WEDNESDAY
Click here for details of
the "Broadway Goes to the Movies" show |
|
A Thought for Today
Everything we do or say must be considered as only a moment in
a continuing tradition; otherwise tradition dies.
This
One Does It For Me!
We're all pretty well versed in the relationship Rod had with Frank
Sinatra. His admiration for the great man is apparent for all to see and is well
documented elsewhere on this site. We also know all about that wonderful
album he penned for Mr. Sinatra, "A Man Alone." Lovers of McKuen music tend to be
Sinatra fans as well; I know I certainly am.
So when I discovered that USA Today, CNN and other entertainment
commentators were touting a new kid on the block as being the next
Sinatra, I felt further investigation was required. What a discovery it
turned out to be!
Michael Bublé (pronounced boo-blay) has got to be one of the finest
talents to have come our way in the past decade. His self-titled debut
album has gone platinum in his home country Canada as well as Singapore
and South Africa. It's passed the gold mark in the United Kingdom,
Australia, New Zealand and a host of other countries.
It's a great album and the guiding hand of industry luminaries such as
David Foster and Paul Anka is much in evidence. The choice of material is
clever without being too cute and ranges from Sinatra standards through
The Bee Gees, George Michael Van Morrison and Lou Rawls. In other words, something for everyone.
And man, does Mr. Bublé swing!
In case you think I'm over enthusiastic about this new talent
consider this reaction from some regular Flight Plan readers. Sherilyn,
after hearing the album for the first time, went straight out and bought another
copy for her Mother, a long time Sinatra devotee. Dolores, as only she
could, listened to the whole album in her car without even leaving the
parking lot. She then promptly went back into the store to pick up some
more copies for distribution to friends and relatives.
Last weekend, thanks to the generosity of our daughters who presented us
with a pair of tickets to commemorate our 29th wedding anniversary,
Priscilla and I were privileged to attend Michael's final Johannesburg
concert at Carnival City which closed off a lightening visit to this
country.
As good as his debut album is it didn't prepare me for Bublé live. He has
a stage presence which is nothing short of remarkable for one so young (he's only 25);
it took him all of 30 seconds to wrap the audience up in the palm of his
hand and he kept them there for the duration of the show. This presence,
combined with his marvelous voice and a surprisingly good sound system for
a venue of this nature, provided us with a memorable evening of
entertainment.
Michael has a great sense of humor and is alarmingly direct when it comes
to describing what he and his band do for a living.
"We make people horny," he says with a glint in his eye.
I'd never thought of it in quite this manner before but he's right, of
course. Now I know why Rod has been as successful as he has over such a
long period of time!
By now you'll have realized I'm a big Bublé fan. Go buy his CD and listen
to it with someone you love. And if his show comes anywhere remotely near
your town, do not miss it.
Priscilla and Ken Blackie
with Michael Bublé at Carnival City, Johannesburg, October 11, 2003. Photo
by André Gilbertson, courtesy Gallo Music Group.
An added bonus to our evening was a very quick meeting with Michael prior
to his going on stage for the final performance. I took this opportunity
to present him with, on behalf of Rod and Stanyan Music, a mint condition
vinyl copy of "A Man Alone". Just our way of saying thanks for keeping the
faith and the Sinatra flag flying. He was genuinely touched and most
appreciative.
Now, I'm not behind the door when it comes to promoting our Rodney's work
so I also included a number of McKuen albums in the package. I can think
of a whole host of McKuen songs I'd like to hear Michael sing so let's
hope he draws some inspiration from these albums and that we get to hear
his rendition of some McKuen material sooner rather than later.
Michael Bublé is a very nice young man and a supremely talented
one. As he said when referring to some of the great artists no longer with
us, "when one flame goes out another is lit." I, for one, hope the Bublé flame
continues to burn brightly for many years to come.
Grateful thanks for
facilitating the meet and the photograph to Lauren of Big
Concerts and André Gilbertson of Gallo Music Group.
- Ken, Johannesburg,
South Africa, October 22
Click on the heart logo to
buy Rod McKuen books, CD's and lots more
Click
on the Stanyan House logo to subscribe to the McKuen Mailing List
Catch Rod McKuen live!
Click on the links below for details of
concerts and appearances.
ROD McKUEN
CONCERTS
ROD
McKUEN APPEARANCES
|
