Michael Bublé's "Call Me Irresponsible", which already had worldwide sales of 3.5 million, according to Warner Music International, is back on the march. The set is up 26-4 overall in its 33rd chart week and was helped by a new two-CD tour edition, and live and promotional dates in Europe, including one on the U.K.'s "The X-Factor" on December 8th. That's after a U.K. climb of 21-3 (on new sales of 107,000) and a 13-1 leap in Ireland. The album is now a big festive hit, re-entering the top ten in many countries eight months after it was first released. Meanwhile, Michael's 'Let It Snow' is No.2 on iTunes' list of bestselling holiday albums of 2007.

 

Michael is a critically acclaimed Grammy-nominated, multiple Juno Award-winning entertainer. As with his previous two 143/Reprise bestsellers, 2003’s self-titled debut and 2005’s multi-platinum follow-up "It’s Time", "Call Me Irresponsible" boasts more of Michael’s buoyant, modern interpretations of standards from a variety of eras, including songs by such greats as Leonard Cohen, Eric Clapton, Cy Coleman, Gamble and Huff, and others, as well as two self-penned originals, including the first single, the uplifting love song called “Everything.”

His new CD, which he calls “my remark on the state of love,” contains a depth of feeling that will surprise and delight long-term fans and impress those new to his music. “To me, what’s different about this CD is that it has a certain raw emotion because I recorded many of these songs live in the studio.” Michael introduces the electrifying, impeccably orchestrated set to follow with the opening track, Cy Coleman’s “The Best Is Yet To Come,” (made famous by Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and others).

There’s the exhilarating, salsa-flavored “It Had Better Be Tonight,” written by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini, which he attacks with a hot-blooded vengeance—“another very sexy song…and edgy.” From there, he takes on “Me and Mrs. Jones,” the 1972 Gamble and Huff classic popularized by soul singer Billy Paul. “David (Foster) brought it to me, I’d never actually heard it before,” Michael says. “We wanted it to be authentic and tell the story.” Next up is Leonard Cohen’s “I’m Your Man” from the Canadian singer/songwriter’s 1988 album of the same name. “I always thought it was a wonderful song — desperate, sexy, and dark,” he says.“I actually called Leonard and told him I was afraid of performing it live. When he asked me why, I said because he’d written too sexy of a song and I was afraid men were going to throw their underpants at me. He just laughed and said, ‘I wouldn’t worry too much about that.’”

Also, a swinging, hep-cat version of Mel Tormé’s 1962 pop hit “Comin’ Home Baby,” featuring vocals from Boys II Men; and a sentimental, self-penned ballad “Lost,” co-written with Chang and Canadian singer-songwriter Jann Arden. “It’s an anthem for star-crossed lovers,” Michael says. “Sometimes relationships don’t work out because love isn’t enough, but that doesn’t mean you have to discard the person. There is a way to end a relationship and still be there when they need you. That’s basically what it’s about.”

 

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