Thursday, January 15, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Stage: Sleeper hit

By Barbara Scherzer

Philippine superstar Martin Nievera has a two-decade career as a recording artist and is internationally renowned for his super-sized live concerts. Yet, in this country he can walk the streets without worry; no one knows his face. Nievera, 41, is hoping to change all that with his recent return to the Golden Nugget, where he briefly performed last year.

Backed by a 10-piece band, Nievera performs songs from Las Vegas' vintage era and pays tribute to swinging singers such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Tony Bennett. He presents a varied musical show that touches on most musical genres.

His Sinatra medley that includes "I've Got You Under My Skin," "It's Witchcraft" and, of course, "My Way," is well-executed. But his Broadway mélange featuring selections from West Side Story and Phantom of the Opera surprisingly hits home as well.

Between musical numbers, the easy-on-the-eyes pop singer transforms himself into a seasoned comic who tells humorous stories about his life or zings his ex-wife Pops. Although not a celebrity impersonator, Nievera can barely resist giving us his take on Johnny Mathis as he croons in his dead-on velvety voice the Jamaican hit of a few years back, "Who Let the Dogs Out?"

Lead singer Jenevi Bak is sultry as she delivers the Peggy Lee tune "Fever," and she possesses good onstage chemistry with Nievera as they sing and samba to "Sway." Percussionist Tony Davich is also terrific in his own pipe exercise, "At Last."

This 80-minute show is highly interactive. The tireless Nievera makes frequent forays into the audience to cajole guests into singing or clapping along. But he raises the roof with his hot rendition of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," during which dozens of concertgoers are galvanized into swaying to his beat while still planted in their seats.

Designed specifically for a Las Vegas audience, the show eschews most of Nievera's self-penned hits. Yet his heart-wrenching delivery of the tune "Even for Just a Moment" in the original Philippine (Tagalog) language transmits his palpable pain at love lost. One wishes for more of these kinds of songs. And moments.

Martin Nievera has it all--the looks, the voice and the charm. By trimming some of his cover songs and injecting a few more meaningful tunes and stories, Nievera might become the next best bet for headliner status on the Strip.
Martin Nievera

Through Feb. 29

Wed.-Sun., 7:30 p.m.

Golden Nugget; 129 Fremont St.

$45; 385-7111