This is the tenth in a 13 post long series about my favorite artists and their best music. To check out my previous entry on this series, click here.
We now get to my Fab Four: a 21st century crooner, the highest selling artist of all time, a jazz stand out, and an American Idol champion. Together making up the rest of my list. They are nostalgic, whether on the more recent side of things, older enough to have passed away, or just plain awesome - the elite with nothing else needed to be said.
So without further ado, hailing from British Columbia Canada, I present to you, our generation's Frank Sinatra (and maybe a bit better I might add).
Favorite Artists of All Time Series
Michael Bublé
Ranking: #4
Genre: Traditional Pop - Jazz/Pop - Rock - Swing - Big Band - Blue-Eyed Soul
Best Song: Lost
Mr. Michael Bublé. Yes, he's the "21st Century Crooner" that I mentioned above. He's a classy dude. Well... most the time anyways. As with many of the artists on the list, herein lies another singer I grew up listening to as a kid.
And I hated him.
I know I know. I was narrow minded. I myself can't figure out why I was so stupid then (cause I've improved so much since LOL). But hey. I like all music now... except country, sans a little Keith Urban here and there. I'd say my mind has widened a little. Right? Regardless. I love this guy now. As Bruno Mars is the 21st century's Michael Jackson, so is Bublé to the great Frank Sinatra. But maybe even better so - mixing in all sorts of sounds with each release including big band, jazz, pop, rock, soul, and even some indie/country - although he may at times seem one dimensional despite that. It's mainly due to his voice which is fantastic, but has been solidly consistent throughout his career. If you aren't a huge fan of his voice to begin with, you won't love most of his stuff. But of course, I am. Maybe it's the nostalgia that helps keep Bublé a go to time and again. It's hard not to groove to "Feeling Good" or dance stupidly to "Haven't Met You Yet".
You might be thinking, "huh. Doesn't sound like he's overly in love with Michael. So how is he number four?"
Well let me ask you: what artist is perfect? None. But the fact that he's got at least four entire albums that I enjoy listening to plus many miscellaneous from his other five is an incredible testament to that his music is all plain good at worst, but wonderful at best.
His albums It's Time, and Call Me Irresponsible, are favorites of mine and I highly recommend them all. Nobody But Me (his most recent release) was a fun listen that while it seemed more like a pop fluff album, hit enough of the good vibes to save onto my music with seven top notch tracks on multiple playlists. But that still isn't enough to overcome Twenty One Pilots - until this:
Christmas.
Acting as my all time favorite holiday album ever, Bublé did everything right with this album, doing traditional songs that reminisced back to the great holiday singers of the 30's, 40's, and 50's but yet mixed it with fun pop that's not bad (and that's saying something).
Bublé has become known for fun concerts and specifically his annual Christmas Special concert which has been around since the release of his titular holiday album in 2011.
Kicking around since 1996, Bublé has most certainly been around the block, holding nine Grammy's and three chart topping albums to his well known (and unique at that) name, and is held in respect by those who like him or don't due to the success he's garnered and how hard he had to work to get to where he is. After taking a short hiatus to support his 3 year old son who was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, he just announced a couple days ago that he's staging a comeback now that his son is doing much better (hallelujah).
You want a classic singer who harks to all the big band sounds with a stellar voice to boot? This man is the one for you. His voice is infectious, and is truly the driving force for all his music, whether big and boisterous, or chill, smooth, and meticulous, he has created a career that revolves around his booming voice - and it's worked thus far.
Now that you get the gist, go and get one of his albums - starting with Call Me Irresponsible, his very best album and the one that made me decide I actually liked him. Then hit up Christmas. You won't be disappointed.
Or just listen to my personal playlist I made, his Greatest Hits:
Best Songs:
*honorable mentions
God Only Knows (Beach Boys Cover) - Nobody But Me; A much quieter and softer version of this famed Beach Boys tune, it's worth a listen to with the piano and the cello backing Bublé
Someday ft. Meghan Trainor - Nobody But Me; This fun love song between Bublé and rising star Meghan Trainor holds all the typical sounds you'd hear in one (including the ukulele), but yet it's still hard not to like it either
Cold December Night - Christmas; An original song by Bublé that's still an absolute favorite from the album
Quando, Quando, Quando with Nelly Furtado (Tony Renis Cover) - It's Time; This Italian original brings a magical feel with the instruments standing out while Bublé and Furtado flirt and talk about their shared feelings, wondering when, when, when they will actually be together.
12. You Don't Know Me (Eddy Arnold Cover) - It's Time
A story of a man who loves a woman but to her will always think of him as "that" friend despite how he longs for her, to then watch her walk away with another guy. Great vocal performance by Michael as always here.
11. Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen Cover) - Michael Bublé
An Elvis Presley styled Queen original turned into a big-band rock song by Michael (holy genres and artists Batman), it's short and to the point, keeping a brisk and up beat pace, as Bublé has fun the whole way through.
10. A Foggy Day (Fred Astaire Cover) - It's Time
When I go back to when I hated Bublé, this is the song that comes to mind, I think that is due to the fact that it was the most popular Bublé song among the sibs and parents, and year later I figured out why, so the bad taste in my mouth from this song turned to a great one. A song stating that despite the boredom and gloomy like town that he's in, the love of his life shines brightly. You can't help but feel like you're day will turn around by the end of this song as Bublé exudes hope and joy.
9. It's A Beautiful Day - To Be Loved
Rarely do musicians write songs about how HAPPY they are they're breaking up with said partner. Well here Michael is overjoyed, and even if it were to start raining, it would still be a beautiful day because she's the one who got away, and life couldn't be better because of it. A great tune to get your day started, with a light color palette of music that never once is said nor depressing.
I'm not always a huge fan of all the "original works" by Bublé, but this is one of the ones I do enjoy thoroughly.
8. White Christmas ft. Shania Twain (Bing Crosby Cover) - Christmas
Who can't get behind this almost comical take on what may just be the greatest Christmas song ever? With the chorus of bass singers sounding like complete idiots and a random singer i the background going "ah" as Bublé and Twain sing about snow. Despite it's fun side, it still maintains what was so great about it in the first place, meshing
new and old perfectly.
7. Home - It's Time
This song is just brilliant on all accounts. Combining the sounds of different musical styles as he sings about the places he's been passing through, but at the heart of it, he misses his girl, wanting to go home asap. Giving a guitar pop sound, but add the layer of a classic orchestra, some french sounding accordion, a smooth electric jazz, and some country twangs here and there, and this is one loaded but perfectly balanced song.
6. Nobody But Me - Nobody But Me
The title track from Bublé's 2016 album did not disappoint. And honestly, it really is a disappointment when a title track for an album is the weakest link - let alone not great *cough*Kris Allen*cough* (more on that some other time). But unlike the aforementioned artist, Bublé hits it out of the park with this track about a man not ashamed on how selfish he is with his girl and doesn't want no guy loving his baby but him. Add the fun brass section and percussion, and this is a staple song of Michael's.
5. Feeling Good (Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse Cover) - It's Time
C'mon. You knew this one would show up. Pretty much anyone who doesn't know Bublé knows this song. For many it's *the* Michael Bublé. Confident, cool, and full of swagger that's needed to pull off this track, this will go down as one of Bublé's greatest success, and rightfully so. It's so simple with the same four chord progression, yet so many times peolpe feel they need to do more to make something "cool", yet Michael knew otherwise. Less was more here, amplifying the awesomeness that much more.
4. Haven't Met You Yet - Crazy Love
Next to "Feeling Good", many would consider this *the* Michael Bublé song. It's on the radio. Like. A lot. But let me ask you this? Even the song's main point is one that I haven't heard many sing on. While it's still a love song, it takes on a different perspective (similar to "It's A Beautiful Day) of the said subject. Even the opening piano sound has become relatively famous among 21st century radio listeners. It's got that awesome trumpet solo to... So ya, whole lotta good here people.
3. Everything - Call Me Irresponsible
This could be the ultimate love song. Michael lists all the great things in life, stating the love of his life is like all those things. One of the few pop songs Bublé wrote that's actually quite superb, Everything, specifically it's melody, will have you hooked in no time.
2. Save The Last Dance For Me (The Drifters Cover) - It's Time
A bubbly feel that sparkles the whole way through, "Save The Last Dance" will have you dancing and not paying attention to anything else as every instrument and Bublé are at the top of their game, ending with a resounding finish.
1. Lost - Call Me Irresponsible
A song that's heartfelt, sad but exudes hope while believing that we will overcome all. Inspired by the breakup between Bublé and his at-the-time fiancée, this will always be THE Michael Bublé song, reminding me how great he is, and that he can write some truly great and powerful stuff.
Agree? Disagree? Bit a both? Let me know your thoughts and check out other content on my site!