Five nights at the vast O2 arena, performing for a total of 50,000 people is impressive by any measure and proof, were it needed, of the popularity of the Canadian superstar. A mix of Rat Pack crooner, clean-cut pop pin-up and, at times, old-school Vegas comedian, Michael Bublé cleverly blends American Songbook classics with jazz and soul standards and contemporary originals.
He’s sickeningly good-looking, suave and debonair, too, and unashamedly a “laydeez” man. But what makes him stand miles apart from so many others is the fact that he’s so damn accomplished at what he does. Everything about his performance, his phrasing, timing and ability to inject genuine emotion into a song, amounts to a kind of perfection in itself.
Having opened with a sultry ‘Fever’, his signature hit ‘Haven’t Met You Yet’ makes a surprisingly early appearance, bringing the audience to their feet.
“It’s hot as shit in here,” he says, wiping the sweat from his brow and there are plenty of laughs along the way, most of which wouldn’t translate into print. He can be deadly serious too and commands rapt attention on exquisite versions of ‘Cry Me A River’ and Otis Redding’s ‘Try A Little Tenderness’. At one point he races up to the back of the arena for an intimate mini-concert, helped out by support act Naturally 7. Another highlight is a jazzy, supper-club rendition of Van Morrison’s ‘Moondance’.
Bublé is a truly terrific performer and probably the nearest most of us will ever get to seeing Sinatra at the Sands Hotel.