Michael Buble
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Allstate Arena/ Rosemont, IL

Review and Photo by Andy Argyrakis

If it seems like Michael Buble exploded from obscurity to being able to sell out arenas in a finger snap, that’s because the 34-year-old was instantly embraced for his ability to juggle traditional ideals with contemporary pop appeal. Raised just as much on Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin as Michael Jackson and ‘80s pop, the crooner’s trance spans multiple generations, much like Harry Connick Jr. did a decade ago, but with an even more likable personality.

As for his voice, it’s undeniably pleasant, even if it doesn’t have the horsepower as those above mentioned heroes, and with a charming personality to match, he held the sold out Allstate Arena in the palm of his hand throughout a near two hour set. Touring in support of his latest chart topping mix of re-imagined standards and originals Crazy Love (Warner Brothers), Buble was backed by a 13-piece big band with a stage resembling an old fashioned Las Vegas showroom.

At least half the set list echoed the vintage vibe, starting with the horn-slapped standards “Cry Me a River” and “All of Me,” along with jazzed up renditions of “Mack the Knife” and “I’ve Got the World On a String.” He admitted the arena setting was less than ideal than previous residencies in town (such as last tour’s stop at the Auditorium Theatre), but tried to make up for the distance with a seated set anchored by a cozy but vanilla version of “Georgia On My Mind.”

Buble made up for additional distance between the stage and the stands by jumping in the crowd with members of acapella opening act Naturally 7 to visit a b-stage as flash bulbs snapped incessantly. Yet the hands down highlight of that segment was an acoustic take on his pop to country crossover hit “Home,” which was preceded by a line of “Free Bird” and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” to add some comic relief to the song’s otherwise longing for love tone.

Thankfully, Buble doesn’t take himself too seriously and spent most segues cracking jokes, including the announcement that he was engaged, but figuring most of the guys who were dragged by their girlfriends or wives probably had money on him being gay. Later on, an overly enthusiastic female fan shouted over the clean cut performer with a request to go backstage, to which he quipped he’d never interrupt her 7-Eleven shift and that an all access pass was out of the question. There was even an out of character dance interlude that found the singer mimicking Jackson’s “Billie Jean” with surprising accuracy.