Audiences are still swooning for Iglesias

Joe Delaney

Friday, Oct. 19, 2001 | 9:08 a.m.

Julio Iglesias's world tour is ensconced at Paris Las Vegas through Sunday. Iglesias' record and album sales were already in the top five internationally by the time he came to Las Vegas in the late '80s. Those first Caesars Palace engagements were attended by an audience that was at least 90-percent Hispanic. Today the ratio is nearly reversed.

The response of the females in the audience is just as strong today. The capacious Le Theatre des Arts was completely full at the show caught earlier this week.

John Joseph headlines several times a year in the Tropicana's Comedy Stop when he is not on the road with Igesias (this is his eighth year). Joseph is a personable New Yorker with just enough of an edge, plus a confidence and a delivery that makes him more than a comedic warm-up. He traverses familiar terrain -- love, marriage and sex -- then picks up a guitar for some satirical songs and very brief takeoffs on various song stylists, including a deadly Bob Dylan. He does his job well, setting up Iglesias' entrance.

Iglesias was greeted with a heavy round of applause. His backup musicians are outstanding players. Unfortunately, the extra echo on Iglesias' voice muffled his first-name-only introductions of his band members. The keyboard player was obviously the musical director, there was one man doubling on flute and reeds, plus a four-man rhythm section.

In addition, there was Vicki (again, no last name) who scored heavily in a duet with Iglesias on "All Of You," a show stopper. In addition there were three females singing backup in basic black gowns, a marvel of unison undulation, maintaining a flowing motion throughout.

Iglesias, a big fan of the tango, featured a duo that nearly set off a fire alarm with three torrid dance numbers. Always in complete command, he very graciously allowed each of the performers full measure.

"Crazy," "Let It Be Me," "Can't Help Falling in Love with You," "Fragile," and "To All the Girls I've Loved Before" made up the English-language portion, along with the aforementioned duet, plus another duet with one of the three backup singers on "When You Tell Me You Love Me."

The balance of the program was in Spanish, with rhythms that had the whole theater rocking.

Iglesias is a warm performer who has created a highly original sound, one that evokes primal responses from females of all ages and ethnic groups. It might be even more effective with just a touch less echo, making the softer phrases more easily understood. Still, he wears well.