Paul Anka: Live in Switzerland

Canadian-American crooner Paul Anka presents a vintage Vegas-style show in this 2011 Swiss engagement that plays like an oldies revue. Anka can sing more energetically than most 70-year-old entertainers, even if he projects more than necessary—much like latter-period Sinatra (for whom he adapted “My Way”)—and he's got the smooth moves down to a science. Accompanied by the Jon Crosse Orchestra—featuring brass, strings, and piano—Anka kicks off the two-dozen song set with "Diana," wandering through the crowd and sharing verses in a had-to-be-there moment. Fortunately, the singer spends the rest of the set on stage (aside from a second walkabout during "Eso Beso”), as he serves up a wide range of numbers, including a samba version of Stevie Wonder's "For Once in My Life," and Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife," which Anka prefaces with a few comments about his late friend. Anka also shares words about Michael Jackson with whom he co-wrote "This Is It”—and hearing Jackson's disembodied voice issue from the speakers is both cool and spooky. That posthumous duet aside, there isn't much surprising in these selections (which include Anka's signature hit, “Lonely Boy”), although the swing band take on Van Halen's "Jump" (from 2005's Rock Swings) does shake things up a bit. Unfortunately, the show takes a turn for the mawkish when he sings "Memories" over a slideshow featuring his five daughters, their husbands, and their children (not mentioned: actor Jason Bateman is among his sons-in-law). Presented in DTS-HD 5.1 and stereo, this is a strong optional purchase. (K. Fennessy)