Paul Anka's stellar voice dazzles A.C.

Paul Anka returned to Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa this weekend, proving that he's worth every penny of the exclusive contract he signed with the city's newest casino.

The 63-year-old entertainer demonstrated Saturday night why he is the 21st most successful artist in history according to Billboard: Not only can he croon as well as anyone on the casino circuit today - or ever, for that matter - but unlike most singers from his generation, he actually wrote all of his great material.

Anka put on an energetic 90-minute concert that offered 22 songs to a sold-out crowd. The Ontario native has lasted 45 years in show business because he's an absolutely phenomenal performer. After his 14-piece orchestra warmed up the audience, you knew you were in for a good time when Anka debuted in the middle of the audience singing his first and biggest No. 1 hit, "Diana," as he stuck the microphone in front of people to sing the refrains as they danced in their seats.

Anka may be short in stature, but he's tall in talent. Sharply dressed in a dark suit, Anka began the night nearly mimicking Sinatra's voice inflections, particularly in the poppy, upbeat "Come Rain or Come Shine." But that quickly faded as Anka found his own voice on another oldie but goodie, "You Are My Destiny," one of his earliest tunes that showed off his still stellar pipes.

The evening was packed with Anka hits, and the crowd particularly enjoyed the blasts from the past that reached as far back as the late 1950s and early '60s. Anka seemed to have lots of fun with his classic repertoire, including the songs that made him a millionaire while still a minor. "Put Your Head on My Shoulder," "Puppy Love" (which also helped Donny Osmond become a star) and the No. 1 hit "Lonely Boy," which turned into another sing-along.

Other fun moments came when he rolled out covers of two old-fashioned rockers, "House Is Rockin' " and "Twist and Shout." He even performed "She's a Lady" - a song he wrote for Tom Jones that suits Jones much better than Anka, but was still a treat.

Two of the most compelling moments of the show came when he sang "My Heart Sings" and "Papa," two powerful ballads that came from Anka's soul and demonstrated what a great songwriter he is.

Anka's show succeeds because he just doesn't roll out his hits in front of a talented orchestra and say goodnight. It's a well thought-out show that is aided by Anka's great sense of humor.

For example, when he picked a pretty girl to dance with during "Put Your Head on My Shoulder," he made fun of his height: "Of all the girls in the audience I could have picked, I picked someone my own size." On another occasion, he grabbed a lady's cell phone from her hands during the middle of a conversation and started singing to the person on the other line.

"Why aren't you here?" he sang into the phone.

Anka also had segments where he paid tribute to others. During his song "Times of Your Life," a big screen rolled down to reveal photos of his musical past as well as his family. He sang the whole time, but made jokes along the way. It was really sweet and personal.

He tipped his hat to a longtime friend, the late Bobby Darin, singing "Mac the Knife," a tune Darin scored a huge hit with. Sure, it's an overdone song, but Anka actually gave it new life.

Anka sang two of the songs he wrote for Sinatra, the ballad "Let Me Try Again," followed by the superbly performed "My Way," one of Sinatra's most famous songs. And he closed with a killer version of "New York, New York."

"This one's for the Yankees," Anka told the crowd, which roared earlier when Anka announced that the Yankees had won the first round of the Major League Baseball playoffs.

But the most touching moment came during "I'm Not Anyone," a song he wrote for his late friend Sammy Davis Jr. During the song, the video screen rolled down and featured Davis singing the powerful song. Anka joined in toward the end of the song, singing it like a duet with Davis that brought some deserved tears to audience members.

By the end of the night, Anka received at least a half-dozen standing ovations, deserving every one. As he closed the night singing a reprise of "Diana," audience members, who were mostly older, seemed blown away. Many said they would be back when he returns. If you're smart, you should follow suit.

Illustration: Paul Anka performs a phenomenal show Saturday to a sold-out crowd at Borgata

Hotel Casino & Spa. on Saturday. Staff color photo(s) by Ben Fogletto

Copyright, 2004, South Jersey Publishing Company t/a The Press of Atlantic City

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