A couple of weeks ago it was the Pendulum live DVD/CD that excited me, this weeks it’s this Michael Buble DVD/CD. Here at Shakenstir we’ve always felt that albums are only half the story, and the complete picture can only be painted through witnessing a live performance. So, if we like we go see. But that’s not always possible which is when we pray for a C/DVD combination in the absence of the smell of the greasepaint. Record companies have also recognised the public’s seemingly unquenchable thirst for live shows and the potential for live recording sales.

This CD/DVD was recorded at the very end of Buble’s two-year world tour which culminated at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Unlike many such live releases, the DVD gives the lead-up story to the final concert and includes some brief interviews which reveal much about the man as well as the artist. It was six years ago that Buble had mapped out his plan for ‘world domination’ and an important part of the strategy was to enlist instrumental talent for his band. There was an audition process and eventually he ended up with eight young musicians who have been with him ever since, including his musical director.

During the movie he visits New York’s famous Blue Note Club where he and his band made their first tentative steps into the musical limelight. He is filmed wandering through the club and remembered his first show there. He described his surprise and delight at finding a winding queue outside the club waiting to see him play. He went up to a small, old lady at the front of the queue and thanked her for coming. Her response was “You’d better be fucking good!”

The DVD is full of interesting and very personal moments such as when he spots his family sitting in the auditorium during rehearsals for the show, and explains how his grandfather mapped out his singing future. His grandfather admitted that the plan was to conquer small clubs but he had never imagined his grandson would succeed in the way he had and would play the Madison… Buble is also shown to be an ordinary fella as he sips a glass of Jack Daniels and smokes a cigarette before and after the show.

Then there’s his band and concert support staff who he refers to as his ‘family.’ There’s numerous introductions including a few moments spent introducing his personal and very huge bodyguard. He’s filmed having dinner with his ‘family’ and drinking to the Madison gig which he refers to as ‘easy peasy.’ In summary, one is introduced to a modest and open man who realises that it is not just his talent that has got him to where is now is.

The audience also comes in for praise and thanks during the concert when he takes the time to thank them for coming to see him at The Blue Note Club, Radio City and of course Madison Square Garden. He also acknowledges the fact that times are hard and some may have struggled to buy the tickets to see him… At one moving point in the concert he actually walks away from the mic as if to take away the barrier between him and his adoring audience. I wonder how many artists can manage to be heard without a mic in such a large auditorium. It was a gesture appreciated by the audience who gives him a standing ovation.

Buble is in relaxed and excellent form as he performs some of his best-known songs while injecting a little local flavour. Songs played include ‘I’m Your Man’, ‘Me And Mrs JOnes’, ‘Call Me Irresponsible’, ‘I’ve Got The World On A String’, ‘Lost’, ‘Feeling Good’, ‘Home’ (a tribute to the New York audience), ‘Everything’, ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ (a natural for jazz interpretation), and another audience tribute, ‘Song For You.’ Buble is a natural communicater and talks to fans at the front of the stage, at one point pointing to an older couple and quipping, “If you do it after you’ve heard me that’ll be something…” There’s crowd singalongs and the shaking of hands with anybody he can reach from the lower level stage. It’s one hell of a show. But this collection is more about the man so there’s a finer balance between him and his music. Those looking for pure concert footage may be disappointed…

His closing line is: “Thank you everybody. I’d like to thank my people, my band, my beautiful crew, my family, but most of all you. I know there’s a lot of people who have worked real hard to hang out with me tonight and we really appreciate that greatly. New York, you know I’ll come back a million times if you’ll have me. Thanks for being part of this, thanks for being part of my life, and making this dream come true. I’ll miss you big-time. Happy holidays.” Now if you think this is rather corny, think again. This guy is sincere, but you’ll only be able to witness this for yourself by acquiring this CD/DVD.

So what are you waiting for?

4.8/5