Stewart Deere, who we sent to cover the Michael Buble show July 12 at Alltel Arena for and whose review will run in next week’s edition, files this report on the show last night. You diehard Buble fans can fight over which review on this blog truly captured the essence of the show; frankly, I’m stunned to hear the guy did some Johnny Cash. Cool.:

The spirit of the Rat Pack lived on last Wednesday night as Michael Bublé took the stage at Alltel Arena. From the moment his silhouette appeared behind a bright orange screen to the impressive microphone-less vocals that closed his cover of “Song For You,” Bublé had the audience (and the ladies in particular) wrapped around his finger.
Bublé first showed a little of that Pack spirit when he began to address the audience after his opening performance of “Feeling Good.” Following some kidding around including Elvis Presley and President Clinton impersonations, Bublé took some time to speak to the men in the audience who had been dragged there by wives or girlfriends.
He impersonated a typical man who had been dragged by his wife to see some “Clay Aiken sh— “ (but just stopping short of using the actually profanity). Bublé then reassured the men in the audience that all he did was “put a little air in the tire and you go home and ride that bike all night long.”

Advertisement

That was but one of the amusing instances where Bublé’s breezy repartee with the audience recalled the days of Frank, Dino, and Sammy onstage (albeit with a little more risqué humor and some PG-rated profanity). The man of the hour also broke the wall between audience and performer when he walked down the aisles and even into the next section up to greet fans and receive hugs and mobbing adoration.

This last bit went on a little too long and for a moment it seemed as if Bublé’s antics might distract from the music. But the focus was drawn back by his cover of Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” as the clear and crisp sound made even the snap of his fingers into an integral part of the song.

Advertisement

The power of the music was also in full evidence as his performance of “You Don’t Know Me,” which he dedicated to Ray Charles, saw a middle aged couple slow dancing in the center aisle.

It wasn’t the only tribute of the night. Johnny Cash received his due as Bublé appealed to men in the audience by heralding the late country legend’s rugged sound and attitude. “If a girl walked up to him with flowers he would have kicked her in the head,” he said before kicking into a brief medley with sections of “Ring of Fire” and “Walk the Line.” Somehow the Cash tribute morphed into a Michael Jackson tribute and Bublé’s brief crotch grabbing performance of “Billie Jean” garnered one of the night’s loudest responses.

Advertisement

It was not all clowning around for the night however, and Bublé dedicated his performance of the song “Home,” which he co-wrote, to armed forces overseas. Of current issues and conflicts in particular Bublé, though admitting he had very strong political opinions, expressed his view that actors and musicians such as he should “shut the hell up about their beliefs.”

Despite a detour into seriousness, it was Bublé the devilishly charming and clever entertainer that the Arkansas audience will remember, a Bublé that is welcome to return any time he chooses.

Advertisement

Opening act Jann Arden and her band put on a strong performance, especially considering she was accompanied only by a percussionist and additional guitarist. By the time she played her mid nineties hit “Insensitive” many in the audience must have had “oh yeah” moments when they realized exactly who she was. Although her music is miles away from the jazzy stylings of Bublé, it was a welcome surprise to hear a performance by a musician who has slipped under the radar after her big hit.
— Stewart Deere

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article Rocky’s is a knockout Next article Hot Springs club changes hands