Monday night in HSBC Arena, a considerable crowd of all ages was treated to some of the most powerful songs in North American history. Given the subject matter of these tunes — true love, unrequited passion, sheer desperation, having the world on a string — one might think that the audience was treated to a thrilling, emotional roller coaster, a fusion of timeless melodies and raw feelings. But this was a Michael Buble concert.
The thoroughly charming, fresh-faced singer delivered precisely what his fans were hoping for— brilliantly arranged, flawlessly performed renditions of jazz and pop standards. Given the high quality of the material he chooses, you’ve got to wonder how good this guy could be if he stopped being an entertainer and truly sang his guts out.
Take “Feeling Good,” for instance. In the hands of its supreme interpreter, Nina Simone, the song is a chilling, slinky blues workout. When she sings the lines, “It’s a new dawn/It’s a new day/It’s a new life for me,“ they sound like a sinner that’s found redemption. When Buble sang that same chorus Monday night, it sounded like a happy guy watching the sunrise.
That’s not to say Buble doesn’t put on a good show. The Vancouver native is a showman of the highest caliber, a honey-voiced artist with impeccable taste and a sharp sense of humor. His open interaction with the crowd felt natural, even during some schmaltzy moments (e.g. he received a bouquet of roses from two little girls), and his jokes had a streak of sarcasm to them that was awfully refreshing. Most importantly, Buble knows the value of having a smoking band behind him — a 13-piece ensemble that nailed every note with authority.
But after the second or third extended comedy bit, the concert started to feel a bit like a variety show, peppered here and there with actual songs. When he did focus on his craft, his capable voice and fluid stage presence showed why he’s a star.
His take on “I’m Your Man,“ Leonard Cohen’s masterful ode to supplication, was transformed into a lazy, gangster-movie swing number. “Call Me Irresponsible” was given the straight-ahead big-band treatment of Dinah Washington’s version.
Was Michael Buble’s performance as sexy as Cohen, as bewitching as Simone, as effortless as Frank Sinatra? Not even close, but, of course, those are unfair comparisons. This guy’s about showing his crowd a good time, digging out chestnuts of the past and sharing them with a wink and a smile. If you want something deeper than a skip in your step and a laugh in your belly, you best look elsewhere.
Appeared in the April 15, 2008, issue of The Buffalo News.