Medellin native Juanes rocks packed arena in Miami !!

Juanes rocks packed Arena

By Jordan Levin

jlevin at herald.com

In a heartfelt show for ecstatic fans, Juanes delivered on all the promise of his passionate songs and his many awards and hits and took a giant leap beyond. He proved himself the Latino equivalent of Bruce Springsteen or U2's Bono, an artist who channels people's feelings and energy through his music and unifies them in a giant moment of release.

When he sang his massive hit A Dios Le Pido (I'll Ask God), 12,000 people stood and sang along, ''I'll ask God that my soul doesn't weary of loving you when it's taken to heaven,'' arms waving all the way to the roof. At that moment it was much more than a pop song -- it was an anthem of hope and life that lifted people up and brought them together.

Wearing an emblem-covered black jacket and vest over a white shirt and black pants and punk-classic black sneakers, Juanes opened with the jangly, guitar-driven Sueños (Dreams), one of his many songs that challenge the violence in his native Colombia and the world. ''I dream of peace for my bleeding people ... of going to work and even more of coming home every night.'' Rock-cumbia bouncing, striding the stage, he seemed more confident performing than ever before.

Images of war and nature flickered on giant screens, but his band remains lean and tight; a drummer, percussionist, keyboard player, bassist and two guitarists, with masterful work from Fernando Tobon, Edge to Juanes' Bono, and the singer's own stellar guitar playing. Rock power was leavened with cumbia and Colombian folk's swing and sweetness.

But there was no star swagger from Juanes. Instead authority freed him to be more open and emotional. His voice is warmer, bigger, and more expressive. Nada (Nothing), used to be the bitter dirge of someone so wounded they could no longer feel anything; on Friday it was a yearning plea from a man who'd been hurt. His passion lifted songs that could be simplistic to a powerful dimension, whether on the Beatles-esque sweetness of No siento penas (I don't feel any pain), or the urgent call for peace in Que pasa?

Juanes' songs have particular meaning for his fellow Colombians, and there were plenty of his country's flags displayed in the audience. But the broader message of his music is universal: life and love are too precious to be wasted in violence or hypocrisy. It inspires Volverte a ver (To see you again), about Colombian soldiers longing for home, but it also gives us sex and humor and playfulness on songs like La camisa negra (The Black Shirt) or an exuberant cover of salsa singer Joe Arroyo's La noche. And while he may have been an object of desire for the thousands of screaming women there, one of the night's most moving songs was Tu Guardián, a lullaby for his daughter Luna.

That breadth is key to his charisma. Juanes' appeal comes from his humanity, and his connection to the audience. During Mala Gente, with the whole crowd singing, he slung his body back and his arms open, as if channeling their energy through his body and back to them. It was as good as pop music gets.

By ColombianoX on Mar 12, 2005, 14:20 in Friendly Talkzone.

santiBOG says on Mar 12, 2005, 14:36:

Is this journalist on drugs??

"the Latino equivalent of Bruce Springsteen or U2's Bono". Ohhhh my God!

Not to demean Juanes in any way; I don't particularly enjoy his music but I respect him a lot. But to compare him to rock legends like Springsteen and the great Bono is more than a stretch.

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kernow62 says on Mar 12, 2005, 14:44:

Bruce Springsteen a legend? Bob Dylan is a legend, Mick Jagger is a legend, David Bowie is a legend, guys that have been around since the early 1960s and are still rockin' these are legends.

I don't care for Juanes either, but if he brings more positive attention to Colombia he has my utmost respect.

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ColombianoX says on Mar 12, 2005, 14:48:

No santiBOG, I think maybe it santiBOG,

Qué bonito venir aquí a este foro a pordebajear de esa manera a un colombiano que sobresale.

I hope you're proud of yourself!

ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Lionheart says on Mar 12, 2005, 15:17:

I agree kernow62 It has gotten very quiet around Bruce, not legend matierial at all - so is the same predicted for Juanes? Only time will tell, let's compare notes in 30-40 years.

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Malito71 says on Mar 12, 2005, 15:32:

I agee with ColombianoX Juanes was amazing last night. I think Juanes, if not already a legend, will become one. Even though he only sings in Spanish I think he has cross over apeal. My spanish is awful but I still enjoy his music and last nights performance was one of the best concerts I have been to. The pride that Colombians (my Paisa wife included) have for him is very uplifting.

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santiBOG says on Mar 12, 2005, 15:34:

I don't know... ColX, this is the Friendly Talkzone, you're supposed to write in English. And excuuuuuuse me for having an opinion.

Kernow and Lionheart: "Bruce Springsteen a legend?" I don't know. Fact is he was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 1999. Coincidentally, Bono was his presenter during the ceremony. But regardless, the point is that it's a stretch to say that Juanes is the equivalent of The Boss and Bono. Juanes is without question a force in latin pop music with many achievements and commercial success to show. The latin equivalent of 2 of Rock's biggest names in the last 20-30 years? I don't know about that.

I do agree that Juanes is definitely a force and I am glad that he gets as much 'positive' attention for our country. I like his simplicity and he seems to be a true gentleman and very down to earth.

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Lionheart says on Mar 12, 2005, 15:48:

not putting Juanes down Juanes has great potential, I hope he will leave his mark in music history. Too many who have come to fame falter then.

Many musicians/bands are inducted to the Hall of Fame, I think many recommendations are based on their previous sales plus if they have been active for at keast 25 years. It takes more than over 50% of a 1000 ballots by insiders to create a legend. I do believe The Boss left his mark in the USA though. He has earned his induction. Similar to the Oscars, how many "non-English singing" musicians have been inducted so far?

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Mr. Hollywood says on Mar 12, 2005, 17:21:

The curse of music reviewers The absolute curse of music and concert reviewers is the irresistable urge to compare every band to U2, Springsteen and Dylan. It simply shows a lack of writing ability to describe these people on their own terms. And nobody, not even Dylan, wants to be thought of as a "legend".

Juanes is great but he hasn't proved his staying power or influence on other musicians in the way all three of the before-mentioned bands have. I hope he does, though.

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babygirl says on Mar 12, 2005, 17:23:

Love his music, it's too bad I don't understand the words yet though but I rarely pay attention to song lyrics these day because most are ridiculous. Sounds like it would have been a very cool concert, he has a lot of energy in his music that would be great live. I fell in Love with his guitar! I bought some bootleg cd's of his when I was in Colombia but they're not great quality. I'd like to buy some real copies this time, can anybody make any recommendations?

cheers - babygirl

cheers - babygirl

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dwmte says on Mar 13, 2005, 07:26:

colombiano... common, man...i've been waiting since your original post on juanes to hear YOUR take on the concert...soooooo

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ColombianoX says on Mar 13, 2005, 07:40:

dw,

Sorry, but I wasn't able to go.

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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dwmte says on Mar 13, 2005, 10:24:

shit, man,..... what do i say to that?

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Alejita829 says on Mar 13, 2005, 12:37:

I think the concert was great. Juanes performance was excellent...This is a Colombian that came to LA and was singing in the street a couple of years ago....look at him now....The AAA was packed.....More power to u Juanes!!! We love u, and love what u represent...otro Colombiano hechado para adelante!!

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dwmte says on Mar 13, 2005, 12:44:

i'm glad to hear that... for juanes, colombia and medellin

colombiano...did you hear that...you're off the hook.

really, brother, sorry you didn't get to go to the concert. me neither. peace

dw

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