For die-hard Michael Bolton fans the new DVD is a must-have!
"Live at the Royal Abert Hall" is chock-ful of lots of Bolton goodies, after all.
In addition to a dozen or so of his popular hits (When a Man loves a Woman, Georgia on my Mind, How am I supposed to live without you) there is an insightful one-on-one in-depth interview - that not only reveals a fun light-hearted side of his personality - but also takes an intriguing look into the creative process and collaborations with major artsists such as Lady Gaga, Cher, Laura Branigan for instance.
In one segment, for example, Michael recalled the first time the record company arranged for his lodgings.
When the handsome performer checked into the Hotel in question, he was so taken aback by the spaciousness of the hotel suite, that he plucked up the phone right away (no cells in those days) and excitedly put in a call to his wife.
"You should see this. I have one room that is the bedroom..But, there's this other room," he continued, as he struggled to describe the swank digs.
Of course, he was referring to the main suite where the acrruements of success - designer sofa, fancy ice bucket, booze, tasty snacks, wide-screen TV, mini-fridge - undersore that an artist has been elevated to superstar status.
Those perks - set forth in specific detail in a company memo - are a big deal in the contract negotiations.
It is said that Frank Sinatra always demanded a couple of boxes of kleenex, tea (for his voice), bottled water, and a few other quirky privileges to make him feel at home in what is normally a boring hotel setting without much personality or warmth.
As to Bolton, he looks great!
For folks like myself - who recall the flowing hippie locks in the early days of his career - it is still difficult to get used to Bolton with the ultra-short tidy cut of today.
"When I started out, the hair was long, and I wore granny glasses," he grinned.
Uh-huh.
"That was the John Lennon influence."
One of the advantages of screening a DVD on a laptop?
It's a snap to zoom in and scrutinize the subject up-close and personal.
Bolton has aged well.
There's still a boyish aspect to his character that wins over those who cross his steady path
One of his greatest thrills?
Pop Diva Lady Gaga sought out a collaboration with the seasoned pro out-of-the-blue about four months before her 1st album was to be released.
OMG!
Was that a surprise?
You bet!
He noted that when he first walked through the studio doors in Los Angeles, her charismatic persona smacked him in the face.
The little whirlwind had all the makings of a big star!
Oftentimes, Bolton and Gaga toiled away at the dinner hour and on past the witching hour, to the crack of dawn the next morning.
There wasn't any hanky-panky, according to the prolific artist.
I guess the embers of passion weren't stoked!
"I did take her and her mother out to dinner, though," Bolton blushed like a dutiful son.
Bolton's daughter was - like totally - impressed.
You worked with Lady Gaga?
Awesome!
On the DVD, there is also an entertaining segment referred to as the "Countdown".
Here, the record company has compiled a lot of behind-the-scenes backstage footage shot on the day of the big concert at Royal Albert Hall (England).
Fans will no doubt gobble up these scenes because oftentimes it is the invisible seam (the magic glue of artisans) that are the most intriguing aspect of a musical extravaganza like Michael's.
There is a brief History of the music venue - Royal Albert Hall - in addition to upbeat clips of chats with the locals, rehearsals, Michael preparing for the sold-out gig, and so forth and so on.
If you weren't there, the DVD is the next best thing.
As to the actual performances on the tracks?
In a couple of cases, the quality of the material is uneven.
"That's life" was pretty much butchered by Bolton.
From the first opening bar to the last - Bolton persisted with a strident forceful rendition - totally devoid of inflection, passion, or hints about life's lessons well-learned.
Sinatra must be turning over in his grave.
Also, there was a sameness to a larger percentage of the tunes, that dragged the overall concert down to new lows for Bolton.
Sadly, Bolton didn't always hit the high notes with ease (like he once did).
In a couple of instances, his pipes were rusty!
The talented musician didn't disappoint with the golden strains of - "When a Man loves a Woman" - on the other hand.
Actually, for the most part, Bolton soared when he crooned the old standards (the heartfelt hits that made him an International singing sensation around the planet).
Sometimes the handsome musician was a bit stiff on stage, too.
Gravity kicking in?
I confess, by the end of the performance, the lone grey shirt and slacks he wore throughout were distracting.
No discernible fashion sense (or style), Sir!
No guest artists, either.
Cheap!
Once Michael got settled in for the night, his limbs magically began to float and jive naturally to the beat - at which point - the rapt audience was swept down memory lane.
Songs often trigger memories of our youth because they often reflect an era - or recall major events in our lives - that are indelibly etched in our hearts, minds, and souls forever.
Bolton's tunes are a part of that rich motherload - the reason why - his music (his legacy) still resonates (and remains relevant today).
Bolton never started out to be a country singer, or a rock star, so he says.
"I just started with the idea for a song based on what I felt with no particular style in mind."
Bolton's hard rock band (Blackjack) once toured with heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourn.
Michael Bolton began recording solo under his name in 1975.
He his first major hit - "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" - sprang from a fruitful partnership with Laura Branigan (Gloria).
Branigan's recording became No. 1 with a bullet on the Adult Contemporary chart for three weeks in 1983.
Bolton also co-wrote "I Found Someone" for Branigan (1985).
Unfortunately the version she pressed to vinyl was only a minor hit.
Cher lucked out when she revamped the song two years later.
The unexpected chart-topper jolted her sagging singing career back into the stratosphere.
Bolton is best-known for his musical musings in the adult contemporary/easy listening style of the eighties and nineties.
An original rendition of the Otis Redding classic - (Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay - garnered him many plaudits.
On the heels of that success, the balladeer proceeded to wow fans and critics alike with the precious standard "Georgia On My Mind".
In 1991, Bolton released the album "Time, Love & Tenderness".
Most of Bolton's recordings tend to be lifted from his own original material; however, he has also written top-notch compositions for Patti LaBelle, Conway Twitty, Kiss, Kenny Rogers, Kenny G, Barbra Streisand, and Peabo Bryson.
A large part of Bolton's success was (and has been) in his keen ability to team with the right collaborators.
Bolton's early songwriting contributors included Doug James and Mark Mangold - and in later years - high-profile writers such as BabyFace, Diane Warren, and Bob Dylan.
Bolton never shied away from taking the stage with seasoned performers, either.
He has warbled with Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, José Carreras, Lucia Aliberti, Renée Fleming, Zucchero, BB King,Patti LaBelle, Céline Dion, Ray Charles, Percy Sledge, and Wynonna Judd.
Bolton's last Top 40 single in the US was the hit - "Go the Distance" - featured in the Walt Disney soundtrack for the motion picture Hercules in 1997 (if I am not mistaken).
The tune peaked at #1 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart.
Bolton released - "One World One Love" - in the UK in 2009.
The first single titled - "Just One Love" - was released in September of the same year.
In addition to the Royal Albert Hall concert DVD, Bolton boasts a new album.
When I have the opportunity to give it a listen up, I will pass on my thoughts.
As promised last week - the first 5 people to read this Michael Bolton review (and send me an e-mail with their name and address) - will receive a free copy of Michael's new DVD titled:
"Live at the Royal Albert Hall"
E-mail your request to me at:
i.julian@yahoo.com
Please incude the following information:
Name
Address
Good luck!
Sexy Bolton of yesteryear!
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