Celia Cruz : Azucar!

Known as the “Queen of Salsa,” Cuban-born singer Celia Cruz died in July 2003, but not before she was able to attend and take part in this lengthy, glittery tribute to a career that spanned over 50 years and at least that many albums. In truth, many mainstream popular music fans will know little or nothing about her (other than her brief role in the '91 film The Mambo Kings, maybe), but in the Spanish-language music world Cruz was a legend, a fact borne out by the appearances of some of the genre's biggest names, ranging from hosts Marc Anthony and Gloria Estefan to established stars such as Jose Feliciano, Ana Gabriel, Luis Enrique, and American pop divas Gloria Gaynor and Patti LaBelle (hell, even J. Lo delivers a taped homage). One's appreciation for this lavish, two-disc set will no doubt be in direct proportion to one's love of Latin music (indeed, almost everything is in Spanish, with English subtitles), but the producers certainly didn't skimp. The tribute concert (presented in excellent Dolby Digital 5.1 sound as well as stereo) lasts nearly two hours and contains some 20 songs, including what's touted as Cruz's final live performance; meanwhile, the DVD bonus features occupy an entire disc of their own and include endless artist tributes, rehearsal footage, Oscar-style red-carpet interviews before the show, etc. A lot of this stuff is way too slick for this particular reviewer's taste, but Latin lovers of both genders and all ages will enjoy. Recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)