Because damn. I play these performances for anyone who laments ‘don’t real music anymore; the studios fake talent, etc.’ These guys are authentic and clearly versed in classic R&B without merely being a retro-act. It’s inspiring.
Runaway Baby @ the Grammys (be sure to change the quality to HD)
Valerie - Amy Whinehouse Tribute @ VMAs
I’m keeping my eyes on his tour dates for certain. And I can’t say enough about the band. I can’t believe the bass player can lay that down and dance in step.
I haven’t watched the Grammys in about 20 years, but I happened to come across that performance of “Runaway Baby” while switching channels – it’s pretty electrifying. “Valerie” is a great choice for his vocal style, too.
He hosted SNL a few weeks ago, and has been a musical guest before – the episodes are up on Hulu.
He makes it look effortless and he looks like there is nothing he’d rather do than perform, I have a ton of respect for him. Don’t really listen to his music, but I always stop what I’m doing when he’s on TV.
As stated earlier in the thread, he was on SNL a few weeks back and did a great job. Very likable stage-presence, lots of energy, and as was also stated earlier, he looks like there’s nothing else he’d rather be doing. Performers who are having fun sweep the audience up with them.
Does he act? He could probably be successful with that as well - maybe not as a great actor, but as a likable protagonist.
He’s from Hawaii, and from my experience living there, citizens of that state just seem more naturally at ease in just about any setting.
I was impressed with him from his appearance on SNL, which is the first I’d ever seen of him. I wasn’t necessarily crazy about the tunes he’d sung. I can hardly justify criticizing a man for not having my taste in music, but I’d be more interested in his work if he did real ye olde schoole R&B. Until then, I’ll have to make do with Michael Buble, who has excellent taste in vocal jazz.
Yep Bruno Mars is the real deal, in an Adele sorta way. Real talent.
It’s funny, I hear the annoying pop songs of his on the radio. Grenade, Marry You etc and I can’t stand them.
But then I see him on stage, with these songs I’ve never heard before and he shows that he’s not just another flash in the pan pop star. He’s actually got some talent that he can show off with these modernized doo-wop/crooner songs.
It’s hard for me to get past the crap songwriting. I’ve never seen him perform (on TV or otherwise) and I can’t look at YouTube right now, but I have a negative impression of him based solely on what I hear on the radio. I tend to think of Bruno Mars as being overrated and Gavin DeGraw as being underrated.
Bruno Mars is da shiz! He reminds me of Michael Jackson, both in musical range and genre.
Not sure what to say - take a look at some YouTube when you get a chance. As for the songs, there is stuff I don’t like that I appreciate for its songcraft. Even if I am not a fan, a song like his *The Lazy Song *is clearly a catchy piece of songwriting. The hook gets in your ear and won’t let go. Gotta respect that.
I just gotta laugh at myself for this, but when I hear the name Bruno Mars the picture I get in my head is that of a middle aged, beefy, mafioso looking, Italian guy. 
Now, I have heard his name mentioned before but I’ve never seen or heard him perform so I checked out the OPs links. My impression is that the kid’s got talent but the performances are, like much of today’s music, way overproduced. Back off with the flash and let the substance shine.
And, man oh man, I wish I was that good looking!
Bump for 2013 Grammy Performance. I really hope they become a staple every year. It’s hardly the first jam at the Grammys, but it’s so refreshing to see what looks like such an earnest celebration. That’s got to be a tired, cynical room – and they have the whole floor groovin.
And damn, Sting is just straight up highlander-immortal.