“Vamos al Noa Noa!!!”
Alberto Aguilera Valadez has resuscitated in a similar way not seen since the time of Lazarus. The proud son of Cd. Juárez made his triumphant return to Denver after canceling his initial visit earlier this year in May due to a health condition that rendered the legendary performer bedridden for several months. Several pounds lighter and and countless days rehabilitating his tattered health, Juan Gabriel appeared in resilient fighting weight to take on the monumental three hour set that developed into a comprehensive catalog churning performance that involved around forty performers ranging from mariachis, backup singers and pianist.
“Juanga” appeared to have borrowed an outfit from Liberace’s closet with a sparkly gold ensemble that blinded the heavily crowded Pepsi Center with his delicate touch. The prolific singer/songwriter jumpstarted the predominantly Mexican crowd with a ranchero tinged take on the usually poppy, “Tus Ojos” that initiated a potpourri of hits that blended into a roaring take of “Siempre en mi Mente” that fully displayed Gabriel with a recharged battery.
The ode to Juanga’s native land, “ Que Lindó es Michoacán,” stirred a strong sense of Mexican pride that saw many of the “vaqueros” in the crowd to gleefully wave their “sombreros” in perfect harmony with the gorgeously arranged slideshow that conjured up memories of the motherland left behind.
The evening truly captured the magic of Juan Gabriel with a wholehearted audience participation of “La Farsante” that saw the crowd shouting expletives in a playful manner to fully depict the effectiveness of the hate mongering ode to deceptive partners everywhere with a mariachi backdrop. “Amor Eterno” effectively conveyed a stunning serenade to Gabriel’s mother that had a tremendous influence on the life of the brilliant “Divo.”
Each track lead up to an eruption from all musicians on stage with the classic “El Noa Noa” that best resembled a “Sabado Gigante” variety show theme where mariachis were playing the limbo and displaying their best dance moves. Juan Gabriel used these down times to rest and partake of several goblets of booze while sashaying from stage right to left to the adoration of fans throughout the arena. Fans might not get many more chances to catch the aging superstar touring; those that attended were treated to an incendiary experience that won’t be forgotten.