Michael Buble Concert Mini-Review, OKC, March 4, 2008

I say mini-review because I’m not familiar enough with Buble’s work to right a respectable review of his concerts. That said, this was a great show. Pre-show, my take on Buble’ was this: Okay music, but his best songs Sinatra already sang better. And, frankly, that’s probably still true. But here’s the thing, Sinatra’s not around any more, and Buble is one heck of an entertainer.

The concert kicked-off with a cappella group Natural 7. Basically, they were a seven-man Bobby McFarlin band. While they weren’t breaking new musical ground, they had stunning voices and were the perfect 35-minute opener for a crooner like Buble. They left the sold-out crowd of 9,300 to a standing ovation.

After a short interlude, the curtain rose to Michael in a black suit and skinny black tie looking every bit the part of rake-about-town. He was joined by a crack eight-man brass section, a bass player, drummer, pianist, guitarist, and all-around percussionist. The stage was made of shiny black linoleum tilted forward on a 25 degree angle, just enough to allow Michael to walk up it and slide back down. The stage was framed by two large screens with a series of curtains serving as a backdrop. The media shot on the curtains and screens accentuated, not overpowered, the songs and never crossed the line to schmaltzy—not an easy task even at a rock ‘n roll concert. The opening song was I'm Your Man, followed by a simmering Mrs. Jones then a blistering version of Fever. He belted out song after song for 100 minutes, from slow, simmering jazz to rock ‘n roll. Other standouts included Willie Nelson classic You Were Always on My Mind, his own Feeling Good and Home, James Taylor’s How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You), That’s Life, Queen’s Crazy Little Thing, and Ray Charles’s Song for You. One nice thing about singing standards is that every song is a great one.

Throughout his show was peppered with PG-13 asides and slightly too-edgy-for-Oklahoma dialogue. Still, the ladies in attendance (my guess is the female/male split was 60/40) didn’t seem to mind, and the guys (or this one at least) had to laugh and salute the bravado. That brings to mind what Buble really has going for him. It’s not the voice, although that was certainly in great form, it’s the charm. That’s what makes his songs good, and that’s what he’s selling. Good old fashioned bad boy swagger. Furthermore, while I haven’t given his music a good spin in about six years, I noticed that he’s developed some style in the last half-decade. He’s not just a pretty voice now. He feels the songs a lot more and doesn’t seem so impressed with himself when he holds a note.

He closed the show with a truly classy “Thank You” for all those who’d saved up their money, hired babysitters, taken off work, and drove in from out of town. While this often seems trite from other bands, it seemed heartfelt this time-- maybe because the concert was packed full of every age and demographic. While I was lucky enough to be taken to this show, I’ll plunk down my money next time he comes to town. Married men, swallow your coolness and take your wives. You’ll enjoy it, and she’ll love it. Single guys, don’t hesitate. No girl will turn you down with these tickets.