There are some people in this world that just have “it”. You know, that special something that we cannot exactly define or pinpoint, but recognize immediately deep to our soul. If you watched Bohemian Rhapsody (or grew up watching Queen in their heyday) you know Freddie Mercury had “it”, Sinatra had “it”, and undoubtedly Michael Bublé has “it”, in spades.
It’s not just that golden voice or his songwriting, it goes well beyond those things. What is probably most impressive is how he can take a sold-out arena and make one feel like your being entertained in your living room, hanging out with someone who is as close to a “Rat Pack” guy than anyone around. Take for instance his picking out Chandler, a simple enough dude in the crowd who when asked said he could sing. Seconds later the audience and Buble are stunned by Chandler’s rendition of “Mack The Knife”, Bobby Darin style. It was when of the best moments of many great moments throughout the show.
When Buble entered it was to a 36 member orchestra set up a bit like the big bands in their heyday. On top of that, he had a giant metal disc that could be projected upon as well as the best graphics screens money could rent. Between classic hits and his own numbers, Buble generally joked with the crowd. The sincerity of his professed love of Pittsburgh was genuine and when he started talking about The Steelers, “Oh, Antonio Brown, you made a big mistake,” the crowd was eating from his hand. Tack on love for Ju-Ju, a crack on Kraft’s arrest and Patriot fans, his ‘man-crush’ on Lemieux, and capping it off with a Mr. Roger’s tribute of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” and well Buble was adopted by the entire PPG Paints Arena.
His musings were not limited to Pittsburgh though. His often self-effacing humor adds more to his charm. When discussing the enormous cost of putting on his stage show with all those musicians he stated,
“I know my manager looks at me, and looks at Ed Sheeran, and says ‘What an a-hole.’ ” But his real message of the evening was just to love, love yourself, love others, and even love the differences we all have. It is very clear that family comes first for Buble and that is just another layer on the love cake all his audiences have for him.
Setlist:
- Feeling Good(Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley cover)
- Haven’t Met You Yet
- My Funny Valentine(Richard Rodgers cover)
- Won’t You Be My Neighbor?(Mister Rogers cover)
- I Only Have Eyes for You(Harry Warren cover)
- Sway(Dean Martin cover)
- Such a Night(Johnnie Ray cover)
- (Up A) Lazy River(Hoagy Carmichael cover)
- When You’re Smiling(Seger Ellis cover)
- You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You(Russ Morgan and His Orchestra cover)
- When I Fall in Love(Jeri Southern cover)
- Love You Anymore
- Forever Now
- Home
- Buona Sera Signorina(Louis Prima cover)
- Just a Gigolo / Ain’t Got Nobody
- You Can Never Tell(Chuck Berry cover)
- Nobody but MeP
- Cry Me a River(Julie London cover)
- Encore:
- Where or When(Rodgers & Hart cover)
- Everything
- Always on My Mind(Brenda Lee cover)
All photos AWELDINGPHOTO © 2019
My daughter her friend christine and her daughter amber and myself were there at this concert we have seen him 4x this was the best he is absolutly amazing beautiful man magnificent voice loves his fans and we love him our husbands have been with us 3 x cant wait to see him again. Oh what a night ??❤??