Search - Jamie Cullum :: Catching Tales

"Immediately Hooked After The First Listen !"

Richard S. Ledford | Provo, Utah | 04/26/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is only on rare occasions that I come across a song or artist with a plethora of musical "hooks" which captures my attention. Such is the case with Jamie Cullum's music. I serendipitously came across his music while grocery shopping last month. The Muzak station was playing the song, "Catch The Sun." The song had an infectious melody. What also caught my attention was the very jazzy piano in the musical bridge. After discovering the artist was Jamie Cullum, I immediately ordered his 'Catching Tales" album from Amazon. I was instantly hooked after the first listen! Needless to say, I also ordered his previous album and his latest album, as well.



Jamie Cullum's music has two distinctive musical styles. First, he performs jazz / pop / r&b standards as well as jazz-infused original songs, Think of a more hip Michael Buble with more panache and vibrance in his musical performances. He breathes new life into jazz / pop standards and melds them into his own contemporary style. His second musical style is contemporary, piano-based alternative pop music, somewhat reminiscent of a young Billy Joel or a Ben Folds. His two, previous albums, "Twentysomething" and "Pointless Nostalgic" contain more of the jazz standards while this album and 'In Pursuit" contain more original, pop oriented songs but still with strong jazz influences. In addition, the "In Pursuit" album has a little techno thrown in for good measure. Jamie Cullum plays a "mean" piano as well as occasional guitar. He also has a very jazzy voice, with excellent diction. The following are song highlights from the album:



"Get Your Way" -- A rousing, bluesy jazz opener with a heavy back beat and searing horns between the verses. There is even static in the song to replicate that of an old vinyl record! An original song song about a spoiled date who always gets her way.



"London Skies" -- A nice guitar-oriented ballad which is a little reminiscent of Toad The Wet Sprocket.



"Photograph" -- This song could easily have been a Ben Folds song because of its piano dominant pop style. There is again wry humor in the song's lyrics.



"Nothing I Do" -- A lilting, original song which is closest to a Harry Connick Jr. number. A very jazzy song with sharp wit.



"Mind Trick" -- This breezy song, with electric piano, speaks mid-seventies Stevie Wonder all the way! A fitting tribute.



Oh God" -- This haunting, minor key melody seems to be influenced by Dave Brubeck's classic, 'Take Five." A nice saxophone solo appears in the musical bridge.



"Catch The Sun" -- An original, re-working of the Doves song. The song that introduced me and got me hooked on Jamie's music.



"7 Days To Change Your Life" -- An original lounge-ballad very reminiscent of 'Ol' Blue Eyes," even down to the voice inflections, Another song featuring Jamie's wry sense of humor.



"Our Day Will Come" -- This cover of the 1962 song by Ruby and The Romantics, actually sticks pretty close to the original-- even down to the "swirling organ!"





Anyone who enjoys the music of Harry Connick Jr. Billy Joel, Ben Folds, Swing Out Sister (and other jazz-influenced pop groups) and classic r&b will find a lot to admire with this album. A definite five star contender!



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