| Fans of Latino gusset-dampener Ricky Martin will need no encouragement to buy One Night Only other than knowing it exists, so it?s commendable to see that what they will get is a pretty good package after all. On the down side, without the kind of slick studio production accorded to his albums it?s clear that Martin?s voice is, well, rather ordinary. But on the up side, he?s beautiful, he?s great fun, he?s not short on stage presence and his enthusiasm for the Latin music of his native Puerto Rico is entirely genuine (one of the brief reportage snippets scattered throughout this release shows him playing with a samba band--and getting it right, too). There?s a spooky moment in the opening number of this huge gig (which took place in Liberty State Park in New York) as the backdrop artfully falls to reveal the twin towers of the World Trade Center framing Martin like Samson?s pillars. Once this frisson passes it?s good times all the way, with the inevitable "Vida Loca" and "La Copa De La Vida" as highlights. There are guest spots from Carlos Santana and Jose Feliciano. On the DVD: One Night Only comes with a 4:3 ratio picture and includes an excellent video of the already excellent "Shake Your Bon-Bon", plus a gallery of still photos. --Roger Thomas |
