Beehive

UPDATE: We've got a bunch of great reader reviews from Tuesday night's Michael Bublé concert at Save Mart Center in the comments.

Now you can read my review of the show, then chime in with your take on the show, the set list, Bublé's banter and whatever else is on your mind.

If you've got photos from the show you'd like to share, you can upload them at CentralValley.com. If you've got video footage, share it at videos.fresnobee.com.

MY REVIEW
Michael Bublé called me out.

Well, not personally. He didn't say "Hey you, Osegueda!" But he did acknowledge that there was probably a reviewer somewhere in the arena, scrawling in a notepad or pecking into a BlackBerry, making notes about whether Bublé could make the transition to arenas from theaters and still keep an intimate feel to his show.

Got me there, Bublé. I certainly was thinking that going into Tuesday night's concert at Save Mart Center. And I had my little notepad with me, taking notes the whole time.

Some of the words I wrote down: Unpredictable, funny and cool.

You see, after Bublé gave his spiel about the reviewer, he also said that the way he was going to help that transition from little venue to big was by connecting with the audience, which he announced at 7,500 (though I'd guess that was a little high).

And connect Bublé did. He welcomed the crowd by saying, "The last time I was here, I was in a theater ... It was hot. Remember that?"

People cheered, because they did. It was a 100-degree July evening where the air conditioner gave out at Saroyan Theatre. Some people walked out of the show. Some people sweated through it. Bublé was so cool he didn't even take off his jacket.

So after he was sure people remembered, he immediately swung back with a joke about not wanting to give people free water that night. That got a raucous cheer and the tone for the evening was set. "I'm in a good mood tonight ... I don't even know what day it is."

With a 13-piece big band backing him, Bublé strutted and slid around the stage with his herky-jerky dance moves, making his way through standards that have become hits for him and his own original songs.

He found the right balance between being a crooner and being playful – whether sitting next to the piano to cover "Always on My Mind" or stopping to beat-box during "Fever." Unpredictable indeed, Bublé.

To further connect with the crowd, he bantered like a talk show host. At one point, he picked an 11-year-old named Sam out of the audience and joked that he'd appreciate having seen Bublé when he grew up and wanted to romance a girl.

Then Bublé jumped off the stage, took a picture with the kid and a group of young girls in the next row. On his way back to the stage, he kissed a lady who had brought a homemade sign, and danced with a woman in the front row.

"I'd like to thank you for grabbing my ass the way you did," he said to the woman in the front row.

If there's any criticism people could throw Bublé's way, it was that he spent too much time talking and not enough singing. It didn't bother me. To me, it made the show.

Even while he was singing, though, he found ways to connect. He dedicated his rendition of "Home" to Fresno, and then various images of the city came on the video screen while he sang – like the Fresno sign downtown, City Hall, Chukchansi Park, the Save Mart Center and various Fresno State scenes.

It's something he probably does in every city. Even so, it carried a lot more weight than when an artist will insert "Fresno" into one of its songs to win over the crowd.

There was a fitting end to the show. Bublé, on his encore, stood center stage, singing with no microphone. It proved that, above all, Bublé's voice is what counts. If not for the voice, he'd just be another guy trying to be funny. With the voice, he's a true showman – unpredictable, funny and cool with a very endearing way of connecting with his crowd.

You win, Bublé, you win.

Other thoughts and musings:
– Mid-show, after Bublé announced his band, there was this Saturday Night Live-ish skit, where Bublé stormed off the stage and trombonist Nick Vagenas took over the show. It had been announced earlier by Bublé that Vagenas was from Fresno. I'm wondering if that was just a little white lie to connect further with the crowd. Vagenas' bio on the band's Web site makes no mention of Fresno and says he was born in Boston and attended Berklee College of Music, also in Boston. Mike? Nick? Got anything to say about that?

– Sign of the night: "Michael Your My Everything." Guess "everything" doesn't include a dictionary.

