Customer Reviews

Jamie Cullum - Live At Blenheim

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The mark of a good music DVD is when it leaves the viewer with a better understanding of the artist. By this measure, "Live at Blenheim" is a smash success. I was most impressed by the energy, enthusiasm, and obvious passion Jamie Cullum displays throughout the show. Though he's dressed more like a roadie than a performer, he charms the audience with his unbridled love of music of all types.

Right from the start, on "I Get a Kick Out of You", he shows himself as both a hyperactive, brash youth, as well as a deft jazz pianist who certainly "has got chops". At one moment he's jumping off the grand piano, and a bit later he running to the piano to crank out an incredible solo. This sort of bipolar persona reminds me of (forgive me for the odd example!) how the mood of an old Marx Brothers movie suddenly changes when Harpo sat down at his harp. I suppose that is why I am more impressed by his performance on the quieter, more heartfelt tunes like "What a Difference a Day Makes" and especially the final song "But For Now".

Jamie Cullum admits that he never felt fully comfortable as a grunge rocker like Kurt Cobain or playing straight ahead jazz while dressed in a suit and tie. And so he forges ahead, carving out a unique identity that respects jazz tradition, yet is infused with the spirit of rock and roll. The youthfulness he conveys, in my mind, is not distracting. Instead, I see this as a starting point, and I look forward to watching how his music evolves over the years ahead.

A jaw-droppingly wonderful, absolutely breathtaking performance by Jamie, his excellent fellow trio members Geoff Gascoyne and Sebastiaan deKromm, and a complement of talented side musicians.

Although I've owned this DVD for a couple of months now (and have watched at least parts of it close to every day, on some days more than once), I wanted to wait until after I'd had the chance to see Jamie perform live before commenting on the recording. Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to attend one of two sold-out U.S. concerts scheduled around the launch date of Jamie's new CD, "Catching Tales" (also simply wonderful). That show was spectacular, and although the small, standing-room-only club, holding a few hundred people at most, was a venue very different from that on the DVD, the Blenheim concert recording does a terrific job of capturing the spirit, energy, and sheer enjoyment to be found watching Jamie and company perform.

The show is about to begin; Jamie saunters onstage, salutes the audience, starts to sing the first number, "I Get a Kick Out of You" - and that's it, you're hooked for two hours, no possibility of escape, not that you'd want to. I've never seen a performer grab one's attention as thoroughly as does Jamie: you simply can't take your eyes - much less ears - off him.

The music is sublime, the photography is superb, and the sound is of CD quality; the DVD extras are pretty neat, too, including a fascinating glimpse of an early version of an apparently then-unfinished song - performed on a San Francisco street, no less, using a guitar case for percussion and a discarded sofa as a prop - that turns up in the concert filmed a month or so later in its final, hauntingly beautiful form.

Just a fabulous DVD from a magnificent musician and performer - get it, turn it on, and enjoy. (And by the way, if you want more - and I'm pretty sure you will - Jamie & co. are planning a U.S. tour for early in 2006; check his web site periodically for updates.)

EDIT, 8/15/07: Thirteen live Jamie gigs later, I have to say that as wonderful as this DVD is - still DEFINITELY worth owning and watching - Jamie has come SO far musically in the three years since it was recorded, that a new DVD is LONG overdue. Dare we hope for one in the not-too-distant future? Until then, get this one - and see him live if he comes your way.

If you are a fan of Jamie Cullum's modern-jazzish-cover style then you must pick up this dvd. I first found out about it on Jamie's website a few months ago and recently spotted it here in Canada, so I immediately picked up a copy.

The main feature of this dvd is a quite long concert, between 90 to 120 minutes I believe, taking you through a long list of Jamie's repertoire from twighlight at Blenheim Palace (a picturesque castle with rolling greens and elegant architecture) to midnight.

The concert is simply amazing though - covering virtually all of the tracks on Jamie's "Twentysomething" album with a few extras thrown in, including a Beach Boys cover, "Old Devil Moon", and "Why Do Today What You Can Do Tomorrow". I think the exceptional thing about the show is Jamie's style of performance - he swaps instruments throughout the night, as does his exceptional band, and he is probably one of the most energetic performers I've ever seen. He not only plays the piano, he uses it as a stage, a dance floor, a prop, and a percussion instrument on several occasions.

Interspursed throughout the show is a number of mini-featurettes which have interviews and clips of performances of Jamie as he tours around the world (mostly through America).

Basically if you think you won't have a chance to see Jamie (as I fear I might not) live, then pick thsi up. If you liked his album, pick this up. His vocals are just as strong on the dvd as on his album (which isn't surprising given the album is recorded in analog format). The nice thing is he adds fun spins to the songs and you get to see what parts he sings and how he does them live.

Let's not forget the special features - check out a few more mini-featurettes including Jamie and his bass player and drummer from the show busking in San Francisco (nobody stops by unfortunately). Also there are 3 music videos of Jamie and a featurette on the making of "Wind Cries Mary". I only wish he'd released "High and Dry" as a single.

Highlights of the concert? The first three songs blew me away, plus "High and Dry" because I love it, and "What a Difference a Day Makes" is just as romantic sung in person - if not more so - then on Jamie's cd.

