One Second Thought.. Have you ever thought
you have nailed down an artists and dismissed them only to discover that
your original perception was wrong? That's what this series is all about,
a second look at artists that may have been written off in the past but
upon closer examination are worthy of attention!
Shakira Latin Diva Needs No Translator
January 18, 2003 United Center,
Chicago
By Adam Bielawski
 Lights
go out and the stage curtains remain closed as Chicagoans fill the United
Center screaming for Shakira to hit the stage. Two silhouettes are visible
playing guitar, one on the right, and one on the left from behind red-lit
curtains that stretch from the top of the United Center. A sold out, Chicago
show! Every available seated fan, male and female, already on their
feet as the music starts. The curtains open slowly, glowing red lights
shine, then a figure of a snake with sapphire eyes rises in the form of
a Cobra dead center on the stage. As this silver or golden metallic serpent
comes to full stance, the young singer/song writer of twenty-five (25)
emerges from underneath walkway or as if from the belly of the snake to
the front of the stage, as fans scream louder and louder fortunate to
have a ticket for Shakira on this cold Saturday night in Chicago. Not bad
for this Columbian Latin Diva in her first United States stadium tour set
to conquer the world in support of her English hit disc, "Laundry
Service" by Sony Music.
Mixture of Latin and Middle-Eastern influences was a taste to the introduction
of the concert that was about to last for 120 minutes. The first few minutes
on stage by Shakira were pure seduction as she played a belly dancer. Shaking
her hips in a dance seen by most in movies of Middle Eastern settings.
Exposing her belly in a teardrop-looking outfit to cover her top and black
leather pants. Fan or not, ones eyes were glued and targeted to the long
haired blond walking from end to end on the stage welcoming and greeting
her fans here in Chicago in the majority of Spanish sung songs such as
opener "Eyes Like Yours (Ojos Asi)".
 Much
of the 2 hours show was a mixture of Spanish and English verse to a diverse
ethnic background in Chicago. Theatrics such as canons firing confetti,
explosions, disco balls, wardroom changes and huge screens so know one
can miss one moment of Shakira presence to all of Chicago. Shakira held
the crowd and even showed off her musical talents by playing many of the
instruments that make up Shakiras background in the art as a singer and
songwriter. You can feel yourself mesmerizes by her charismatic voice and
the stage extravaganza that was presented. Every role-played was taken
in and held for remembrance of this night.
 To
get some hard rock and roll into the fans hearts, Shakira performed classics
of AC/DCs "Black and Black" and Aerosmiths rendition of "Dude, Looks Like
A Lady", chaos of lights paced on and off from white strobes lighting
up the stadium. Although much of the set was devoted to her Spanish songs,
a mix of English based pleased all. Her own songs, which matched the harder
edge performed were "Inevitable" which were very much welcomed.
 Between
song sets Shakira preached to everyone "love one another" and even asked
everyone to "take each others hands and tell them you love them". These
were the words spoken between ballads such as, "Rules" and "The One". Expressing
her concerns on global politics that "leaders are lacking love". Believing
that "LOVE" is the way and can conquer all the evils of our days and wars
can be avoided. Several love ballads played and everyone fully adored such
as "Underneath Your clothes" that took you into her so called endless story.
Shakira showed the lighter side of a party
girl in song as the old school Disco based such as "Ready for the Good
Times" from her new CD, that were complimented by the shining colors
of the disco ball. Bringing a very hearty party atmosphere for all this
night that music is for all to enjoy and have fun. This is one of those
songs that got everyone swinging back and forth and dancing with Shakira
herself.
I walked away knowing more of Shakira and her talents then all this past
year of seeing her on every media outlet of television and print. The past
months you could not miss Shakira on a cover of some fashion or music magazine
on the stands. Now I know why, this pop icon is on the top. She has taken
me and turned me into a fan. Shakira gave a superior performance this night
ending her explosive stage presence with "Objection [Tango]|" the first
track of her English Release "Laundry Service".
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Adam Bielawski is an iconoFAN
Contributor.
Photos
by Rob Grabowski
Copyright
2003 Rob Grabowski
All
Rights Reserved
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