Buble Revives Classic Tunes

Recently such names as Norah Jones and Diana Krall are reviving that big band and jazz sound, but Canada has just launched a new force for the Jazz world to reckon with. With the release of his debut, self-titled album, Michael Buble's tacks on a freshness, and readies himself to take on the fame. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, young Buble displayed extraordinary musical talent. His grandfather introduced him to the classics of the 40's and 50's very early on and Michael incessantly begged him to learn and sing them for him. As an avid fan of rock and roll, Buble was hesitant to enter the Jazz world, but he soon realized that the unique big band elements that his grandfather grew up on were also developing in him. Enough, in fact, to inspire him to enter a talent contest and bring home the blue ribbon. His grandfather was his biggest supporter. To help Buble engender his talent, he did plumbing work for musicians in return for stage time.

Over the next few years, Buble went on to join a traveling musical group that toured the United States, and participate in a musical revue entitled "Swing." It didn't take long before his big break finally came. It took a lot of patience but a record deal with Reprise/134 Records, was eventually presented. Michael immediately accepted with utmost enthusiasm and promptly entered the studios. Singing and recording the songs that got him started, he began work on an album in early 2002.

Released on February 11, 2003 "Michael Buble" has already entranced listeners with his smooth voice and obvious passion. Even Hollywood was very impressed with his vocal ability, adding his name to the upcoming "Down With Love" movie soundtrack. Although a traditional big band orchestra backs him up, Buble adds new age sequencers and synthesizers, an entirely new concept to the world of classic swing, to give the music a new freshness.

Covering the songs of famed singers such as Sinatra, Morrison, and Darin, his modern versions of old favorites are just as soulful and flawless as they were in decades prior. While adding a few twists of his own on tracks such as "Kissing a Fool" and "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," Buble proves the old mantra "Oldies are still goodies." This is also evident in his more traditionally arranged covers of "Fever", and "Crazy Little Thing called Love", which he executes with style and aplomb.

While he's no new age Sinatra, Buble's voice is smooth and distinctly casual. It seems to mix especially well with cruising standup bass lines and here and there brass blasts on the "Fever," which provides a blasting introduction for this up and coming jazz singer. His outstanding vocal performance on the second track serves up another highlight with his impressive version of Van Morrison's "Moondance."

Buble proves his ambition by tackling some of the best-known jazz numbers throughout his album. As rings true with most things, nothing beats the original. In "Summer Wind", his progressive style seems a little out of place. But overall, this disc is a must have for any swing or big band fan.

At 25 years old, Micheal Buble has a debut album that has gone gold in both South Africa and his native Canada. He has also been named "Artist of the Month" by Smooth Jazz Canada and is in high rotation on jazz radio in the United States. With a voice that has been compared to Harry Connick Jr., Buble's is sure to be around for years to come, crooning the classics with smooth delivery and a voice that truly does swing.