Michael Bolton

This is a review of Michael Bolton that's not a poison-pen job. After all, what negative comments are there to make about the white soul singer that venomous critics haven't already made? So let's look at the good things about him--which are all nicely showcased in the hourlong premiere of "Center Stage" tonight (at 9 on KCET-TV Channel 28, 8 p.m. on KPBS-TV Channel 15 and KVCR-TV Channel 24). What Bolton does is sing romantic ballads in a style borrowed from assorted R&B singers.

Was that seriously the people's choice on the "American Music Awards" (ABC, Jan. 25)? What people? I thought the majority of it was a disgrace. Such as the clothes, or lack of. Were all those groups chosen by people who listen to only Pirate or Power radio stations? I believe there are a lot of us who appreciate real music, such as Michael Bolton's. Jane Bodine, San Dimas

The 20th annual American Music Awards ceremony was so tame Monday night at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium that the press was thankful for its old nemesis: Michael Bolton. Bolton, who urged critics at last year's American Music Awards to seek out psychotherapy because of what he termed their "nasty, negative" comments in reviews of his music, smiled after winning one of his two awards and told reporters, "Success is the best revenge."

Michael Jackson won two trophies and his third special award while Michael Bolton, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Reba McEntire, Patti LaBelle, Garth Brooks and Bobby Brown scored major victories Monday at the 20th annual American Music Awards. Jackson "Dangerous" was voted the favorite pop rock album and "Remember the Time" was the favorite soul-rhythm and blues single. He has won 14 of the awards in competitive categories.

"Sliced bread, eh?" pop singer Michael Bolton said as he took the stage at the Disneyland Hotel on Tuesday night. Tenor saxophonist Kenny G had just introduced the Grammy-winning artist (whose "Timeless" album is No. 1 one in the country) as the greatest thing since sliced bread. Given the way the 700-strong audience responded at the benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, you'd have thought The King was on stage. Deafening applause. Whistles. And yes, swooning.

Michael Bolton swears he's a jocular person. Really. But in photos and public appearances, he rarely smiles or kids around . And in press conferences and interviews, he invariably winds up a tad on the defensive side, answering the slings and arrows of music critics who've taken his extremely dramatic ballad style to task.

Given the knocks and pans he gets from critics old enough to know what these songs are supposed to sound like, it's brave of Bolton to barrel ahead, not caring whether he's culturally correct in recording, among others, soul classics made famous by singers the likes of Sam Cooke, Sam & Dave and the Four Tops. The Tops themselves join him on his version of one of their biggest signature hits, "Reach Out, I'll Be There," and there's nothing to knock here.