Wintertijd

Bertje, that's Jazz VIII

While taking a trip to a record store to replace my James Brown albums that a friend (Ahem!!!) lost in Sweden, I heard a cool song being played on the store's sound system. I asked them who it was and told them I wanted to buy it, but they said that I should fight with the lady that was listening to it about that record because it was the last one they had. She didn't want it, so I picked it up.

Turns out the UK has spawned an answer to Harry Connick Jr. in the shape of Jamie Cullum, a now 26 year old piano whizz who also plays drums and guitar on occasion. He, much like Connick, started out young and recorded a few records on indie labels while still 19 years old. The man has a very pleasant voice and sticks to jazzy/funky/poppy repertoire, which makes him loved by a very diverse crowd the way I see it.

The album in question, Catching Tales, is not one that Connick would ever make though. The latter has done a New Orleans funk album, a poppier album, a big band crooners album and a jazz album. Jamie Cullum, by contrast, wrapped all of these things in one. If you go on-line and read reviews, you'll see some very very mixed feelings about this album. This is because it's completely eclectic. There's jazz standards in intimate settings, pop songs with a jazz touch, Steely Dan and Billy Joel influences, funky tunes with Allan Toussaint samples in it.

Therefore, the average critic that has his niche will say song so-and-so is brilliant, but such and such is irritating, and the other way around for another critic from another angle. I share Mr. Cullum's love for eclectic music however, so I tend to think the whole album is strong. Sure, it's a great big mess of styles, but that makes it interesting to listen to. The things that become apparent though are his love for music and his skill at his game. And that's what it's all about for me.

Many times he gets compared to Joss Stone, who is overrated, Connick, which is a logical comparison, but not quite justified, and Norah Jones and Diana Krall, both of whom have talent, but no balls or panache to make them sound interesting in the long run. Jamie Cullum however definitely sticks out of this crowd. Being a Harry Connick Jr. fan, this is a big statement coming from me. Mr. Connick has produced some very dubious work. I just think he ought to stick to what he knows best... Vocal Jazz and Big Band swing. His pop, funk and instrumental efforts just don't cut it. And I think Jamie Cullum does pull all of these elements off on this album.

The track I selected for this compilation is upbeat jazz with excellent piano bits in it, with a set of lyrics that are about a bad, horrible breakup. In an interview i saw with Cullum he said he liked the contrast in the song, and I'm inclined to agree.

Enjoy Nothing I Do. I know I did.

Posted by Chris at May 7, 2006 12:42 PM