Michael Bublé has Crazy Love for Tulsa

Tulsa, was the first stop for Michael Bublé’s Crazy Love North American tour, after a series of sold out European shows.  He now starts the second leg of his tour with Naturally 7 the opening act.  Running late, I still loved Naturally 7’s music - an a cappella band, but what a surprise.  The band calls their style “Vocal Play” and uses the same name for their newest album (coming late summer).  It sounds like a full band, but the only instruments are their voices.  Eyes closed you hear guitars, drums, bass, even a harmonica, but all made with the human voice.  I highly recommend them and they were just the opening act.

Nearly packed; the arena crowd was standing in eager anticipation for Michael Bublé.  As he appeared, the crowd went wild in cheers and applause!  It was like the historic footage from Elvis and The Beatles in live shows.  Bublé opened with “Cry Me a River” and had the complete attention of 14,000 adoring fans.

Michael said he really liked Tulsa.  Other than the heat, he enjoyed it here and thought we had some of the nicest people he has ever met.  Even people that didn’t know who he was treated him with gracious Oklahoma hospitality. He said he really enjoyed eating at P.F. Changs and El Guapos Cantina, saying El Guapos had better fajitas than what he’s had in Mexico.

Bublé spoke of his recent engagement to a woman from Argentina.  He had a ring on his wedding finger and said it was tradition for the man to wear a ring during the engagement as well and jokingly said “at least that is what she is telling me.”

Michael went on to sing such favorites as “Mack the Knife," "For Once in My Life" and "Crazy Love.”   Bublé’s jazz-pop sound infused the audience with daunting energy.  He insisted this was not a stuffy concert, but a party with friends and he was right.  He went on to say that not only did he grow up on Sinatra, Martin and others of that genre, but that Michael Jackson was one of his favorites in the 80’s.  What sparked his interests to be an entertainer was the float scene from the movie “Farris Bueller’s Day Off.”  So he then did his rendition of “Billie Jean” (with the hat, dance moves and all) and “Twist and Shout.”   Everyone was enjoying this portion of the show - singing and dancing with the music.

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Photos by: Kevin Pyle

What really drove the fans wild is when he made his way from the main stage and was walking through the crowd to the other end of the arena, giving fist–bumps and shaking hands along the way.  Michael definitely wanted everyone to get the full experience of coming to his show.  He finished the night with his version of “Song for You”, written by Tulsa’s own, Leon Russell, one of Russell’s most famous songs and beloved locally.  Michael Bublé is one of the most likable entertainers of our time, with a flirty personality and humble character he has masterfully combined his love for American classics with contemporary pop.  Michael Bublé showed his Crazy Love for Tulsa, but I assure you Tulsa has Crazy Love for Bublé.