David Foster’s live shows are known for featuring big-name guests, and his performance at the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas was no exception. Michael Bolton and Seal took the stage, delivering a memorable mashup of “When A Man Loves A Woman” and “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” Foster provided piano and led the talented band through a flawless arrangement.
Bolton started with an impassioned rendition of “When A Man Loves A Woman,” pouring his heart into the performance. At the two-minute mark, Seal made a surprise entrance, saying, “Well Michael, that was pretty sensational, but I have a slightly different take on things.” He then launched into “It’s A Man’s World,” bringing his soulful touch to the stage. Seal’s performance was so powerful that he seemed to upstage Bolton, which is no easy feat.
The transition between songs was seamless, with Foster and the band delivering an outstanding performance. Seal and Bolton then combined their talents on “When A Man Loves A Woman,” now infused with the R&B groove of “It’s A Man’s World.” Watching these two powerhouse vocalists play off each other was a remarkable experience.
Seal’s energy appeared to ignite Bolton’s competitive spirit, pushing him to elevate his vocals even further. The video of this performance became the biggest hit on David Foster’s YouTube channel, amassing 101 million views. The night also featured a high-energy jam session with Earth, Wind & Fire on “September” and “After The Love Has Gone,” which garnered 5.5 million views.
Fans were thrilled by the Bolton and Seal mashup, leaving comments like “Impossible not to feel the soul pouring from these two. An instant classic performance” and “World-class. Truly amazing singing, with a perfect arrangement – those musicians are on another level.”
“When a Man Loves a Woman,” written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright, was originally recorded by Percy Sledge in 1966 and became a number one hit. Bolton’s 1991 version also topped the Billboard Hot 100.