Thirty-two-year-old Michael Buble may very well be the heir apparent to Frank Sinatra’s mantle, so strong is his charisma and appeal. Since he was discovered in his native Canada and brought to the attention of major-label record execs, he’s been surrounded by handlers and arrangers who’ve done just about everything to extract every ounce of his formidable talent in his recordings, which typically include the usual big-band and standard offerings, paired with jazzy takes on pop and rock tunes and the occasional original. I find this record darn-near irresistible, and it’s spent a considerable amount of time in my daily listening routine over the past few weeks.
A disc of highlights too numerous to list, among them are songs that have a definite Sinatra association, including ‘The Best Is Yet To Come,’ ‘Call Me Irresponsible,’ and ‘I’ve Got The World On A String,’ which has a really catchy and funny intro sung by all the players involved, who by the way can sing almost as well as they play! His take on the seventies Billy Paul hit ‘Me and Mrs. Jones’ is absolute ear candy. He branches out a bit from most of the album’s formula with his duet with pop group Boyz II Men on ‘Comin’ Home Baby,’ which really swings and showcases the superb vocals of all the participants. Producers David Foster and Humberto Gatica have done an excellent job in every aspect of this outstanding recording, from the irresistible arrangements to the superb playing of all the musicians. Five Stars – very highly recommended!
TrackList: The Best Is Yet To Come; It Had Better Be Tonight; Me And Mrs. Jones; I’m Your Man; Comin’ Home Baby; Lost; Call Me Irresponsible; Wonderful Tonight; Everything; I’ve Got The World On A String; Always On My Mind; That’s Life; Dream.
– Tom Gibbs
