It’s no lie: Shakira proves to be an unshakable force

The positive reviews of Shakira’s sellout Oral Fixation tour continue unabated. Her latest show at the Toyta Centre In Houston, Texas was a huge success and the local media joined the lovefest with positive reviews of the gig.

The following piece was written by Joey Guerra of the Houston Chronicle:

Shakira’s gravity-defying gyrations have earned her a permanent place among today’s singing, flash-dancing sex symbols.

But during the early part of her searing set Tuesday night inside a packed Toyota Center, she was more rock goddess than bellydancing diva.

Shakira took the stage amid the strains of early hit Estoy Aqui, dressed in a midriff baring top and low-rise pants that exposed her chiseled abs. The tune’s triumphant Spanish calls of “I’m here” were all the crowd needed to reach a feverish appreciation level.

The hits came fast, furious and often ferociously. Te Dejo Madrid benefited from a driving guitar arrangement and a Vegas-style light show. And Don’t Bother found Shakira strapped into a glittering guitar.

Conflicted love ballad Inevitable was an early standout, a pulsing moment of angst-ridden edge and escalating crowd excitement. It was matched by the powerful punch of Si Te Vas, which found Shakira thrashing about the stage, encouraging a singalong.

Vocally, Shakira veered effortlessly between arena wails and flirtatious coos. The quirky Obtener Un Si found her teasing fans with come-hither gestures.

Her Hips Don’t Lie collaborator Wyclef Jean did something that opening acts strive for, but often fail to accomplish: He brought the arena to a considerable pre-Shakira simmer. Jean’s half-hour set played out like a free-form jam session. He was introduced by a rapid-fire DJ set that included a slice of the Jean-produced Destiny’s Child hit No, No, No, a nice local touch.

The former Fugee strummed a guitar and turned Bob Marley’s No Woman, No Cry into an impromptu ode to immigration, drawing roars of approval from the audience.