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Bublé - A legend in the making |
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By Jerry D'Souza » In this day of hype and hyperbole it is refreshing to see a talent that comes across as a breath of fresh air. Canada’s latest international music icon Michael Bublé has been creating a stir from the time his debut self-titled album was released in 2003.
His new album Call Me Irresponsible, released in May, has been a certified international hit – it debuted at #1 on the Billboard album chart in the United States, while also hitting number one in Canada, Europe, Australia, Italy and Germany.
 Bublé was born in Burnaby, B.C. in 1975. His father was a salmon fisherman, and his grandfather a plumber. The latter had a collection of records that included The Mills Brothers and Bobby Darrin. The music, along with chestnuts like White Christmas and Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime stirred him and fed the impulses that would impact his approach.
Bublé began singing in the Vancouver area, often at pubs where his grandfather would work free so that Michael would get a chance to sing. There was only so much road that Bublé could cover there, and so, he moved to Toronto while still in his teens.
Toronto was marginally better in the beginning. He won a talent contest at 17, but nothing much happened after that. He moved to the United States where he went on the road playing Elvis Presley. He worked on cruise ships and sang at conventions. He recorded two independent albums Babalu and Dream. All that he got out of these was experience, but he never wavered in the pursuit of his dream.
Change was to come, and it came from a most unexpected place. Bublé sang at the wedding of Caroline Mulroney, the daughter of Brian Mulroney who actually recognized a good singer and introduced him to producer David Foster.
Bublé began to work for Foster in 2001. It was two years before he recorded that first CD, simply called Michael Bublé, and sent the world into a spin. The two years before the release was spent in selecting the right songs, a task that was as much his, as it was Foster’s. Neither of them believe in compromise.
The record was an eye-opener. Bublé was weaned on the music of the Forties and Fifties, but his debut included songs from Queen, the Bee Gees and Paul Anka. What set them apart were his interpretations. He dispensed with the sparse rockabilly backing on Crazy Little Thing Called Love for an orchestral backing, retained the tempo on Fever, but kept the snap at bay, and filled Come Fly With Me with a breezy sway. He gave them his own feel and came up trumps. There’s an exception. The last song finds the presence of Frank Sinatra in his intonation. Bublé toured widely to promote the album. His hard work paid; the CD has sold six million copies worldwide.
Bublé went even further on his next recording, It’s Time. He pulled in The Beatles’ Can’t Buy Me Love, and the R`n’B hit by The Drifters, Save the Last Dance For Me. At first glance it would seem that he was going out on a limb. Not so. Once more he wrapped his personality over a song, turning it into a personal statement, infusing each with a warm emotion.
Bublé continued to weave his magic with his newly released CD Call Me Irresponsible. Once again he expanded the parameters. This time he had a country song in Always On My Mind and the soul hit, Me and Mrs. Jones. There is another gem tucked in. It’s Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight with Brazilian singer Ivan Lins who sings in Portuguese. The two are in close emotional harmony that erases the 30 year gap between them.
When Bublé sings, no parallels should be drawn with the original versions. He forsakes them, a rare stylist, a singer who gives a song a new shade and character. He has a wider range than Harry Connick Jr. to whom he has been most often compared. The comparison stems from the night club/pop performer style they have, and that both are apostles of the “Great American Songbook.” But look closely; Bublé has a far wider selection with songs that move across several genres. He is one of those rare artists who is comfortable in any style.
Success can be fleeting. Bublé does not rest on his recording laurels. He has extended his fan base through his live performances. On stage he mixes ballads with the up-tempo tunes, a fine balance that nails attention.
Where many performers are content reprising the songs from their albums, Bublé moves to a higher level. He augments his stage show with dance and jokes, he does impersonations and brings in high energy. He communicates with his fans, making them part of the experience, drawing them in to the magic. As he says, he just loves getting in front of people.
Bublé is a savvy performer, whose contemporary styling is at home with pop, country, rhythm ‘n’ blues and the mellow side of jazz. Quite apparently this connects well with his fans. He has sold well over 12 million albums and his concerts are packed to capacity.
He is an entertainer, cast perfectly in the frame of Elvis, Ray Charles, Dean Martin and Sinatra, stars that he once idolized. It is now his turn to cast the same spell. By the way things are going he will be doing so for a long time.
• Jerry D’Souza is a senior jazz journalist. He has written for leading industry music magazines, including Billboard, Coda, Jazz Forum and the website allaboutjazz.com. He is also the Membership Secretary of Canada’s Jazz Journalists Association. |
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