When he was young, Vancouver-born Michael Buble thought he would grow up to be a professional hockey player. But somewhere along the way, his path swerved from contact sports to sexy big band music, a change of course for which millions of fans are thankful.
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Buble played to 10,000 Oklahoma fans Tuesday night at the Ford Center. It was an absolutely amazing show. The opening act, Naturally 7, was fantastic. They are an a capella vocal group consisting of seven talented New Yorkers who combine harmonious vocals with extensive "beat boxing” (vocal impersonations of instruments and drums). They sang some great renditions of classic Simon and Garfunkel tunes along with some of their own songs and gospel remakes. They were very entertaining.
Then Buble took the stage. The handsome vocalist had the audience mesmerized by his charisma, in stitches with his humor and spellbound by his voice.
Never having been to a Buble show, I had no idea what to expect of his performance, but it turned out to be a night I will never forget. I will be heading to the nearest music store soon to buy a collection of Buble compact discs.
My first impression of Buble was how incredible his voice sounded with his 12-piece backup band. With nine horns wailing along in perfect harmony, the music grabbed me from the start.
Then I noticed Buble's swank. The man has the attitude of Frank Sinatra and Harry Connick Jr., the moves of Fred Astaire and Sammy Davis Jr., and the looks and sex appeal of Elvis. Buble is truly the modern king of musical romance, as was evident by the thousands of Oklahoman women at the concert who couldn't tear their loving gaze off the crooner (myself included).
The concert promoted Buble's latest album, "Call Me Irresponsible,” from which he played several songs. He had a couple of women on the front row begging to be his Mrs. Jones from "Me and Mrs. Jones,” one of the awesome remakes from the album. "Always on My Mind” "That's Life” and "I've Got the World on a String,” also from the new album, sounded so smooth, they were almost surreal.
But it was Buble's sense of humor that really made the audience fall in love with him. He was so playful all through the concert; it was almost like a musical comedy show. He apologized to the men in the audience who had, no doubt, been dragged to the show by their women. He offered up a "macho” manly man moment, launching into a short rendition of "YMCA.”
Buble sang songs from all but his Christmas albums, including audience favorites "Home,” "Everything” and "Save the Last Dance for Me.”
The last song Buble sang was "A Song for You,” written by Leon Russell and later performed by several artists including The Carpenters in 1972, the year I was born. He brought me close to tears as he stepped away from the microphone at the end of the song. He moved to the very edge of the stage and, a capella, with no microphone or accompaniment, belted out the final strains of the song, his velvety voice carrying throughout the entire Ford Center. The audience, in silence, basked in the intimacy of the moment as Buble opened his heart to Oklahoma. He said he would come back as often as we would have him. So, Michael, if you're reading this, come back soon! Oklahoma loves you.
— Heather Warlick
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I took my 15 year-old daughter. She thought she'd be bored in stitches, but she was verily entertained...laughing at all the funnies, enjoying the music...and surprising herself, came out of it a fan of Buble.
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