Fernandez’s Magic Lights Up Memorable Palenque Festival

“Have you had your fill yet?” asked ranchera king Vicente Fernandez well into the fourth hour of Palenque Musical 2001, an excellent festival of Mexican music organized by radio station KSCA-FM (101.9) on Saturday at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim.

And when the capacity audience stood up begging for another serving of Fernandez’s classics, the singer smiled proudly and told his mariachi band: “Let’s continue, muchachos.”

Known for basing the number of songs he performs at a particular concert on the price of admission to ensure the best possible value per tune, Fernandez did not allow the presence of two other acts on the bill--norten~o group Los Tucanes de Tijuana and notable singer-songwriter Joan Sebastian--to alter the ritualistic length of his marathon performance.

Fernandez’s annual weekend at the Universal Amphitheatre is always a joy. At the Pond, however, there was an extra touch of magic in the air, a deep feeling of emotional connection between the singer and his adoring audience that made for an unforgettable evening.

Think of Fernandez as the last of the greats, the only living ranchera singer who easily stands on the level of a Pedro Infante or a Javier Solis, equally comfortable delivering the rousing standards “El Rey” and “Guadalajara” and tender boleros such as “Lastima Que Seas Ajena.”

More than his vocal prowess, it is his passionate love for the music of his land that makes him such a compelling figure. When the strains of a new tune would fill the air, Fernandez would contort his body, extend his arms in a gesture of triumph, fists tight and eyes closed, beaming a smile of pride.

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Fernandez invited Joan Sebastian on stage to sing with him on a couple of numbers, including the classic “No Volvere.” Sebastian’s set was a lushly orchestrated collection of romantic tunes, some in a more traditional vein, others bearing the sticky imprint of contemporary Latin pop idioms.

Los Tucanes de Tijuana also oscillated between the old and the new in its opening set, alternating between glorious corridos such as “Mis Tres Viejas” and palatable, dance-friendly pop such as “Me Gusta Vivir de Noche.”

Los Tucanes’ records are always a lot of fun, but the music shines the most on stage, with the gargantuan bass lines pushed to the front of the mix and the thumping drum rolls sounding alternately mocking and menacing. Add the bluesy accordion outbursts and a deliciously dark sense of humor in the lyrics and you have one of the best norten~o groups this side of Los Tigres del Norte.