– Openers Naturally 7 were pretty cool. They were an a capella group who could harmonize like a more gospel Boyz II Men, but also use their voices to sound out instruments like the electric guitar, drums, bass and harmonica. It was certainly interesting -- though I wasn't as blown away as some in the audience who had probably never seen beat-boxing or listened to Rahzel or The Roots before. Still, Naturally 7 had a cool show -- deconstructing familiar songs with their "wall of the sound." It's something that could very easily take off.

- It's crazy how people lose all perception of where they are sometimes. At one point, Bublé invited people to rush the stage and, of course, they did. In my row, a girl kicked over beer trying to get out. The woman in front of me left her camera on the chair and her purse on the ground. I kicked it under her seat so it didn't get trampled or stolen. You're welcome.

Posted by
Mike Oz

11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (17)

Comments:

As a Michael Buble fan, i was anticipating a great show but i was blown away by the end. It was my first concert of his that i attended and it by far won't be my last. I was surprised by his energy throughout the entire set. He really made the concert so enjoyable to watch. He made me laugh, he made me cry, he made my night! I do hope he comes to town again. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

Posted by: Danielle at May 7, 2008 12:36 AM

*****

Took my husband to Michael Buble for his birthday since he loved him...NOW I am a fan!! Loved the opening act - Naturally 7 - was WONDERFUL and UNIQUE! The show was long and made us feel like we got our money's worth and more! LOVED all the songs, the bantering with the crowd and YES even taking the picture with SAM in the crowd!! I felt like he was sincere in his THANK YOU'S at the end of the show... and what an ending... SO many people left when they THOUGHT it was over and IT kept going... LOOKING forward to seeing him again!!! Hope YOUR review is positive !!!

Posted by: Gloria at May 7, 2008 6:39 AM

I thought it was great! My friend and I got tickets almost on a whim, and we're weren't disappointed. I really liked his banter. I wasn't missing anything on the setlist mainly because I don't know very many of his songs. I will definitely see him if he comes to town again!

Posted by: Ernie at May 7, 2008 7:58 AM

Mike,

I have to tell you that I loved the show! The time spent waiting for him to come to Fresno and the price of the ticket was well worth the wait and the cost! I thought the show went by too fast and before I knew it the show was over and I had to go home.
I thought the interaction with the crowd and the band was great! That is just a small part of what makes him the personality that he is. I know for a fact I will look forward to his return to Fresno and I will be willing to pay to be nearer to the stage. As it was I was on the floor in section 5 and that was not close enough for me.
He has assembled a great group of guys to back him up and you can tell they get along great! He never has ever come off with an attitude like most performers these days. I will always be a Buble fan and will continue to go to his concerts and buy his CD's and be a loyal member of him fan club. AND YES the banter is part of who he is and should never change it!

Posted by: Eric at May 7, 2008 8:36 AM

Mike: Everything that is said above is true and even more so. My Wife and I are huge fans and have been since before his first album. He is truly a great entertainer and on his way to super stardoom. If he comes back we will be there.

Posted by: Don at May 7, 2008 8:58 AM

first off i want to say i was there on the "infamous 100-degree night." compared to when he came last time i thought it was great. i didnt know if he was going to be able to pull of the closeness he was able to do at the Saroyan Theatre but he did, and he did it very well! Im glad to see that people like his style of concert. All the talking and having fun with the audience is something that he does very well and that is what i like about him. He played all of his best songs new and old and rocked the house. i hope i will be able to see him a third time, i loved it!

Posted by: Zack Chastain at May 7, 2008 9:13 AM

Oh My God! Loved it. He was a wonderful performer,as well as comedian. I could have stayed for hours more. So glad I made the trip from Santa Cruz.

Posted by: Christy at May 7, 2008 9:31 AM

I LOVED it! I thought he was great! He did quite a big of songs, but the time just flew by! This was my first time seeing him in concert, so I didn't know about how much he interacts with the crowd, and I LOVED it! Made us feel like such a big part of it. He is sooo funny! At the end when he just sang without a microphone, I was blown away. What a voice! I can't wait to see him again! That was the greatest mothers day present ever!

