Photo courtesy of Warner Music Canada.
With his latest collection of standards, `60s covers and pop originals, Michael Bublé breaks no new ground (and who was really expecting that, anyway?). But the singer continues to subtly distance himself from the restrictions of the crooner template that brought him to the world stage.
It’s unlikely that Bublé’s original role models Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett would have looked to the Bee Gees, Jackie Wilson or Smokey Robinson for material to interpret, nor would their well-known distaste for pop and rock have allowed them to embrace the simple, radio-friendly hooks that turn up all over this predictably likeable disc.
Bublé, however, continues to walk his own path, having transcended mere discipleship quite some time ago.
He has not abandoned his roots, as is evident from the album’s bookend songs: You Make Me Feel So Young and Young at Heart, linked by genre and theme. With a stellar vocal performance and the horns and rhythm section right in the pocket, the former song serves notice right off the bat that the artist still has a respect for tradition that drives many of his choices. Even a playful, swinging take on Randy Newman’s You’ve Got a Friend in Me might have passed muster with the Chairman of the Board.
But a faithful interpretation of To Love Somebody and a makeover of Who’s Lovin’ You – check out Bublé’s soulful rasp and both his entrance and exit on this slightly faster, less melancholy version of the Robinson torch song – are among the standout selections that show the singer to also be a product of the post-crooner era. Berry Gordy’s title song, made famous by Wilson, brings a similar edge, bolstered by an inspired string arrangement.
There are twice as many Bublé co-writes as there were on the the last album. This time, the singer had a hand in writing four of the songs, including the bouncy, infectious It’s a Beautiful Day – this album’s Haven’t Met You Yet – and the stately, quite gorgeous I Got It Easy. Less impressive are Close Your Eyes and After All, which features Bryan Adams, both of them more in the boilerplate power-pop style that makes them sound like a million others out there.
Three extra tracks – Be My Baby, It’s a Beautiful Day (Swing Mix) and Melancholy Baby – are available only on a special edition available through Target Stores. This variation continues the loathsome trend of big-name artists releasing albums in different versions, with motivations that can be attributed only to big money. The fan must ask the same questions each time: how does one actually get the whole album? How many different special or deluxe editions are there? And are the extra tracks essential or just throwaways?
Would it be too radical to suggest that artists decide which songs make up their album, release it for one price and save the outtakes and B-sides for a rarities anthology down the line.
Rating: *** and 1/2
Podworthy: I Got It Easy
Bublé discusses the album right here:
