Michael Buble – Special Delivery EP (2010)

01. – These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You) (4:38)
02. – Softly As I Leave You (3:47)
03. – Dream a Little Dream of Me (3:09)
04. – I’m Beginning to See the Light (2:50)
05. – Mack the Knife (3:20)
06. – Orange Colored Sky (3:28)

With "Special Delivery," Michael Buble continues to bring his own brand of cool to some of the most enduring standards. He also throws in one of his reinterpretations of a not-so-classic, in this case the Bobby Darin/Frank Sinatra hit, "Softly, as I Leave You." It's the kind of soft rock schlock that Buble has a particular affection for...but I don't, hence the four stars. But hey, the man has earned the right to record whatever he likes, and it's a formula that obviously works.

He also loses one star for, once again, releasing tracks in piecemeal. I know the guy is busy, but this has obviously become a strategy for Buble and his label; it's one I find particularly annoying. I suppose in this digital age when people (including myself) simply add songs to mp3 playlists, it doesn't really matter if it's six songs or ten. But I miss the days when recording artists spent most of their energies recording. With the unending pool of standards out there (Buble doesn't need to wait around for new material) and the effortlessness with which he performs them, he should be releasing two 12-track albums a year.

Look, it may sound as if I'm carping here, but I'm really not. "Special Delivery" is special indeed, as is most of what Mr. B. puts out there. I'm a diehard fan, and will continue to buy whatever becomes available. I just wish there were more of it. I guess that's as significant a compliment as I can offer. --- David Cady

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