Posted by: Misty at May 7, 2008 9:34 AM

Mike,
I was one of those unfortunate fans who was at the Saroyan Theatre in the balcony on his last visit. This show was by far the best concert that I have attended. I loved his banter with the audience and he sang all of my favorite songs. He is an outstanding performer, full of energy and he just pulls you in to where time just flies by. I hope he puts Fresno/Save Mart Center on his next tour list. I will definately be there!

Posted by: Dell at May 7, 2008 9:34 AM

We saw Michael Buble in San Jose May 3 and he was terrific. I have all of his CDs and he will bring the big band era back. A great crowd pleaser. In SJ a group Naturally 7 opened for him and they were fantastic also would love to see them again also. But Buble is one of the best singers thats around now. The women did everything but throw their underwear at him. I hope he comes to Fresno again.

Posted by: Irene at May 7, 2008 9:46 AM

I took my girlfriend to see this guy for her birthday. I have never heard of him before. I listened to some of his music and I thought it would be ok. I was very impressed by his performance. He had alot of energy, I even got into it and made it very enjoyable for us. How he played to the crowd, how he joked with the crowd. I will for sure see him in concert again.

Posted by: Carlos at May 7, 2008 9:50 AM

Saroyan, WOW! Savemart Center, DOUBLE WOW!! I enjoyed it so much and will see him again on his next tour.

Posted by: Silvia at May 7, 2008 10:13 AM

What an INCREDIBLE evening!!! I just wanted it to go on and on!!! Michael really "Rocked The House," and his voice sounded even better, in person, than on his CD's. What a personality and cuteness he has without being full of himself. He really connected with his audience! His opening group, "Naturally 7" was AWESOME...I can hardly wait to buy their CD...I think they have a tremendous future ahead...both Michael and they are "First Rate, Class Acts!"

Posted by: Maggie at May 7, 2008 10:31 AM

I really did enjoy the M.Bouble concert...and yes, I
think there could have been less interaction with the audience and more of telling of his background (you know) little whimsical stories to ingratiate himself to those
who wanted to know more about him. More singing.. He has alot of sex appeal..the back-up singers were great!
The opening number was fabulous. A good concert, the
orchestra was as good as it gets! Katina

Posted by: Katina at May 7, 2008 12:39 PM

After reading all of the comments so far, I must respectfully disagree, somewhat anyway. I believe he is a very talented individual and enjoys what he does.
However he needs to create his own image, rather than another Frank Sinatra or Bobby Darin. He really has a great voice, but is certainly not a comedian. I believe the Seven-11 could have been kept under wraps, and the hand signs given back and forth on the stage could have been left out.
He really did seem very arrogant at times. We have seen Celine Dion and she is the most humble performer I have ever seen. Michael just seemed to be very much "into" himself.

Posted by: Denise at May 7, 2008 12:40 PM

i'm a huge MB fan and also saw him at the saroyan on that hot hot evening. i couldnt wait for last night's performance and i wasnt disappointed. excellent singer and performer. and he's funny too boot. but and here is a big BUT, i thot when i first saw him on the jumbothon that he looked tired and then my girlfriend and i decided he was somewhat crocked. dont know if that's his spiel and it's just what he does but i hope i'm wrong as he is so talented and a great future ahead of him.

i will definitely see him again and again and again.

Posted by: vivian at May 7, 2008 9:53 PM

Loved, loved, loved Buble'! His vocals and charisma are delicious! So personable and charming with the audience. Band, lighting/graphics/photos were outstanding. He gave a wonderful two hours of joy and I loved every moment of it. "Naturally 7" was very, very cool too. Can't wait for Buble' to return to this area. Grade: A+

Posted by: Linda at May 8, 2008 9:51 AM

May 7, 2008

You Review Michael Bublé

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