Ricky has their number

Martin wows Corel Centre

OTTAWA -- Yes, there is life after Livin' La Vida Loca for Ricky Martin.

 The Latin pop sensation proved last night at the Corel Centre that he is not just about sheer sex appeal, nor just about record sales based solely on one enormous English-language hit.

 Martin is about entertaining an adoring public with a first-class and style-to-the-fore production, mixing a little Las Vegas, a little Hollywood and a whole lot of, er, bon-bon shaking. And that's exactly what roughly 13,000 gushing fans came to see, screaming with child-like glee whenever said bon bon thrusted to and fro.

 Martin must love a big production. How else do you explain the seemingly over-the-top stage set of bright lights, video screens beaming with dazzling images of fire, water and human lifeforms galore, trapeze artistry, hydraulic platforms and a pair of conveyor belts which moved the leather-panted 28-year-old, eight scantily clad dancers and 12-piece band around a silver and chrome stage?

 Last night's fast-paced, 90-minute set began with a videotaped clip of Martin waking up, washing his face, racing out to his car, zooming through city streets like a Hollywood fugitive being chased, before the comes to a crashing halt. Suddenly, Martin appears perched atop that vintage '60s-something Mustang as it rose to the stage surface, launching into his most well-known hit "Livin' La Vida Loca."

 It was a daring move for the young Martin. Considering the crowd rose to the occasion with plenty of dancing and screaming (especially when Martin crooned in the second verse, "Woke up, here in OTTAWA ..."), what followed could have been the kiss of death for most performers.

 But Martin went that extra step where others of his ilk would have faltered. He came well-equipped with a decent batch of songs varied enough to appeal to more than your average Latin lovers.

 There was the brassy, Earth, Wind and Fire-like groove to "Bon Bon de Azucar." There was the sensual balladry of "Vuelve", "I Am Made of You" and "She's All I Ever Had" (featuring a barefoot Martin seated comfortably -- albeit alone -- on a white love seat).

 There was the call-and-answer party-hearty salsa of "Por Arriba, Por Abajo" and "Maria" (complete with exploding streamers to go with the "uno, doz, tres" chorus and crowd-cam shots of the audience).

 What more do you want?

 Oh yeah, and plenty of bon bon shaking during show-closer "The Cup of Life" and, what else, "Shake Your Bon Bon."

 Add to that Martin's percussive strengths (though his drummers and brass section literally stole the show), and you get a set with plenty of oomph to go along with the pizzazz.

 Sure, many might have overlooked that bit of blatant, unnecessary pre-show commercialism (don't be surprised if you start noticing plugs for Pepsi Ricky-ola, Eau de Martin Cologne or Air Ricky flying to, say, Martinique).

 However, Martin also left one strong message: "There's no joking around. Our mission is unite the Americas. Be in touch with your heart and soul. Are you ready for that?"

 Judging by the decibel-breaking screams -- including the gals who demanded to the Latin wunderkind, "Take your shirt off! -- I sense any arguing over the subject of what Martin achieved last night is moot.

 If you missed his show last night, fret not. You can gush over Ricky as he speaks one-on-one with Barbara Walters on a pre-Oscars special Sunday at 7 p.m. (He has nothing to do with the Oscars, really, but hey, would you turn down a chance to speak to Ricky Martin? Thought not).