MICHAEL BUBLÉ TORONTO CRAZY LOVE CONCERT REVIEW

Playing to a sold-out crowd on the second night of his Crazy Love Tour at Toronto's Air Canada Centre, Crooner/Funnyman Michael Bublé played to a warm reception from his fellow Canadians.  "Promise me you won't be 'too cool for school' Toronto, since you're the Center of the Universe" he asked of the audience, hoping they'd dance for him in the show's up-tempo latter part.

Tonight was my second time seeing the two-time Grammy winner perform live and perhaps the show's biggest challenge was making a large venue with an audience of 14,000, seem as intimate as a small theatre show.  Let's face it - Dancers, Pyro-technics and flashing LED Screens just aren't him. I saw Bublé back in 2005 at Sony Theatre and that smaller venue was just perfect, but considering the circumstances, he made the most of the situation tonight chatting much with the audience about growing up as a proud Canadian Boy.  He confessed that Michael Jackson was his biggest influence as a child (which always surprises people), going on to tell us his Mother got him an outift similar to that worn by that one in his legendary Beat It video. Bublé went on to perform a snippet of Billy Jean for amusement's sake, drawing cheers from the audience.  He'd occasionally joke about how the boyfriends of the audience must think he's Gay, to which he added that he'd be proud about his sexuality if that were the case.

JENNIFER HUDSON AND MICHAEL BUBLÉ: HEATING UP YOUR HOLIDAYS

ABC aired Grammy and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson's hour-long Christmas special I'll Be Home For Christmas tonight, documenting her return to her hometown of Chicago. The program followed Hudson as she went back to her former high school and church, reuniting with friends and family along the way. More notably, she delivered some very soulful renditions of This Christmas, O Come All Ye Faithful, The Christmas Song and Silent Night and we could sense her nervousness in singing alongside some local mentors she looked up to growing up. She remains humble despite having earned her place alongside them.

Although the special didn't necessarily connect us to any deep emotional level with her, America like Hudson, has had a tough run over the past while. Seeing her be strong enough to overcome it all is fitting in these times of hope and change.

During the special, Hudson did a duet medley of Baby, It's Cold Outside and Let It Snow with Canada's beloved Michael Bublé. Hudson made him a first choice to collaborate with in this special, stating that his voice perfectly exemplifies for her the meaning of Christmas. The two playfully bantered back and forth and if you do a search on YouTube, you just might be able to find the performances online.

Bublé also just announced the launch of his Crazy Love Tour, with its American leg kicking off March 10th in Orlando, Florida and wrapping up April 9th in Los Angeles, California. The European leg of his tour begins May 6th also in Sheffield, England, although there are no Canadian dates announced yet. For a full list of tour dates, visit the handsome crooner's official tour site.

As an interesting aside, Bublé revealed to MR. WILL-W.: POP MAVEN readers that he finds much joy in eating some of his favourite comfort foods which include: his Grandmother's homemade Risotto, Velveeta Mac and Cheese, Beef Jerky, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (my Mavenati in Australia don't know what they're missing!) and Cheetos. He also let us know that his most essential item of clothing to bring along while touring is his favourite pair of jeans, which he has had repaired four times apparently. Perhaps, he'll be on Santa's Nice List this year and get a gift card to his tailor.

Don't forget to check out my review of Bublé's Crazy Love album here. Watch a teaser for the Crazy Love Tour below:

*I took the above photo of Hudson during her 2008 visit to Toronto during TIFF. The photo of Bublé was taken 2006 at his Sony Centre show in Toronto.

REVIEW: MICHAEL BUBLÉ - CRAZY LOVE

I wish I had all the time in the world to obsess about love all day like Michael Bublé apparently does. Like many of us, I don't and this is why I resort to escapist means of getting my fix. The Vancouver native's fourth studio album Crazy Love from Warner Music oddly was released on a Friday (October 9, 2009) and like his previous albums, we know pretty much what to expect of him. That sultry baritone, silky smooth runs and licks, cover versions, luscious David Foster arrangements and as indicated earlier - love, love, love. This album treads absolutely no new territory, but then again you probably should've gotten that memo by now with three prior albums' worth (20 million sold worldwide) of forewarning.

Crazy Love starts off on a dramatic note with Arthur Hamilton-penned classic Cry Me a River just like his 2005 album It's Time did with Feelin' Good. Bublé has a go at Georgia on My Mind made most popular by Ray Charles, but his version is very understated and doesn't necessarily take the song to a new level. The album's title track, originally by Van Morrison, is full of warmth and has a place on Adult Contemporary radio alongside previous hit Home; surely this will be a single off the album. Current single I Haven't Met You Met has already broken airplay records in the Canadian Adult Contemporary radio format, debuting in the Top Five; he co-wrote the track with Alan Chang and Amy Foster-Gilles (Foster's daughter). Not bad, but not great.

The second half of the album picks up after a few lulls earlier on. Its finest moment is saved mid-sequence with Hold On, a track showcasing Bublé not just as a crooner but also a great songwriter. Its climax is magical. A pleasant surprise on this collection was a big band interpretation of The Eagles' Heartache Tonight, dead-aimed at Bublé's primary fan base with alarming precision. Tear-inducing At This Moment by Billy Vera & The Beaters is one of my favourite ballads of all time and I was thrilled to hear its inclusion here also. Stardust showcases Bublé's wide emotional range and features beautiful vocal arrangement. The listener is sent-off with a bonus track, a Bossa duet version of Whatever It Takes with Canadian great Rox Sexsmith. Very satisfying.

Listen to the track Crazy Love (courtesy of Warner Music Canada) in full below:

Crazy Love is available in both Standard and Special Editions. The latter includes a second disc of remixes - a very wise marketing move and proof of Bublé's widespread popularity among various demographics. Grade: A-