Duo Dorado at Nacho Daddy Vallarta

Fernando Gonzalez operates and directs his band Piel Canela resulting in an abundance of energy and enthusiasm. Fernando is joined in a smaller version by Luis Rascón setting the high bar on his cello and bongos and “Pepe” José Galván on bass, one of the best in Puerto Vallarta. Amy laid claim that the illustrious Luis plays 113 different musical instruments. His talent is abundant.

She broke into “For Once In My Life” as her first song, a Motown-written classic which was first a slow version done by many artists including a big hit by Tony Bennett. Amy gracefully slid over the melody in a slow and sexy manner. Then, the place started to rock, not only with our beloved Piel Canela and their strong Latin beat but also the movement of a woman obviously enjoying herself immensely to Stevie Wonder’s up tempo version which made recording history.

As promised, new material will be cropping up in this songfest and Amy declared “I’m A Bad Guy” from Billie Eilish. Baaaaaad… Then Queen popped up with “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, with everyone swinging back and forth, remembering Freddie Mercury. Fernando introduced his mother and son, Mateo, in the audience to our pleasure. Previewing her upcoming Stevie Wonder show, she delivered “Superstition” causing the walls to sway and the ceiling bow down to her talented voice. The precursor of a super-fine show of Stevie’s Motown music.

Wild rocker Chaka Khan, Rufus’ Queen of Funk, was saluted for her “Ain’t Nobody” from 1983 and still as hot as ever with Amy grabbing the strong declaration of love. Even some classic Country music was included drawn from George Jones’ repertoire, a beauty [You’re as smooth as] “Tennessee Whiskey”.

Amy remarked several times during the evening that she is happiest when singing to people, whether within reach or via the Internet. The lady loves to perform and we all love to hear her since she gracefully glides over notes with a rich fullness arising from her vocal chords and lungs.

Easing into a great Adele song with a message for everyone around, “Remedy”, Amy placed all of herself, all her soul and all her knowledge of the lyrics into this delivery, making it possibly the high point of this show.

Andra Day’s inspirational song “Rise Up” applied to all of us suffering from a mental or physical malady in these times. Amy encouraged everyone within ear distance to rise up and conquer these bad forces. Then she turned to a man who must really have loved the birth of his little girl Aisha as he wrote and sang “Isn’t She Lovely” [made from love]. Stevie shared this adoring love with millions of his fans. Fernando sang in his Spanish while Amy supplied English lyrics. We will be hearing more songs split by language throughout the upcoming season.

Shows have been shortened at Nacho Daddy to avoid guests from hanging out threatening the intense safety enforced by Tammy and Sean. Their guests are of utmost importance in addition to their performers, themselves and their families and friends. So the band and Amy joined to relate the odd story of happenings at the “Hotel California”.

This show will continue for a few more weeks. It is a fun preview of her next two shows but also with a song list of chosen favorites. Starting in November, the group will be performing a Stevie Wonder Songbook. She noted that his music was very popular in Mexico, sung in Spanish. So expect some dual language work.