Viva Marc Anthony!

TORONTO - Let's debunk two myths right off the bat. Marc Anthony didn't fill every seat in Massey Hall last night 'cause he's a Latin pop balladeer who just happened to be performing there on Valentine's Day.

It's way too convenient to say that.

And he didn't fill every seat 'cause he's part of the mainstream media-generated 'Latin Explosion.'

The fact that the celebrated salsa singer has sold more records than any other singers in the genre in the last seven years is evidence enough.

The reason why New York's Puerto Rican favourite son drew 'em in -- his show sold out shortly after tickets went on sale last month -- is simple: Anthony's a great entertainer and a solid, emotive tenor.

That pure, powerful voice filled the venerable hall for a good 90 minutes last night, and you had to wonder how much more sublime it would've sounded if Anthony wasn't nursing "the worst sore throat I've had in my life."

BOYISH CHARM

The reluctant pop star who oozes boyish charm got the party started right with Y Hubo Alguien, a blazing salsa that you wished would never end. He followed it up with Contra La Corriente, the title track of one of his previous discs, and by this time you could hear people who had hollered "Avance!" earlier and expressed their impatience at his taking the stage a half-hour late now seeking forgiveness.

Stopping briefly between songs to speak with fans, accept flowers and, natch, a pack of Halls, Anthony ran through songs from his Spanish-language albums Todo a Su Tiempo (which spent two years on the top of Billboard's Latin charts) and Contra La Corriente, plus Marc Anthony, his first English-language album that was released last September.

SAPPY BALLADS

Thankfully, Anthony didn't trot out every song on his latest offering. Packed with indescribably sappy ballads, Marc Anthony might have satisfied the curious who've just heard of him and thought this would make a perfect Valentine's night out, but it would've bored the rest of us out of our pants.

It should be noted that last night's show wasn't just a feast for the ears.

Imagine witnessing a stadium-style production -- we're talking a big, fancy set and a 17-strong group that included a five-man horn section -- in a venue that seats 2,500 and you have the Marc Anthony Revue.

It was meaty, beaty, big and bouncy and it left you slack-jawed.

At a time when so many artists are relying on killer physiques or bad boy allure to sell records, it's hugely satisfying to come across someone like Marc Anthony. One of the most satisfying shows of this young year.