Latin music has spawned quite a few superstars over the years, one of them being Luis Miguel. After getting his start at the age of 12 – way back in 1982 – Miguel has proceeded to become an internationally known and loved artist. In that time he has broken records with both his albums and tours.
It's never seemed to matter much what critics think of Miguel; fans can't get enough... especially those of the female variety. Sure, they like the music, but they like the man – and his good looks – even more. For better or worse, Miguel unabashedly follows the 'use 'em if you got 'em' mantra when it comes to his natural assets.
Some eight years ago, a Dallas critic noted of the live experience, “Dressed in a black suit and tie with his mane combed back, Miguel resembled a young Julio Iglesias, and the whole stage presentation was similar to seeing Iglesias on a TV variety show. ... the brightest thing on stage had to be Miguel's gleaming white smile -- and he knew it. ... Miguel ruled the stage like a game show host. If the audience members were contestants on the Luis Miguel game show, then they were all winners because the singer belted out every note with vigorous abandon.”
To prove he's nothing if not consisent, Miguel's Las Vegas concert earned these remarks from a reviewer five years later: “A Luis Miguel concert is about many things: tailored suits, sleek staging, confident vocals, glossy ballads and swooning female fans who toss occasional unmentionables from the crowd. But it's also, as has been the case since the start of Miguel's career, about control.
“...But the faithful legion of Miguel-maniacs probably didn't care. He has an almost cultish sway over some women, who swooned and screamed at every opportunity Sunday. They showered him with flowers and a stuffed teddy bear. Some reached out to touch his hand. Others sang along with almost every song. Even boyfriends knew the lyrics.”
His albums have received similarly mixed marks, signaling an inconsistency in quality from one album to the next. For instance, his Amarte Es un Placer in 1999 was criticized for being “mostly romantic, sometimes overblown ballads, including 'No Me Fio,' which harks back to 1980s power anthems.”
And, in 2006, his Navidades holiday set was met with this appraisal: “Luis Miguel can do whatever he wants. With a catalog of hits like his, a string of platinum records, and an unstoppable Billboard presence, anything with Miguel's name on it is guaranteed a certain level of success. ... Knowing that Miguel can do whatever he wants without fearing failure or criticism, the important question that remains for Navidades is: why?”
However, when he steps outside of the formula, Miguel is praised for his bold vision: “For someone who has made a name for himself singing ballads and Latin standards -- his Romances saga attests that much -- the brand of love Cómplices champions is the kind that can be sensual and torrid one moment, only to cheat and break hearts the next. Poetically, the material is flawless, even beautiful, but a deeper analysis sheds light on a far from perfect version of love.”
Regardless of what the pundits think, Luis Miguel fans will have a chance to form their own opinions as he hits the road again this year. The tour gets underway with Miguel in Miami on May 19 and 21. One more Florida performance has Miguel in Orlando on May 22.
The routing has him hopping to and fro across the country. After Florida, Miguel plays Rosemont, Ill. and Newark, NJ before scooting back down to Texas.
Once in the Lonestar State, Miguel hits Grand Prairie on June 1, followed by El Paso, Laredo, Hidalgo, San Antonio, and Houston. One little skip across the border takes Miguel to Albuquerque on June 5. Before wrapping up in Las Vegas, Miguel plays Universal City, Fresno, and Phoenix.