Sold Out: En Vivo Desde el Nokia Theatre L.A. Live

Recording information: Nokia Theater, Los Angeles, CA.
The great irony of Gerardo Ortiz's career is that when his 2010 album, Ni Hoy Ni Mañana, entered the Regional Mexican chart at number one, he was widely regarded a newcomer, though in truth he was a seasoned veteran. The L.A.-born, Sinaloan-raised singer has helped to revolutionize the plebada banda style with his modern narcocorridos and romantic ballads. Sold Out: En Vivo Desde el Nokia Theatre L.A. Live is a stellar live greatest-hits collection that delivers almost all the singles, some deeper catalog numbers, and some surprises too, in front of an adoring California audience. Whether it's the hardcore "Cara a la Muerte" -- something Ortiz knows plenty about having survived an assassination attempt that claimed the life of his manager -- the tender "Olvido," the sad but beautiful "Solo Vine a Despedirme," or the drama in "Aquiles Afirmo" and "Preguntame," Ortiz and his stellar group deliver 18 tracks with fiery immediacy, intensity, and humor.