HALIFAX -- It's Time all right, Buble time.
And that will make my 67-year-old mother very happy.
Vancouver crooner Michael Buble cleaned up at last night's Juno Awards, taking home a leading four trophies including album of the year for It's Time, and single of the year for Home, which he co-wrote.
Buble's other awards were for best artist and best pop album. The latter award was presented on Saturday night during the pre-telecast ceremony, when 32 of the 39 Junos were given out.
"This is a subjective business," said Buble backstage last night holding his Junos in his arms. "It's not necessarily true that the best guy or the best group won tonight. I know that there are some people that hate what I do and there are some people that love what I do and there are some people who just don't give a damn. But my family does, and they're the most important to me."
In fact, Buble got a little teary, recalling that it was his supportive grandfather who introduced him to American standards.
"It's marvellous that a Canadian kid from Burnaby who loves his (Vancouver) Canucks and loves his beer is a small part of continuing the legacy of the great American singers," he said. "This means more to me because I know what it means to my 78-year-old grandpa, who's at home watching me right now. And as much as this means to me, I know it means 50 times more to him. Because when everyone was saying that it wouldn't happen and this music was dead and it was a s--- genre, my grandpa would get really pissed off. He would say, 'My grandson is going to help bring it back!'"
The only trophy the 28-year-old singer, who also performed Home on the televised show, was nominated for but didn't win was the Juno Fan Choice Award, which went to Montreal pop-punk act Simple Plan.
Buble's backstage comments certainly seem to back up the consensus that his wins weren't relective of a year in which Canada continued to produce some of the finest indie pop-rock in the world.
That trend led many to bemoan this year's Juno nominations' domination by mainstream rockers Nickelback (six nods), and Buble and jazz vocalist-pianist Diana Krall (five each).
But at least some of the stars of that indie scene were rewarded. Notably, Montreal indie darlings Arcade Fire won best songwriter, Toronto music collective Broken Social Scene's self-titled third effort picked up alternative album, and Toronto reggae-punk group Bedouin Soundclash were named best new group.
Arcade Fire is in the studio and didn't attend the Junos, but both Broken Social Scene -- 16 members strong including last year's double Juno winner Feist -- and Bedouin Soundclash performed on the Juno show in front of some 7,500 people at the Halifax Metro Centre.
Other performers last night included British pop-rock band Coldplay and L.A. hip-pop quartet Black Eyed Peas.
Martin was his boisterous self, asking a fan in the front row for a cellphone during the group's performance so he could make a call. He later introduced Hall Of Famer Bryan Adams.
"I love him very much," said Martin, who kept screwing up Adams' accomplishments. "He just hugged me backstage which was, to be honest, arousing."
After performing 18 'Til I Die, Adams countered his accomplishments by saying: "Canada is a great place to come from. Had I started anywhere else but Vancouver, I would not be here tonight."
Buble's schmaltz factor aside, it's hard to ignore the fact that the singer, who interprets romantic standards, has definitely been enjoying his best year ever.
He was nominated for his first Grammy, enjoyed sales of 5 million worldwide for It's Time, and Home spent 35 weeks at No. 1. He also recorded a duet with one of his heroes, Tony Bennett, for Bennett's new album coming in September, and is currently touring the U.S.
His big Juno victory meant defeat for rockers Nickelback, who were also up for album and single.
Still, the group, who also performed on the Juno show, didn't go home empty handed, picking up two trophies on Saturday night for best group and best rock album for All The Right Reasons.
Producer of the year went to Canadian folk-rock icon Neil Young on Saturday night.
Young led the list of double Juno winners, which included Nickelback, The Tragically Hip and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.
Krall and Canadian Idol Kalan Porter proved to be the Junos' biggest losers this year. Krall won only one of the five she was up for as Christmas Songs won best vocal jazz album on Saturday night. Porter went zero for his three nominations.
