Crowd-Pleasing Solis Offers Some Surprises

Singer-songwriter Marco Antonio Solis has engineered a hugely successful career by carefully tiptoeing the line that separates sentimental mush from inspired romanticism.

Like a consummate magician who pulls a series of fuzzy white rabbits out of the same old hat, the Mexican pop icon embellishes his earnest lyrics of love and suffering with seductive hooks, as enigmatic as they are addictive.

On Saturday at the Universal Amphitheatre, Solis’ approach was exemplified with “Amor en Silencio,” one of the best tracks from his latest album, “Trozos de mi Alma.” The song’s lush orchestral intro leads you into an epic chorus of devastating power.

Solis’ success is based on the purity of his vision, but his basic outlook can also be deceiving. Saturday, songs were unexpectedly enriched by jazz-flavored piano harmonies or the singer’s own occasional timbale solos.

Sporting his trademark long dark hair, and dressed in a shiny gray suit and a white tie, Solis referred to his audience as hermanos (brothers and sisters) and hugged the many children who walked on stage, roses in hand, to receive a personal blessing from their idol.

Opening act Angelica Vale surprised the crowd with her skillful impersonations of Latin divas, including Lucero, Thalia and her own mother, Angelica Maria. Her imitation of young rocker Shakira was eerily effective--and hilarious, demonstrating this is a performer worth watching for in the future.