Us Two – Decades Volume One

Us Two, our favorite duo and their band present a new musical tribute to our favorite songs throughout five early decades. This musical and visual medley has five parts with each of the decades explored. When one is completed, the pair departs and the audience can see a video collection for the next decade on the two side screens. That time allows them to switch into a costume befitting the next highlighted decade.

Daniel Celis and Naomi Plascencia are Us Two and they travel, taking everyone along for the ride, on a magical journey down memory lane. The chosen songs of the decade draw audience members remembering many of these songs, coupled with their own personal life during when that particular song was over the airwaves and in the clubs.

Audiences absolutely love the high-energy shows that Danny and Noemi deliver. Puerto Vallarta adores this duo, and The Palm Cabaret is thrilled to welcome them to its stage with their exciting new show. A definite aspect of their musical performances is that they are well-rounded so you may hear Classic Music, Unplugged, Country and Pop including Elton John, ABBA, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and Earth Wind and Fire. Daniel said they wished to develop further as artists and wish to enter into untapped musical genres and directions.

Always backed with the stellar musicians available around the community, tonight the band of Us Two was César Osorio-bass guitar, Jorge Rodríguez-lead guitar, Alex Shilinsky-drums and Fernando Ibarra-keyboard.

’50s

A black-and-white film streamed with video clips of scenes from the 50s, such as drive-ins and sock hops. Suddenly, the pair glided onto the stage to wild applause and appreciation from all their followers. One could feel the spirits rise up into the air when they appeared, looking as great as ever. The fifties broke out with “Be My Baby”, standing up on the side area spotlighted and posing in her black and white polkadot skirt and matching saddle shoes. The two sang the soft tune “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” delightfully but then burst out with Little Eva’s dance tune (Do The) “Locomotion”.

“La Bamba” rocked the house. Bamba is a musical composition originating from the Caribbean with a very lively and happy rhythm to which dance is performed. This was a smash both north and south of the border. The design of the show features one singer taking the lead, then the other, then join singing as a duo often with background notes. Catch her, he sings, (my little) “Runaway”….run, run, run, run.

“Hound Dog” brought Daniel centerstage stomping and swinging to this hard-hitting Elvis classic. Then came “Johnny Be Goode” from another world icon Chuck Berry. Hearts did not slow down when Elvis, no Daniel, exclaimed “Don’t Be Cruel” giving the song great credit. Throughout the evening, each song sounded like the originator was up there performing, but Us Two does all their own vocals and obviously spent many hours perfecting the interpretations.

Both Daniel and the audience were enthralled with “Tequila”, perfect for these surroundings. With their dancing and swinging together, the song kept coming out strongly without end.

’60s Us Two

The Mamas and The Papas were a landmark group which set the musical direction throughout the decade. Their top hit “California Dreamin'” slowed the show’s pace, if only for a few minutes, because the Archies’ driving “Sugar, Sugar” was presented hard and fast.

Noemi stood off to the side, lit up and sparkling, delivering a fantastic version of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”. She never sounded better and the crowd knew it and responded right back to her. The pair was clearly happy to be in front of live people and receive applause for all their labor assembling a new show completely different from anything they had projected before.

Back to pounding out the hits, Daniel presented “Pretty Woman” . He knew the urgency of Roy Orbison’s calling back the love interest. But the decade broke loose with The Doors rocking “Light My Fire”. Introduced by The Isley Brothers, later by The Beatles was next in the on-running medley – “Twist n’ Shout” which surprisingly was based on “La Bamba”, a Mexican folk tune.

Humorous lyrics took the show into a wonderful era of words: “Knock Three Times” (On the ceiling if you want me. Twice on the pipe if the answer is no.) But it took The Godfather of Soul James Brown to complete the sixties. “I Feel Good” roared from the band and our duo matched the funky excitement with their vocals and body moves.

Also from the author: Victor Do Espirito’s Bruno Mars Birthday Bash

’70s

“Dancing Queen” brought the two of them singing about that special lady who was “Young and sweet, only seventeen” which stirred the audience into another decade. But Rod Stewart got more down to basics when Daniel imparted “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and then The Bee Gees appeared as necessary with the wild disco “Staying Live”.

“(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty” got their bodies moving as a duo and solos. No better way to move and shake for exercise. They exude joy at what they were doing for themselves and for the loyal fans gathered tonight. The folk rock of the era showed a portion of its popularity with The Youngbloods hopeful tune “Get Together”

’80s “Take On Me” brought back huge memories of life back then with this song by a-ha. They melded into Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” an uptempo dance tune which showed everyone how much rehearsing and inventing was done by Us Two with their choreographic moves. “Karma Chameleon” from Boy George not only brought an new edge to pop/rock music but the lyrics expressed the need to be totally free and yourself. The crowd loved this tune immensely.

The duo also has the ability to take a hard-edged soul song like “In The Midnight Hour” and make Wilson Pickett proud of their delivery and vibrancy. Madonna had to appear and they controlled the stage with the gospel-toned “Like A Prayer”: “When you call my name it’s like a little prayer. I’m down on my knees, I wanna take you there.”

’90s Us Two

Us Two opened with a fun, jump up and down top song by The Spice Girls “Wannabe (If You Want To Be My Lover)”. Leave there be no doubt, they are here to entertain and judging by the assembly, they succeeded.

Noemi started “Believe” , Cher back on the charts(!), then built to a strong message of believing in life after love. The entire song production stood out in this decade. (I’m a) “Scatman” showed Daniel doing rap!

“Livin’ La Vida Loca” finished the last decade and they were totality into the music and movements. Watching this vibrant duo made everyone want to shake, boogie and get up on the dance floor. Life is most crazy right now and the escape tonight brought huge smiles to so many onlookers, begging for more of the thousands of compositions marking the decades. A Volume Two may be in the making deeper into the high season.

More photos on my two Facebook groups below.

facebook.com/groups/PuertoVallartaShows

Puerto Vallarta OldTown/SouthSide