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LOS ANGELES : Michael Bublé has quite a success story to tell.
It could almost be a fairy tale, if it weren't so obvious how much of himself this self-confessed workaholic puts into everything he does.
Looking tired but relaxed in a casual jacket and jeans, the 31-year-old Canadian crooner took time out recently to meet this reporter for a chat in Los Angeles.
As he sat down, Bublé took a deep breath and lightly rolled his shoulders to combat the exhaustion that seemed to be seeping into his eyes courtesy of a gruelling schedule of rehearsals and public appearances.
He was in town to promote his latest album, Call Me Irresponsible, which he described as "my remark on the state of love".
The album comes out in Singapore next week.
Disarmingly funny in person, Bublé smiled easily when answering questions in that rich, warm voice of his, which only reinforced why so many fans throughout the world have fallen in love with his music.
Still, as popular as he has become thanks to a series of jazz and big band influenced albums like 2005's It's Time and hit singles such as 2005's Home, the singer came across as nothing so much as a regular Joe.
"I can be irresponsible, we all can. Not that I think that being irresponsible is always a bad thing," he said.
"I think that sometimes it can be sweet and maybe refreshing."
Pausing for effect and to crack a boyish grin, he added: "Yeah, I can be irresponsible. I can forget the odd phone, sunglasses or... car."
Bringing back the old
It's these kind of wisecracks, not to mention Bublé's music and on-stage presence, that have been transporting listeners back to the era of slick operators like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Tony Bennett ever since the singer exploded onto the international music scene in 2003.
Born in a suburb of Vancouver, the soft-spoken Italian-Canadian singer grew up listening to his grandfather's collection of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Mills Brothers records.
Aware from a young age that this was the type of music he wanted to sing, Bublé was fortunate enough to have a grandfather who nurtured his talent by offering free work to musicians, in exchange for letting the youngster perform with them on stage.
By the age of 17, Bublé had a wealth of experience under his belt but struggled in obscurity until a performance at the wedding of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's daughter brought him to the attention of multi-Grammy- winning producer David Foster.
The 2003 album that followed, Michael Bublé, was an international smash, going Top 10 in the United Kingdom and Canada. It also earned the singer his first Juno award — the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy — for Best New Talent in 2004.
Joking that he had originally wanted to name his follow-up album, It's Hammer Time, Bublé chuckled and said simply: "It was time for this music to be on top again."
The singer got his wish, with his next album, It's Time, selling more than five million copies, staying atop the Billboard Traditional Jazz chart for a staggering two years and holding onto the No 1 slot for more than 80 weeks.
Music sans borders
With over 11 million albums sold since his breakthrough, Bublé could be expected to have let his status as a multi-platinum-selling artist and two-time Grammy nominee go to his head.
On the contrary, however, he dismissed suggestions that he was responsible for the ongoing old-school revival — highlights include Bublé's interpretations of standards such as Fever and The Way You Look Tonight — and expressed only humble gratitude that he was the one who had the chance to bridge generations with these songs.
Asked what he thinks of the fact that many parents are finding their children's iPods stuffed with classics, Bublé's eyes creased with delight.
"It's more than anyone could ever ask for — to have your music transcend borders, generations, colour and creed just because you're singing timeless music," he said.
"It's wonderful, unexpected and delightful and I couldn't be more thrilled."
And it's not only his songs that could be described as transcendent. Bublé has developed a familiar trademark performance style that perfectly compliments his music. His explosive star shines brightest when he's grinning in the spotlight onstage, where his mere presence seems enough to set fans swooning.
"I just love getting in front of people. It's so important to be in touch with your audience," he said.
"They've paid their money. I want them to be entertained. If they want to cry or laugh or dance or sing or yell, they can do whatever they want. My responsibility is just to take them away."
A record to call his own
Call Me Irresponsible is Bublé's latest attempt to do just that.
"I'm proud of it," was the singer's straightforward assessment of his latest album. "I worked really hard and we had a good time. It was exhausting but I really wanted listeners to feel it emotionally."
However, much as his fans might be expecting the album to offer more of the same things that drew them to their idol in the first place, Bublé clearly isn't the type to rest on his laurels.
"I'm trying to gradually grow into making records that are Michael Bublé records, and I feel that this one really is a Michael Bublé record," he said.
"I made a trade: I traded off slickness and perfection for emotional truth, reality, rawness. I wanted to show growth without alienation and I think that if you enjoyed the last two albums you'll very much enjoy this one. It's definitely going to be more interesting for the listener."
The new album features two original pieces by Bublé: Lost and the runaway hit Everything, which is already the most requested song on MediaCorp Radio's Class 95FM.
When told about this, Bublé was wide-eyed.
"Unbelievable!" he said with obvious pride.
"I can't tell you what kind of flattery that is for me. It means a lot to me that something that I wrote means something to other people across the world. It's just amazing."
Of the years of obscurity he endured to get where he is, Bublé just smiled and said: "I think that as you're going through the struggle you feel like everyone else feels — impatient and scared and nervous, but when you finally get your chance you're so happy because you've paid your dues and you've learned your craft.
"I wouldn't trade the struggle for the world because it has made me appreciate everything that I have today. We're touring over 47 countries in two years. It's my joy. I can't wait to do this." - TODAY/fa
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