It seems to me that the title of the album is appropriate to the experience of hearing and seeing Buble in action. Amongst the current crop of popular new young jazz exponents, Buble is the supreme quality of the field and this album of mainly live tracks proves it.

The opening two tracks (Nice ‘N Easy, Can’t Help Falling In Love) on this CD and DVD collection are the only studio tracks, and not the most inspiring. Don’t get me wrong, they are performed with supreme confidence, vocal fluidity and clarity, backed by tumbling piano notes and wonderful orchestrations. And both songs are treated with utmost respect. But it is the live tracks that prevail here starting with My Funny Valentine. The audience acclaim is included at the beginning of each of the subsequent tracks including this one. This interpretation of the classic standard is beautiful, glacially paced and with the help of muted horns and brushed drum skins, almost perfect. Buble’s voice is superb with abundant expression and an easy quality. The trumpet passage in the middle-eight is fantastic as it heralds in a wild session of drumming. At the end of the song drum and trumpet flourishes meet with hefty applause before the song finishes, and I can imagine being there. Superb.

Next is Mack The Knife and it takes a few moments for the audience to realise what’s coming, but the acclaim is tremendous when Buble reveals all. I know the Bobby Darrin version very well, and this comes very close to being as good. Fever follows and is performed to smouldering perfection with excellent atmospheric orchestral and guitar moments.

The audio CD finishes on two spectacular songs with For Once In My Life and a stunning rendition of Moondance. The DVD is fascinating as Buble describes his childhood years, love for music and his path to becoming a professional singer at the tender age of seventeen years. He is now twenty-eight and so is no overnight sensation. Also included is footage of tour travel and the impression is given that he enjoys an especially close relationship with his band. The film quality is excellent, occasionally flicking from colour to monochrome with great effect. Combined with the DVD which includes another 15 live concert tracks, this is one incredible package and an absolute must-have for the increasing number of mainstream jazz fans out there. Buble is an amazing performer and no better when performing live in front of appreciative blood and bone. Essential.

5/5