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-- David Malitz
Oscar D'Leon
Salsa singer Oscar D'Leon, who is 63, added state-of-the-art reggaeton beats on his "Fuzionando" CD last year. But Friday night at H2O, he and his 11-piece band stuck with his classic repertoire in a set that still felt vital. The Venezuelan-born D'Leon wowed the crowd with his charisma, vocal skills and unceasing exuberance, while his ensemble displayed power and subtlety.
The show started at 1:20 a.m., and D'Leon seemed eager to jam in as many songs as possible, directing his band to begin each song immediately after the prior number ended. This approach did not feel rushed, since a number of the tunes featured the Lion of Salsa engaged in the standard Latin American practice of saluting the homelands of audience members. D'Leon made this ritual seem natural, beaming joyfully and gesturing to his enraptured fans while strutting through speedy salsa dance steps. You would never know this guy had a heart attack nearly four years ago.
D'Leon's singing style is rooted in the dramatic feel of 1950s Cuban vocalists, and the more earthy techniques of 1970s New York-based Puerto Rican soneros. He forcefully sang such upbeat numbers as his major hit "Lloraras," while crooning ballads like "Sientate Ahi."
His musicians were alternately dominant and gentle, depending on the needs of the song. The timbales, bongo, conga and cowbell players kept the clave rhythm going, the keyboard and keytar provided some melody, and the three trombones and two trumpets entered in and out with precision, adding lush or sharp-toned interjections. At 3 a.m., the show came to a sudden end as H2O's house lights and recorded music came on, leaving a sweating D'Leon shrugging his shoulders and reluctantly stepping off the stage.
-- Steve Kiviat
