Music
Catching
Tales
Jamie Cullum
As a modern jazz fan, I just love the unique voice and
piano-playing of Jamie Cullum. Although many say that his music is
not true jazz, it is definitely grounded in it. Jamie has a style of his own
and on this CD most of the tracks are his own creation and thoroughly
enjoyable.
After hearing him on Parkinson just over a year ago, I
purchased Jamie's previous CD called Twenty Something and loved it. Opening a
birthday present this year, I found his latest CD,
Catching Tales. All I can say is that
it is every bit as good as its predecessor as Jamie, once more puts his
expertise into action. Here is a sample
of what’s on this CD.
Get Your Way, kicks the album off with a funky beat that
almost immediately gets my foot taping and head nodding with the rhythm. Moving
on there is a little number called London Skies, Jamie gives this an eerie touch that
reminds me of a cross between jazz, pop and folk music. The next track is
called Photograph at first sounds nothing like jazz at all until the
instrumental break when Jamie does some superb piano improvisations. Performed
with piano and vocals (and a little rhythm from the drums) this song tells of
an ordinary yet magical life.
Al Dubin and Harry Warren’s song, I Only Have Eyes for You,
gets a cool jazz-like treatment from Jamie that can best be described as dreamy
and almost surreal without losing it’s original essence. Other old evergreens
that are given the Cullum funky treatment are songs like Our Day Will Come, and Gershwin’s
Fascinating Rhythm.
OK, so if it’s not jazz Jamie Cullum really confirms his
talent not only as an excellent musician, but also as a brilliant songwriter. The way he
combines classic, jazz, pop and funk is second to none, especially for a person
of his young age. And it seems to appeal not only to the more mature
ex-musician like myself, but also to many youngster.
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