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Tuesday, March 26, 2002

By John Young

One moment captured the essence of Enrique Iglesias during his Benedum Center concert last night.

The chorus of his hit "Be With You" blaring, Iglesias stretched out his well-defined arms toward the audience. Sweat trickled out from under his trademark knit ski cap. The pop star smiled as white confetti exploded from both sides of the stage.

Iglesias didn't sing a note, dance a step or strum a chord during the final moments of the song. He just posed. And his fans loved it.

When it comes to filling out T-shirts and snakeskin print pants or growing close-trimmed facial hair, Iglesias reigns supreme. His skills as a musician and performer, however, are less impressive.

Luckily, his audience asked Iglesias to do little more than look good while crooning hits from his two English language albums. Iglesias didn't disappoint, leading his 10-piece band through a deliberate "Bailamos," its sound-alike "Rhythm Divine" and the new single "Escape" during a 65-minute set.

Iglesias also delved into his catalog of earlier songs. Singing a medley of Spanish tunes like "Esperanza," Iglesias' voice gained a bit more body. On recent pieces like "Don't Turn Out the Lights," though, Iglesias sang with an affected-sounding, thin, buzzing tone. His take on Steve Miller's "The Joker" was downright comical, Iglesias lazing through the lyrics like he was fronting a cover band at a friend's backyard barbecue.

On the occasions when Iglesias added some personality to his show, the proceedings were considerably more interesting. During "Could I Have This Kiss Forever," Iglesias engaged in extended simulated foreplay with his dueting backup singer. All the while members of the crowd jealously shrieked.

One black dress-clad blonde from the crowd also got to be the envy of the Iglesias audience. Identifying herself to Enrique as Melissa, the 22-year-old fan got to be Iglesias' "girlfriend" for the four-minute duration of his hit ballad "Hero." Iglesias' flirting was funny, but Melissa's attempts to grab a firm hold on any available part of the singer's body were funnier.

Early in the evening there was some doubt as to whether the concert would be happening at all. The announced start time was 7:30, but Iglesias didn't hit the stage until 8:35. He later thanked fans at his first Pittsburgh show for being "patient and kind," blaming a delayed flight for the late start.

Later in that same monologue, Iglesias revealed that music "is the only thing [he's] consistent at that makes [him] happy."

His music might consist of sing-song pop and arena rock retreads, and his show might be more of a runway exercise than a bona fide concert, but Iglesias has followed his bliss into very lucrative territory. Sounding good, but looking great, Iglesias posed just long enough to please the faithful.

John Young is a free-lance music reviewer.