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Story and photos by Kate Seesholtz Michael Bublé returned to Nashville Sunday night after a two-year absence. Bublé ignited the Bridgestone Arena with a mix of old school standards and recent original pop hits. Openers Naturally 7 jump-started the evening, using only their voices to create a "wall of sound." The group refers to themselves not as an acapella group, but as a vocal play ensemble. They used their voices to not only mimic, but also fully become the instruments, including a full drum set, bass, guitar, and turntables. Their high energy and ability to engage the audience set the tone for the rest of the evening.Opening with the somber "Cry Me a River," Michael Bublé announced his desire to dispel any preconceived notions the audience might have of him. He joked that his music was not just a soundtrack to the next "Sex and the City" movie, and that he is indeed straight (and engaged to be married next year). The comedy continued throughout the evening, showing that not only is Bublé a talented singer, but also the complete package as an entertainer. Bublé continued to win over his audience with songs "You're My Everything," "Mack the Knife," and the title track from his album and tour, Van Morrison's "Crazy Love." The soulful singer with the boyish good looks spent a large part of his show in the middle of the arena, enabling everyone to get a more personal encounter. From here he treated the screaming fans to "Some Kind of Wonderful" and an unscripted "Be With You." Before returning to the front of the arena, he dedicated his hit "Home" to the armed forces. Guided just by an acoustic guitar, it was easy to feel the passion behind his words. Michael Bublé showcased a flawless ability to shift from one song to the next. Whether it was a lead in of the Black Eyed Peas' "I've Got a Feeling," his newest single "Hollywood," or classics such as "For Once in My Life," Bublé's vocals never wavered. The diverse singer acknowledged his similarity to Sinatra, but insisted it was Michael Jackson that inspired him as he was honing his abilities. As the evening came to a close, Bublé ended with the biggest hit of his career to date, the radio smash, "Haven't Met You Yet." As he returned for his encore, he treated the expectant audience to the classic "Feeling Good," as silver and white confetti blasted from the stage. Continuing with a sing along of "Me and Mrs. Jones" the encore wound down with Christmas standard "Let it Snow." Launching into his finale of "Song for You," he humbly thanked his fans for their support. And as the curtain closed on the night, Michael Bublé stood alone on the stage, allowing just his strong voice to carry the last few verses of the song out to the hushed crowd. While no one would argue Bublé is a talented singer, one has to see him to fully believe just how talented he truly is. |
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