regulars. Admittedly a little nervous at the start, he settled in early.

The musical ensemble is first-class, led by conductor-pianist Eddie Tobin and featuring Mitch Riley on saxophone and guitar. It is the standard contemporary lineup with lead guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums and percussion in addition to Tobin and Riley. A plus are the two blond backup singers. Each member gets to shine during "Great Balls of Fire," midway in the too-long, 105-minute program.

"A Day Without You" opens, followed by "The Way It Used to Be" and some chat about being good to be back, especially at the Hilton, and good news about an album, which is in the top 10 throughout Europe, to be released in the U.S. shortly. The show could have done with fewer album and new-release plugs.

"I Love You Still" was a bravura reading as was "Lonely Is a Man Without Love." "Just Want to Dance the Night Away," uptempo, is new. "Spanish Eyes" was the first of a number of high spots. This led into a short but very funny rap spoof and some rock 'n' roll with "Nothing a Little Love Can't Cure." An impromptu Tom Jones carbon was a near-classic.

What followed was a mixture of vintage and new, including another high spot with "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing." The impressions section included Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin and a Sammy Davis Jr. look plus an extended Elvis impression, first as a satire, then serious. This led into "Great Balls Of Fire," then two songs by his daughter and one by his son, each nicely done.

Humperdinck said he is proud to be their father, a nice moment. "After the Loving," "Shadow of Your Smile," "How to Win Your Love" and "Don't Let Me Know," both new, "The Last Waltz" and "Please Release Me" concluded the performance for a unanimous standing ovation plus cries for "more." Missed was his Julio Iglesias impression.