Michael BubleMichael Buble
(Warner – 2003)
by Matthew S. Robinson
Looking like a cross between Justin Timberlake, Chet Baker and a young Johnny Cash, Michael Bublé also sound slike and chooses music froma variety of other artists. Swinging into a “Fever” that is bumped along by bassman Brian Bromberg, Bublé channels Bobby Darin for Johnny Mercer’s “Summer Wind” and even catches a tiny bit of Frank in his covers of Van’s “Moondance.” Though Bublé is no Lou Rawls, David Foster’s keys add just the right weight to Gamble and Huff’s “You’ll Never Find” and Paul Anka’s “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” is delivered with appropriate tenderness. Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” is overpacked with Pop, but the slight accelration of “The Way You Look Tonight” and slowing down of “That’s All” seem to work.
Though his vocal and musical center remains to be found, Bublés aggregate talents are strong enough to warrant the support of giants like arrangers Johnny Mandel and Don Costa and even Barry Gibb, who lends pitch-perfect support for “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.”
© 2003, M. S. Robinson, ARR