All in all - a great dvd - a bargain price for what you're getting - pick it up today!

This is a fabulous concert!!! I attended the best concert EVER this summer. Jamie Cullum and The Gabe Dixon Band were amazing! There are no words to describe seeing Jamie Cullum live, and this is the closest thing you can get to reliving that experience in the comfort of your own home. This DVD will enrich your life. Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!

I bought this DVD tonight at BestBuy and came home intending to watch a few minutes of it, as I also purchased a movie as well. Needless to say, I was taken by all the beautiful music and watched the entire concert. Superb sound quality, each instrument in true purity. I felt like I was there on stage, listening close-up to Jamie and his band! I've never beed a true die-hard jazz fan, other than I love Nancy Wilson's songs, voice and style. Now Jamie has opened the door to jazz once again with his voice, style and composition of each beautiful song. He points out that jazz is alive and doing well and entering the pop scene today. How true! I know I will watch this concert many times and show it to my friends. You will not go wrong purchasing this work of a truly great artist and his music. Thank you Jamie!

I am 64 year old woman who saw Jamie Cullum in Phoenix Arizona in May 2006. It was a small venue that was more up close and personal than a large venue would have been. I would probably have never heard of him if not for a local jazz radio station here in Phoenix that has since gone off the air. I liked him right away and thought he was different from the rest of the artists being played.

After seeing him in person I became an even bigger fan than before. It was the best concert I have ever seen and he gave 100% during the show. Jamie was in total command of the stage and the audience the whole night. He has so much energy and can go on for three hours without stopping! He takes jazz music and performs it with the excitement and enery of a rock concert which is why he appeals to fans of all ages. The show I attended had a mixture of younger and older people in the crowd and he captivated them all. Micheal Buble has a better singing voice and seems to be better known in America, but Jamie's songwriting, piano playing, arranging skills, and great showmanship make him the greater talent by far. He is the most talented and charismatic musician out there today and deserves the same superstar status here in America that he has in the UK.

I bought this DVD before seeing him in concert and liked it very much. The best part of the video for me are the moments where he involves the audience in the show, encouraging everyone to sing along. I'm also impressed by the fact that Jamie doesn't have to rely on being vulgar to entertain his audience like so many rock stars his age do. Jamie proves in this DVD that when you have this much talent you don't need anything else to please an audience. This is a concert video that the whole family can enjoy.

Everyone I've talked to about Jaime has never heard of him. You never hear him played on the radio and rarely see him on television here in the states, but all his shows are sold out everywhere he plays in America. How is this possible? I think it is a shame that Jamie doesn't get played on the radio when people with only half his talent get played everyday. Oh well, I guess talent has gone out of style here in the 21st century. If you are not lucky enough to have seen him in person, "Live at Blenheim Palace" is a must-have to get the full effect of Jaime Cullum in concert!

Glenda Ellis

I can't even count the number of times I have watched this DVD since buying it. It has immediately become one of my favorites.

The DVD has an excellent audio mix. I have a very minor complaint about some sibilance in Jamie's vocals/microphone. But that is probably how it sounded live. Otherwise there is nothing to fault and lots to praise. The stand-up bass and electric bass are masterfully recorded. The drums sound nice. The piano sounds excellent for a Yamaha and for the beating it receives from Jamie (not quite as wonderful as a Steinway...sorry). Overall the mix is just right with the surrounds properly used just for ambience and crowd noise.

The video is good...but not reference quality by any means. Some of the overhead stage cameras are really crappy (like the ones you still see on non-HD sporting events for example). The video mix is excellent...not too jumpy, with great mood setting angles and just the right amount of crowd shots (except people kissing during the final romantic number which is always corny).

As stated, this DVD has risen to the upper range of my favorite DVDs and is constantly being played. A must have.

Jamie Cullum has the vocal abilities of Harry Connick Jr. crossed with Frank Sinatra. He has the stage presence of David Lee Roth. Combine this with a killer rhythm section, great horns, and strings and you have one of the most phenomenal music experiences around.

Also, I noticed that this is THE BEST recorded concert I have ever heard. The microphones used (and I'm guessing pre-amps) make this the cleanest, most crisp and well defined DVDs I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. I checked ebay the minute I saw Jamie was singing into a Neumann KK105(s).

So to summarize; this DVD of Jamie is the most soulful, entertaining, and amazing musical performances on record.

This DVD exceeded my expectations. I have seen Jamie Cullum live and that was incredible but this concert is an outdoor venue in a very beautiful setting (no rain and that's rare) and the camera angles are to die for.

The extras are nice as well and you get a bit of Jamie in other places. There are also a few videos to boot. If you are a Jamie Cullum fan you have to have this for your collection. I suggest you not think twice! Purchase it now.

I remember visiting Blenheim Palace quite a bit in the early to mid 80's and too bad they didn'have concerts like this back then. Then again I was in the USAF and we were dodging Peace Keepers at RAF Upper Heyford, but that's another story. Young and not too cocky, Jamie Cullum's performance is a definite treat. The camera angles and close up shots of Jamie playing the piano is to be commended. The crisp music along with the close up shots will leave you glued to your tube and wanting more. