An Evening With Michael Bublé, Live At The Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA, August 30, 2022

Photos by Karin Ricci

Large stadium concerts have never been my favorite places to watch live music. Unfortunately, in the case of many of planet Earth's most popular artists they're the only venues I'll ever have a chance to enjoy them until they reach legacy status and play smaller concert halls many years from now. Such is the case with Michael Bublé who performed for almost two hours in Philadelphia's not-quite-sold-out basketball and hockey arena, The Wells Fargo Center.

Bublé performed many of his best-known songs - twenty-four in all - in a mostly energetic, flashy extravaganza featuring everything from neon lights to pyrotechnics. It was Vegas all the way but that isn't a criticism because even with several hi-def video screens offering closeups the concert-goer's intimacy 

with the performer just wasn't there. That meant big entertainment became the modus operandi for the evening.

Bublé endeared himself to the local crowd early in the set by acknowledging the uniqueness of Philadelphia audiences and how tough they can be to please. Then, as a little joke the locals lived up to their stereotype and booed the star. He appreciated the stunt, smiled and played along. Bublé also made a reference to Gritty - The Philadelphia Flyers' ugly but popular hockey mascot - to loud applause.

Bublé sang a number of songs from the days of the Great American Songbook, an era he said he greatly appreciates. Nat King Cole's "L-O-V-E" was the third song in the set, and you can see him singing it in the aisle separating the band in the photo above. The star also covered Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" with just his piano player. He told the audience he wanted to treat it differently than the way he recorded it for his album - an arrangement that featured one hundred and thirty musicians.  Early on, he also performed "When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles with You)" a piece associated with everyone from Judy Garland to Louis Armstrong. Also included was his version of Julie London's "Cry Me a River." Dean Martin's "Sway" was another highlight.

The British Columbia native also sang more recent works - many of them from the R&B world that fit in well with an orchestral setting. Included were Marvin Gaye's "How Sweet It Is," The Drifters ("Save the Last Dance for Me") and Sam Cooke's "Bring It on Home to Me." He also covered Barry White.

While admitting he hasn't seen the recent biopic on Elvis Presley, Bublé told us that he is friends with Presley's ex-wife, Priscilla, and as a tribute to the man he sang a medley of tunes associated with the late King of Rock 'n Roll, at times sounding a lot like the late and still much-loved singer.

The recent father of four also performed a handful of his own songs, most notably upbeat takes of "Haven't Met You Yet," and "It's a Beautiful Day."

The jazz-pop entertainer was supported by a large, approximately thirty-piece orchestra and a host of background singers. Prior to the encore, each member of the outstanding unit was introduced individually on the video screen, a nice touch that showed the boss has a lot of class.

By the look of the attendees Bublé's appeal is cross-generational. There are only a few vocalists - Harry Connick, Diana Krall, and Seth McFarland immediately come to mind - that mine the archives the way the evening's host does on a regular basis. There should be more. Regardless, Bublé is the best of them all.

 

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