'Guitar on Fire' is not only the title of one of Alex Fox's albums. It also it sums up the dazzling artistry of this Argentinian-born musician whose performance at the head of a band which included his two equally talented sons, David and Sebastian, held 4,000 people in thrall at Barr's Bay Park on Saturday night.

Certainly there could have been no more idyllic setting for the intoxicating rhythms of Latin American and Spanish flamenco music than this manicured waterside park, with its profusion of oleanders and palm trees; and beyond that a harbour packed with sailboats, while overhead a near-full moon succeeded the setting sun.

As before, this year's show was an experience like no other. The music, so refreshingly different for Bermuda, was delivered with enormous energy and breathtaking technique. At times stratospheric in its inventiveness and heart-stopping in its execution, it swept the audience along on a hurricane-force journey for which no end was welcome.

Particularly outstanding in a night of countless memories were the instances where, alone or in sync with his sons, the use of flamenco rasgeado - a technique which combines plucking the strings with striking the wooden surface of the guitar with the hand - was stunning.

Mr. Fox is without doubt a dynamic showman who not so much plays his acoustic guitar as makes love to it. In his arms it is a compliant mistress whose every move - and there are plenty - is choreographed to thrill and impress.

In a programme which mixed favourites from his albums with previously unheard material, every piece was a highlight. Familiar standards, such as 'Never on Sunday', 'Those Were the Days' and 'Malaguea' took on new life under Mr. Fox's distinctive arrangements, while his original compositions confirmed his genius as a composer. The latter included 'Star', a sensuous tribute to the violinist in his band, Alfredo Oliva; 'Paco', a tribute Paco Lucia, one of the most famous Spanish flamenco guitarists of all time, and (in translation) 'Dance, Dancer' written for his wife.

In terms of rhythms, the Fox style embraces the influences of Argentina, Brazil, and Spain in pieces set to the beat of rhumba disco, tango, cha-cha-cha and gypsy flamenco. In marked contrast to these was his spot-on calypso/island setting of 'Bermuda, Beautiful Bermuda', whose patriotic lyrics were written by Bermudian Judy Tavares, and sung by his keyboard player Eddie Montilla. Instantly identifiable to local ears, they provided a brief but charming "homecoming" amid this aural journey, and a proud moment for Ms. Tavares in particular.

While Mr. Fox was the undisputed star of the show, he was backed by a superb band. David and Sebastian Fox, aged 18 and 21 respectively, are brilliant guitarists whose talents parallel their father's. Technically perfect by their early teens, they also studied for three years with former Bermuda Festival artists, the Romero Brothers. Clearly, they are the rightful heirs of their father's legacy, and when Alex Fox said he was so proud of them, he spoke for us all.

Violinist Alfredo Oliva was a passionate player, whose music tore at the very soul and added an important dimension to the ensemble playing, as did Mr. Hernandez' on keyboards and percussion.

And then there was Evelyn Ortmann, an Argentinian dancer whose lithe figure, spray-on costumes, and sexy routines did more for male hormones than any pharmaceutical substitute. Like a triumphant genie let out of a bottle, she dazzled with her artistry - a frenetic blur of arms, legs and flying blonde hair.

Mr. Fox's promise to return cannot come soon enough.