|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
BUY THE CD
|
| | | |
Ol’ Blue Eyes would be proud—because his finger-snapping, swinging, big-band style lives on in smooth-voiced, Hugo-Boss-suited Canadian crooner Michael Bublé. Though the jazz singer has been around for years, he’s been showing his face (and his voice) a lot more lately. Perhaps you’ve seen him on the arm of Golden-Globe-winning actress Emily Blunt (who makes an appearance on the album, singing background vocals on “Me and Mrs. Jones”). Or maybe you’ve heard him singing “Come Fly with Me” in Starbucks commercials. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve most likely heard Michael Bublé before—but you may have thought it was Sinatra. Or maybe his pal, Dean-o.
Bublé’s new album, Call Me Irresponsible, instantly evokes images of smoky old Vegas nightclubs and dirty martinis. It starts out on a high note—with possibly the best song on the album. “The Best is Yet to Come,” with its finger-snapping rhythm and stunning big-band sound, just begs to be played extra-loud, on an expensive set of speakers. As the album continues, Bublé sings everything from smooth, sexy jazz on “Me and Mrs. Jones” to calypso—with even a little bit of a Motown feel thrown in on “Comin’ Home Baby,” his duet with R&B group Boyz II Men (yeah, I didn’t know they were still around, either). You’ll find a jazzy version of Leonard Cohen’s “I’m Your Man” and an arrangement of Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” (which is probably the only song on the album that really didn’t work for me) and, finally, Johnny Mercer’s “Dream.” Also included on the album are two original songs—“Lost,” a ballad, and “Everything,” a cute love song.
From start to finish, no matter what the style, whether accompanied by a full orchestra or just a piano, Bublé shines. Even amidst the boisterous horns, his crystal-clear voice rings through every time.
Call Me Irresponsible is the kind of album that everyone should have in their CD collection. It may not be the style of music that you typically listen to, but it’s a great alternative to the norm. It’s the perfect background music for a dinner with friends—just as long as you’re serving martinis.
|
|
|
|
