Customer Reviews

Catching Tales

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I caught Jamie Cullum on "Austin City Limits" in early 2005, I was riveted. Here was an artist worth attention, I thought -- refreshing, passionate, and engaging, with an original style that reflected diverse musical influences. The next day I ordered Twentysomething and couldn't wait to get Catching Tales as soon as it came out.

No, they're not jazz, but they're also not pop, soul, or hip-hop and who cares? Cullum's music is all of the above fused into several of the most fascinating compilations available today. Who limits their music collection to just one genre anyway? Should a singer/songwriter be forced to fit one category to satisfy radio formats or CD sales bins? That's just crazy talk. (I remember when the artist labelers couldn't figure out what to stick on Lyle Lovett, too.)

The only reason I give Catching Tales four stars instead of five (and would offer the same rating to Twentysomething) is to reserve the top spot for the music Cullum will record in the future. Because if he can create "London Skies," "Nothing I Do," "Mind Trick," and enthralling versions of "Wind Cries Mary" (from Twentysomething) and "Our Day Will Come" while in his early to mid 20s, imagine what he can do as a seasoned musician and songwriter.

I'm eager to learn what this fresh young talent will bring to music as a thirtysomething. No doubt music will be better for it.

It was always going to be tough to top 'Twentysomething' but Jamie Cullum gives it his best shot.

Much like that disc, this features a variety of influences, from the upbeat horn laden 'Get your way' with a slight hip hop feel, loads of piano, and grand horn breaks, the acoustic folk like 'London skies', to the relaxed piano sprinkled 'I only have eyes for you' and the similar '17 days to change your mind'.

There's the big band jazz sound of 'Nothing I do', 'Mind trick' which is a lovely upbeat pop piece, the slow shuffling 'I'm glad there is you', the remake of the Doves 'Catch the sun', the sunny sounding remake of 'Our day will come' and 'Fascinating rhythm' which lives up to its name, featuring some excellent drum tapping, some scat singing, and a shuffling, largely instrumental jazz piece with deep bass and loads of piano. Brilliant!

Closing track is my favourite, the awesome acoustic driven 'My yard'.

Not another 'Twentysomething' but just as dazzling and eclectic.

I am loving this new guy...his music is old fashioned and with a modern jazz lick to it. I especially like Get your Way...He is a little Harry Connick a little Tony Bennett a little Micheal Buble...but he looks like a rapper....and sounds like an old fashioned Jazz Crooner..I will be listening to his other albums...

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!

Lacks some of the magic from Twentysomething but still a great buy. There are more jazz/pop styled songs on this album, but a few refreshingly original "old school" sounding jazz songs here as well. My favorites:

7 days to change
Nothing I do
I'm Glad There is you
My yard

Some of the others are catchy and a few cheesy, but overall a nice album. Worth your 15 bucks.

I loved "Twentysomething" so much, if it was on vinyl I would've worn it out by now. Cullum has (had?) the ability to move easily from standards to original compositions, and the CD felt both charmingly respectful of jazz and pop history yet also excitingly new. This time out, lightening doesn't quite strike twice. The opening track is marvellous, with Cullum in a playful yet combative mood ("What game shall we play today/How about the one where you don't get your way"), and the hip-hop beats over jazz piano works wonderfully. Yet Cullum undercuts the songs ingenuity with a weird little mea culpa: "And even if you do/That'd be OK," which takes away all the bite from it. (On the other hand, a couple songs have gratuitous profanity in them which, while not personally offensive, sticks out as uniquely crass and sophmoric.) "Seven Days" has comparable lyrical teeth, buried in a meandering melody that adds up to a pallid imitation of "What A Difference A Day Made." "Catch the Sun" is nicely handled, and the final track, "My Yard" has a lovely mood, but too many of the others blur into generic a coffe-shop soundtrack--an accomplished one, but not one that grabs the listener as on the previous disk. There's nothing wrong with the covers here (a shimmering "Our Day Will Come," a graceful "I Only Have Eyes For You"), but compared to the cheeky "Singin' In the Rain" or the heartbreaking "Blame It On My Youth" on "Twentysomething," they seem a bit like an afterthought. Cullum is way too talented to be off-track for long, so it will be interesting to see what his next disk brings.

It has been years since I had that feeling of simpatico with an artist. That feeling of wanting to spend hour after hour with their music and enjoying every track. Jamie Cullum is that and more. Loving discovering his work and Catching Tales may be my favorite album of his at present. From the jazz riffs to the snide lyrics and playful tempos, really great stuff.

This is the best CD I have ever purchased. I am a huge fan of Jamie Cullum and this album has to be his best in my opinion. This is the first CD I have bought where I love every single song on it. Great CD! I would recommend it for sure!

Love the CD. Listen to it often. Talented performer and writer. He knows how to place phrasing and emotion in his words. It's a joy to listen to.

This album may not have the same unexpected punch as twentysomething, but give a few listens to the whole sound, particularly the piano playing, and you will find that Mr. Cullum's playing has matured and is at some points quite spectacular. Not only that but the songs are interesting, well arranged, and delivered with Cullum's signature passion. I recommend it.