It’s Christmas Eve and I bet you a lot of stockings have Michael Buble’s new album ‘Love’ int hem/ Do people still do that, though? Buy physical music? Buble is a crowd-pleaser, for sure, and his new disc is  a safe gift – you just know whoever you give it to will love it.

i didn’t much like this album, and tat even surprised me because I have loved his records for the most part. I thought this lacked something – energy. Ir felt perfunctory. I felt he was uninspired and to my ears, it showed. And I can’t figure out why – David Foster is producing, and one of my favorite pianists Alan Broadbent is on the helm as well. Why else would they do  ‘suspenseful’ arrangement of ‘My Funny Valentine,’ one of the most romantic songs ever written? And he couldn’t even make ‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’ syrupy sweet. I like Charlie Puth and his song here ”Love You Anymore’ fell flat (I had to listen to it a couple of times to be sure) There is a bright spot in ‘La Vie En Rose,’ but maybe because he duets it with Cecile McLorin Salvant, and she is fantastic. I know Buble has gone through a lot the past couple of months, so I will give him a pass.