MICHAEL BUBLE, E Center, March 31.
WEST VALLEY — With his shadow cast on a hanging curtain, the intro began and Michael Buble burst onto the stage with a brass soaked rendition of "Cry Me a River" to kick off his "Crazy Love" tour stop in Salt Lake City.
Wearing his trademark black suit, white shirt and black tie, Buble transitioned into "All of Me" before greeting the crowd gathered at the E Center.
"I was in this same arena last time I was here, but there weren't this many people in it."
Noting that this was the ninth stop on a "300-something" tour, Buble talked with the thrilled crowd about how much has changed since he was here last. "I got engaged, for one thing."
Before settling into a set that included "Mack the Knife," "Everything" and "Crazy Love," Buble noted that the night out wouldn't be worth it if we all didn't have fun, "otherwise you may as well stay home and listen to my CD — the bathroom lines are shorter."
"This is your night, my loves. Have fun with me." With that, Buble played host to a party with 10,000 of his closest friends.
He was charming and warm and still shows a love for the music he sings and the fans that support him.
He didn't stop often, but when he did he was just as comfortable talking — about life in the public eye, his fiancée wanting him to wear an engagement ring and his boyhood dream of being like Michael Jackson. He even did a quick version of Jackson's "Billie Jean," complete with a hat-toss at the end.
He reminisced about when he decided to become a singer. "It was 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off.' The float scene." With that, the band kicked into "Twist and Shout," white beach balls were tossed into the crowd, and Buble himself walked out through the aisle, shaking hands and stopping at a platform in the middle of the arena floor. Fans gathered close, and he sang the 2005 hit song that he co-wrote, "Home."
He took a breather at one point and let his band steal the spotlight as he bee-bopped on a stool, enjoying every riff of the 13 talented players.
He encored with "Feeling Good," "Mrs. Jones" and "A Song for You," then thanked Utah fans for not being a "Wednesday night crowd."
Buble warmly thanked his fans, "moms and dad who had to get baby sitters, college students with high tuition, and the folks who got or gave tickets as Christmas presents. I'll come back a million times if you'll have me."
e-mail: ehansen@desnews.com