Though the shades of Frank Sinatra and Peter Allen still combat for his soul, in his newly compact disk “Call Me Irresponsible” Michael Buble has ultimately found his own sound and personality. For those who doubt that his channeling Harry Connick Jr. channeling Frank Sinatra schtick is done, jump to his rendition of the Frank Sinatra signature song “That’s Life” and listen to his natural vocal amid the combination of both gospel chorus and big music band.

Looking to other sources of inspiration has led Buble to Billy Paul for “Me And Mrs. Jones” which is done in a more matter-of-fact style than the hand-wringing original; to Jack Jones for the title cut “Call Me Irresponsible” which is more laid back than the original despite the big band arrangement; to Eric Clapton whose “Wonderful Tonight” becomes a lovable Latin love-song with assistance from the great Ivan Lins; and to Willie Nelson whose “Always On My Mind” is a lovely song which gets the well-favored voice it deserves. A wide variety of sources and styles that Michael masters and makes his own.

Two polished adamants that cementum the new identity are “Everything” in which all previous acts upon are absent and it is Michael Buble emerging as his own man and the tender and laid back “I’m Your Man.”

Extra mention must attend the arrangements which swing when they need to and modulate for the tender moments such as “Lost.” The upbeat arrangements of “It Had Better Be Tonight” (which can only be identified as big band Italian salsa) and “Comin’ Home Baby” (with it’s backing vocals from Boyz II Men) are just magnificent.

A must for fans and a step towards world dominance by this Canadian superhero, this is a wonderful leap forward for an creative person who in the past has been weighed down by his influences. But as he warns us all with the compact disk opener, “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

Britney Spears is planning to get her career back on track with a different foray into performing - the vocalist is in talks to prima in fresh movie Memoirs Of A Medicated Baby.
The troubled popular star’s final wide screen outing was in 2002’s Crossroads, but she’s set to make a turn back after producers chose to approach Britney Spears in favour of their original choice, Lindsay Lohan.
Music director Tommy Parker says the NY Post’s gossip column, Page Six, “As far as Britney’s concerned, we’re talking.”
Spears is presently in dialogues to accept the role of the girl of a misdiagnosed mentally-ill patient.

First heard of Paul Potts when I was given a You Tube link. I am completely unfamiliar with this type of music. I thought I was losing my mind when chills danced up my spine and tears came to my eyes as he sang. It was only after reading online that I realized Paul’s voice has the same effect on many people.

The CD came today…I have no idea what he is saying, who else has sang the most of the songs….I just know is voice is breathtakingly beautiful. I am amazed that I bought anything having to do with opera…and that I did is a testament to Paul.

And in response to something he said in one of his videos…Yes, Paul, you are someone. Someone magnificent!

Alicia Keys is best when she is on the keyboards doing her thing. Her lack of vocal depth and upper range will keep her as a mid-range diva for the remainder of her career. I know what I am talking about because I have heard all the best there is on this earth. Living (Jill Scott), dead (Carmen Mcrae) and old (Dionne Warwick/Nancy Wilson)! Musically, the CD shines. The girl with the video friendly looks really is a musician more so than vocalist. She is really straining at times. So badly that I have to advance to the next track. My favorite song is track 10, “I Need You”. So retro, so truly dead on soulful. Love it. I only wish this rest of the CD was like track 10. Number 7, “Wreckless Love” is the only other bright spot on this mix mash of music.

First, let me say that I am a total Josh Groban fanatic and when he is on tour I follow him throughout the country because I love him that much. For me everything Josh Groban records is stunning, and “Noel” is nearly there. Josh’s voice is perfection, and the song arrangement logical and pleasing. I enjoyed “Silent Night”,”Petite Papa Noel” and “Panis Angelicus”. His version of “Ave Maria” was good, but not thrilling as I had hoped it would be.

My personal disappointment regarding this CD centers around the utterly unpleasant, shrieking gospel singers; Faith Hill’s coarse voiced and out of synch duet; and most of all I disliked the inclusion of various soldiers and kids yakking it up on “I’ll be Home for Christmas”. IMO it will instantly date this CD once the Iraq war ends, if ever! Speaking strictly for myself I wish that the production would have been free of this sort of bombast.

Next, although I love David Foster’s work on Josh’s other CDs, particularly “Awake“, on this album the overblown, mega arrangements are just overwhelming, specifically on “O Come All Ye Faithful” in contrast with the intro music on “Silent Night” which was superbly “spatial”, clear and sparse and created a sense of standing in quiet reverence while looking at a starry night. It was entrancing until the mega arrangement came in and blew away the moment. I cannot give this CD a 5 star rating although I will always give Josh Groban a Gazillion Stars Plus for the exquisite quality of his voice. He towers as a GIANT over other popular singers in the current music market. Every concert that I have attended was sold out and a total lovefest for Josh. That tells it’s own story of how much he is revered worldwide.