Buble the third time around

Canadian crooner Michael Bublé has a style of his own – silky, smooth and endearing. Hopeless romantics and fans around the world could not resist the combination of Bublé’s great talent, captivating stage presence and songs that takes them to a romantic musical journey. I can listen to his version of A Song for You, for a straight week. It’s the best version I’ve heard so far. He tells his story of how he’s been to so many places with 10,000 people watching, so clearly, so simple you would think he’s just talking to you. He whispers, he cries, he begs, he croaks his voice while seducing you with a passioned reading of this song.

His Filipino following fell in love with him and his music during his sold-out shows held here last Sept. 18, 2003 and Jan. 30, 2004. And he is set to charm his way into his audience’s heart all over again when he stages his much-awaited live concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 12. Expect to fall in love with his silky baritone and smooth rendition of hits like Come Fly With Me, Fever, and Crazy Thing Called Love and of course, A Song for You.

This time, Bublé’s concert is expected to be more exciting – for so many things have happened in his career since he last visited the Philippines. He has a new CD entitled It’s Time which has sold millions of copies worldwide since its release early this year. It is a wonderful collection of covers of all-time favorites – from Frank Sinatra and Eddie Arnold to Stevie Wonder plus the Bublé penned original Home. Bublé is on an extensive music tour and his popularity continues to soar – capturing the US market, captivating much of the world. He recently guested on The Jay Leno Show. For his Philippine engagement, Bublé will be backed up by a 12-member band.

Bublé was introduced to the pop, swing and jazz standards of the ’30s and ’40s as a teenager by his grandfather who loved to hear him sing. Grandpa Mitch, who was a plumber, would even barter his services with local nightclubs if they agreed to put his grandson on stage. At 17, Bublé had a wealth of experiences in the music scene. He was discovered by Grammy-winning producer David Foster while singing at the wedding of the daughter of Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. The budding star joined talent shows, performed on cruise ships and sang in the production of Forever Swing.

After the release of his self-titled, best-selling album in 2003, Bublé went on a perpetual world tour. "What I realized is that most people don’t really care what category music fits in," he says. "They’re looking for good songs, sung from the heart. It’s about melodies and lyrics and it just doesn’t matter how traditional or contemporary they are. Those values are timeless."

"I’ve seen how music can transcend borders and boundaries, cultures and creeds," the 29-year-old artist adds. "It’s been an education, but more importantly, it’s been an inspiration."

To find his own sound, Bublé has become the healthy combination of his idols, from Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr. to even Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald. Now, he is known as a GenXer with the soul of a swing-era crooner. Neither pop nor jazz, he interprets classic songs which often come across as "feel-good" and engaging.

Bublé admits that although he has a bigger-than-life image on stage, he turns it off once he leaves the stage. He remains close to his family and since he doesn’t get to see them much because he is eternally on the road, he has begun to rent an extra bus for his US tours so they can join him on the road. "I’m just a quiet guy who loves my family. They gave me the pellets to live," he says.

No wonder, Bublé sings straight from where it matters most – the heart.

For tickets to his Manila concert, call Ticketnet at 911-5555.