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Michael Buble Seduces NYC Audience
7-Dec-2008
Written by: Jill Marino
Crooner on fine display at MSG concert.
He opened the show with “I’m Your Man.” And for two hours on Friday night, he was. Michael Buble belonged to New York City on the final stop of his nearly two-year tour, which spanned over 40 countries. He gave the sold out crowd at Madison Square Garden song, shtick, and soul.
He performed a sultry “Me and Mrs. Jones,” to which the crowd sang the chorus along with him. Buble’s singing style is approachable and makes him immensely likeable from the first note. He sings proud, and then when the band plays the jazzy part of the number, he’s not afraid to bust a move while he does it.
Buble provided his well-known songs that put him on the map. The song, “Feeling Good,” has been bludgeoned on American Idol numerous times, and it was welcome to hear how brilliant it is when the right singer does it. “Home,” the single from the album, It’s Time, that gets the tears going, was sung with New York City in mind. The logos of local sports teams, bridges, streets, and taxis were displayed on the backing screen as Buble tenderly sang the ballad. It brought an instant standing ovation. That song went No. 1, as did the cutesy “Everything” from his last album, Call Me Irresponsible. The audience happily joined him on that as well.
While Buble’s goal was to perform a concert, he did serve up a lot of comedy. After he explained how “honored and thrilled” he was to be at the Garden, Buble said, “Thank you for coming out. Thank you for your money.” He joked about wanting to be a hockey player (he hails from Vancouver) and ending up in Clay Aiken Land. He felt sorry for the men who were dragged to the show by their ladies, so he sang an Elvis tune for them. Then, he felt the show wasn’t macho enough. Buble then told the men he had the right song to make them feel more secure in their manhood. It was the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” Sometimes it was a bit much, after all, it was a concert and music was expected. But when you see how he handles himself and the way he can work a crowd; you give Buble a free pass. He doesn’t have to sing all the time, but he can entertain all he wants.
Buble admits that while he does try to do his best on stage, he can’t do it without his band. He talked of auditioning musicians from around the country six years ago and was so delighted to see them grow as artists and to have them tour with him. One member joked to the crowd about how much of a “diva” Buble is backstage, asking for “no eye contact ever.” Buble played along, and the pure camaraderie was evident. The band was his perfect partner, whether on the swingy “Save the Last Dance for Me” or the always classic “I’ve Got the World on a String.”
During one point in the show, Buble sat at the piano and served up some new material he had been working on. Joining him on an old song called “Stardust” were his opening act, Naturally 7. The New York-bred band sings a Capella as well as creates their own sound with various voice techniques. It was bluesy and relaxing - the perfect song to hear on a cold December night. Buble also recognized his grandfather sitting in the floor section, mentioning that his grandfather introduced him to the great crooners when he was younger. Buble then sang his cover of Dean Martin’s “You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You”; complete with glass (of water) in hand.
Buble showed his debonair side as he swooned with the ladies in the audience, including a 9-year-old little girl from South Carolina named Amy, who sat in the front row. After talking with her a bit from the stage, he got up from his stool, went down to the front row and took a picture with her. He then gave hugs to anyone who came up to him as he made his way back to the stage. This is why Buble has a dedicated fan base and why the show sold out in an hour and a half. He’s committed to providing a great time. At his Radio City show in 2006, I witnessed him run up and down the orchestra aisles during a song, taking pictures with fans and schmoozing as he sang. Buble then got back on stage and said that gesture was no act. He explained that he does it at every show and would always find a way to interact with fans at his concerts.
That is what a Michael Buble show is. He sings, dances, jokes, and flirts. But he does it with heart. A lot of artists these days lack that. Buble is a prime example that you’ll do OK in this business if you never forget where you came from and who put you there. That is why he’ll be around for a long time.
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