Fernandez and Son a Dynamic Duo

The danger of doing a father and son act lurks in the inevitable side-by-side comparison such a show invites. The audience is bound to size up the chip and the old block: Can the kid measure up? Does the old man still have it?

And so it was Friday during the spirited marathon of a concert by Vicente Fernandez, at 61 still the unrivaled master of the mariachi, and his 30-year-old son, Alejandro, a successful singer in his own right. A key test came toward the middle of the nearly four-hour show, the first of five nights at the Universal Amphitheatre, when Fernandez Sr. showed off his gargantuan pipes, still as forceful and fiery as a Mexican volcano.

As he’s been doing since he was his son’s age, the elder Fernandez drew cheers when he dropped the microphone and projected his unaided voice to the rafters. One excitable fan even jumped out in the aisle and shouted wildly while “Chente” still held the unamplified note.

“Yeah, baby!” screamed the fan in English, sounding like a Latino Austin Powers. “Nobody can do that. Alejandro cannot do that! That’s a man right there! Yeah, baby!”

In the macho world of Mexican country music, displays of vocal prowess obviously count. And in a culture where fathers demand respect, sustaining such powers despite advancing years means authority stays where it belongs, and the king keeps his crown.

So for a son following in his father’s footsteps, there’s no shame in falling short of el viejo’s lofty standards. In fact, there’s honor in just holding your own. And that’s what Alejandro did in his first live concert with his father in more than six years.

The youngest of Vicente’s three sons has virtues his father never had--matinee-idol looks and a physique that drives the women wild. The young stud showed off his assets in a tight, hip-hugging charro outfit of rich blue leather, certainly not tailored for rodeo tricks. Alejandro milks the sex appeal too obviously at times, wiggling his pelvis in ways no self-respecting mariachi should. But Dad just egged him on, sparking a chorus of screams by asking at one point, “Donde estan las nueras? (Where are all my daughters-in-law?)”

Since his recording debut 10 years ago, Alejandro has developed a refined and urbane style, with a honeyed voice conveying all the warmth and intimacy of a Spanish guitar. On Friday, though, his weaknesses were highlighted while alternating solo sets and duets with Dad until midnight, backed by three dozen musicians. Alejandro’s voice seemed thinner than on record, and when his father swaggered on stage, he seemed suddenly small and boyish, though he’s taller.

Vicente’s style bursts with bravado, but he makes even small gestures dramatic; wiping sweat from his brow or sipping cognac all seem magnified by the master. Meanwhile, Alejandro is just sipping and sweating. The son occasionally had to exhort the crowd to respond; the father just soaked up the spontaneous cheers with a satisfied grin.

All comparisons vanished, though, during the tender duets closing the concert, featuring more than 50 songs. Father and son, who hugged or kissed after almost every number, seemed genuinely close as they harmonized, heads together, or admired each other from a stool on stage.

And when Alejandro finally tried his father’s trick, dropping the microphone to test his voice before the capacity crowd, that excited fan was finally impressed. “Did you see that?” said the armchair critic who had been loudly knocking Alejandro all night. “He did it too!”

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Vicente Fernandez and Alejandro Fernandez play Saturday and Sunday at Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 8:15 p.m. $99 to $139. (818) 622-4440.