Gloria Estefan at Liverpool Summer Pops

Jul 30 2009 by Kevin Hughes, Flintshire Chronicle

Like a fine wine, Gloria Estefan’s voice has developed and matured with age.

Performing at the Liverpool Echo Arena Summer Pops stage this week, she left her army of adoring fans in no doubt that the Queen of Latin pop still reigns supreme.

Taking to the stage for a punishing two-and-a-half hour set she, along with her multi-talented band, gave fans the full Estefan repertoire.

Rolling back the years she belted out Rhythm is Gonna Get You, Get on Your Feet and 1,2,3 effortlessly gliding about the stage and holding the audience in the palm of her hand.

Gone are the leather chaps worn over skin tight jeans and the micro mini skirts of the 70s and 80s that had male fans swooning over her sultry Latin American looks.

She took to the stage dressed in a bright red, full Cuban skirt and matching blouse, looking nothing like her 51 years.

With energy to spare she was still able to show her young dancers a tango move or two.

She quietened things down playing acoustic guitar for a tribute song to Michael Jackson before telling the appreciative audience how she loved Ferry Across the Mersey when she was a youngster growing up in Florida, her parents having escaped Cuba during the revolution.

Whether that was true or was down to the fact Gerry Marsden, of Gerry and the Pacemakers fame, was in the audience didn’t matter, she still told a clearly embarrassed Marsden, blinded by a spotlight, that she was honoured by his presence.

Estefan clearly loves engaging her audience although her failure to understand the term “Scouser” had the crowd in collective hoots of laughter.

Then it was back to the high octane numbers and a few of her Spanish classics including Oye mi Canto (Hear my Voice) and Mi Tierra (My Homeland).

She then welcomed her 15-year-old daughter Emily, dressed in jeans, a T-shirt and loafers, on stage and proudly declared her by far the best musician in the Estefan household.

Emily strapped on an electric guitar and, while her mother departed for a costume change, she delivered a seriously good lead guitar version of Play that Funky Music along with the rest of the band.

And, to prove her musical ability isn’t confined to guitar, she then took to the drum kit to deliver a perfectly acceptable drum solo that would have won her a place in many a rock band line-up.

With a shrug of her shoulders Emily was off and her mother was back for a finale of toe-tapping Cuban and Latin American contemporary and classic songs all delivered in that warm Estefan style.

The crowd clearly loved it and, a constant stream of fans, both male and female, but mostly male, reached over the barriers to present her with bunches of flowers, neatly gift-wrapped presents and even a huge Cuban flag which she proudly draped over her shoulders.

This was one of the best gigs the Liverpool Echo Arena has had and will see for a long time and we can only hope Estefan will return to Liverpool again.

It’s a shame, however, that the concert had to be on a Monday evening as that clearly had an effect on ticket sales.

Estefan deserved more and the Echo Arena, which has quickly established itself as a premier venue to rival Manchester’s MEN Arena, should be packed to the rafters for shows like this.

The Echo Arena is a wonderful venue with great acoustics, seating and it’s in a fantastic waterfront location.

However, where it beats other venues is the quality of its staff.

Here, whether it’s a sold out gig or not, you’re greeted with a smile and a welcome that you could only get in Liverpool.

And it’s clear Gloria Estefan, the Cuban Queen, felt that same warmth and loved it too.

Hurry back Gloria.