Entertainment

New York's Madison Square Garden brimmed with Latino pride Thursday night during the seventh annual Latin Grammy Awards televised live on Univision (Channel 23). The three-hour show pretty much delivered the expected, namely high-profile wins for Colombia's Shakira, Puerto Rico's Calle 13 and Mexico's Joan Sebástian. Otherwise there were plenty of performances and friendly banter between photogenic hosts Lucero and Victor Manuelle.

SETH WENIG/AP

Shakira and Alejandro Sanz's performance was one of the highlights of the Latin Grammy Awards in New York.

Here are a few thoughts on the Latin music genre's biggest shindig.

It's all about Shakira: Of course the show commenced with Shakira, she of the superstar status and most Latin Grammy nominations. She performed twice, once with just a pianist doing a stunning, dramatic rendition of "La Pared" from her nominated CD, Fijación Oral Vol. 1; then with Alejandro Sanz doing her megahit "La Tortura." And yes, Shakira was gyrating them hips like only she can.

Banda album, video: Mr. Sebástian took best banda album for Más Allá del Sol from fellow Mexicans Banda El Recodo, who were up with Hay Amor. If Recodo had any competition, it was Mr. Sebástian. Then Puerto Rican Gilberto Santa Rosa triumped in the salsa-album category with Directo al Corazón. And newcomers Calle 13 scored in the short-form-video category with "Atrevete Te, Te!"

Passionate and passive: Give Ana Gabriel props for always delivering an authentic ranchera tune with such chest-pounding passion. She and the mariachi band that accompanied her soared during "Siete Veces, Siete Más." But, uh, if you want to talk about passive let's discuss Andrea Bocelli, who was all but somnambulant doing a medley that included "Bésame Mucho" and "Somo Novios."

La Oreja de Van Gogh ... YAY! Spain's La Oreja de Van Gogh won best pop vocal group album for the wonderful Guapa effort. How cool to see a group without gimmicks, who can write lovely, breezy and rhythmic pop songs, gain acceptance in a Latin music market innundated with reggaeton and regional Mexican music. The group deserves the accolades!

Shakira's song: Song of the year went to – no surprise – Shakira's monstrous hit "La Tortura." As much as I love Ricardo Arjona's "Acompañame a Estar Solo," also nominated in that category, the award belongs to Shakira. "La Tortura" is an insanely catchy, infectious and rhythmic piece of work that manages to combine flamenco, reggaeton, vallenato and Latin pop in one tune.

Thalía's costume party: Mexico's Thalía went the Madonna route, creating a big old production number complete with intricate 18th-century costumes for her synth-pop number "Seducción." There were even a few, um, risqué moments between her and a woman (who licked her cheek) and then her and a man (who gave her a salacious kiss). A feast for the eyes, yes, but "Seducción," while a hook-filled good time, is nothing more than a disposable song.

Ricardo Arjona ... sigh: So Guatemala's Mr. Arjona finally wins his first Latin Grammy, in the category pop male vocal album for the excellent Adentro. But he didn't show. All the anticipation, the applause and the deserved recognition and he's not there for his moment in the spotlight. Sigh.

Shakira No. 2: She won best female pop vocal album for Fijación Oral Vol. 1. That was a shoo-in. All the other nominees, including Thalía and newcomer Anais, were merely window dressing. Fijación Oral Vol. 1 is by far the most mature, realized piece of work from a singer-songwriter who emerged all but fully formed in 1996.

Maná, Ricky Martin: Mexico's Maná and Puerto Rico's Ricky Martin both performed multiple songs during their time onstage. For Maná, it was simply a matter of being seen and heard as a plug for its current album, Amar Es Combatir. Still, it was cool to see Juan Luis Guerra performing with the group during the ballad "Bendita Tu Luz." For Mr. Martin, his platform stint preceded the presentation of the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year award, which he received for his social-aid work on behalf of children around the world. Miguel Bosé, looking a bit grayer but still dashing, presented Mr. Martin with his honor.

Calle 13 sweeps! It's official: Puerto Rico's new reggaeton-and-more sensation Calle 13 swept its categories. The duo of René Pérez Joglar (a.k.a. Residente) and half-brother Eduardo José Cabra Martinez (a.k.a. Visitante) took all three Latin Grammys they were up for, including best new artist and best urban music album for their debut CD, Calle 13. Look out Daddy Yankee, Don Omar and Wisin y Yandel ... reggaeton has a new force to be reckoned with.

Shakira snags album, record: Again, no surprise, but Shakira walked off with album of the year for Fijación Oral Vol. 1 and record of the year for "La Tortura." She spent much of her record-of-the-year acceptance speech thanking the people and places of her hometown, Barranquilla, Colombia. There's something so genuine about her, which is refreshing consider how big a superstar she is.

Fania All Stars: OK, so there's no way the original Fania All Stars could perform at the Latin Grammys. Many of the influential salsa artists of the landmark record label are dead, including Celia Cruz and Hector LaVoe. But include a couple of the living, Andy Montañez and Johnny Pacheco, then add young salseros such as India, Mr. Manuelle, Mr. Santa Rosa and you get an indoor street party to conclude the seventh annual Latin Grammy Awards.

E-mail mtarradell@dallasnews.com