Michael Bublé: Crazy Love
Michael Bublé: Crazy Love
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By Tom Powell. |  |
Sunday, 25, Oct 2009 12:29
143 Records/ Reprise, out now.
In a nutshell...
Middle of the road covers from the Canadian king of crooning
What's it all about?
Crazy Love is the first album in two and half years from Canadian crooner Michael Bublé. The 14 track album features two new songs co-written by Bublé alongside his take on various classic tracks including Cry Me a River, Georgia On My Mind, Crazy Love and Some Kind of Wonderful.
Who's it by?
The son of a salmon and herring ,Michael Bublé was brought up near Vancouver. When his parents were away, Bublé lived with his music-loving grandfather, who introduced him to the singers who would become his idols: Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Elvis Presley. However, it was not until former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney discovered his music that Bublé got his big break.
His self-titled debut album came out February 12, 2003 and since then he has sold over 22 million albums.
As an example...
"And I know someday that it'll all turn out/You'll make me work so we can work to work it out/And I promise you kid that I'll give so much more than I get/I just haven't met you yet." - Haven't Met You Yet
What the others say
"Michael Bublé is a master at juggling musical attitudes, and his new CD, Crazy Love, whose title comes from the Van Morrison song, is his most confident balancing act yet." - New York Times
"The album's polished, middle-of-the-road approach isn't exactly for everyone, but its agreeable heart doesn't hit any sour notes, either." - Los Angles Times
So is it any good?
Crazy Love is exactly what you'd expect from Michael Bublé; an album of covers showcasing his talent as crooner. However, while the quality of Bublé's voice is undeniable/ this album is very middle of the road.
His recording of old classics like Cry Me a River, Georgia on My Mind and You're Nobody Until Somebody Loves You make him sound a bit like an X-Factor finalist told to do swing by the judges. His voice is one that could have seen him as part of the Rat Pack in the 1950s and 1960s but today it is a little tame. It's listenable, even if you do find yourself switching off a bit, but it's not unique which for me is the biggest problem with the album.
I like the originals as they are and find it strange to listen to Bublé's retelling of these classic numbers. Cry Me a River sounds too like a Bond track and has none of the sultry undertones of Julie London's version and while he is clearly playing tribute to Ray Charles' Georgia on My Mind, it has none of the poignancy of the original.
This album would be a good accompaniment to a Sunday afternoon baking session or a great present for your Mum - it will be under the tree for mine this Christmas - but Bublé could do more to lose the X-Factor feel and use his voice to record more of his own music rather than copying others.
5/10
Samantha Cullen