Matteo Bocelli Makes Beautiful Music at LBT

Italian rising star, Matteo Bocelli (son of opera legend, Andrea Bocelli) is taking aim at fame on the pop star track in the United States. Already a well known artist in Europe, Matteo hopes to grow his fan base here. Last night's performance portends the likelihood Matteo will likely gain popularity rapidly for his tenor recordings which have garnered several Grammy Awards and for his ingratiating appeal.  Yes, I was smitten with the offspring of the great Andrea Bocelli who has also been named one of PEOPLE"s 50 Most Beautiful People.  Matteo's inherited talent and good from his famous father.  Fans in the theater waved their iPhones inside Luther Burbank Theater in appreciation of last evening's one night show.  It's fair to say Matteo does not possess the full richness of Andrea's resounding vocal (at least yet).  There is a similarity that reverberated in his ballads.  Matteo came onstage without fanfare and sat at the concert sized Steinway accompanying his first song.  He told the crowd this was his first US tour then introduced us to the musicians performing with him.  His musical entourage included keyboard, acoustic guitar, violin, viola, cello and electric cello.  The cellist doubled up playing a neon lit electric cell and the keyboard player performed on guitar and piano.  Colorful lighting in crimson red and midnight blue added to the high-spirited concert.  The smoky haze emitted was more of a distraction.  Matteo came down in the aisle and flirted jovially with female fans while her husband raised his arms in resignation.  Matteo encouraged audience members to dance. There were several takers along with a bodacious woman in a form fitting jumpsuit that made a more salacious sideshow than Matteo may have intended.  After a few songs, Matteo's voice smoothed out and built-up fuller sounding.  I preferred hearing the love ballads  that were sung in Italian and best emulated his father's style.  Tony Bennett was a mentor and close friend whom Matteo spoke of lovingly.  While Matteo's vocal range was limited, his sex appeal was not.  Towards the later part of the program, standing ovations were given after each number.  When he announced the last number, audible bellows of "No!  Uno mass!" were heard.   Having left after the first encore, I could detect roars of applause way out in the parking lot leading to a second encore.  We'll be hearing and seeing more of this dynamic artist who is a chip off his father's shoulder and someone who holds his own on stage.  Bravo Matteo!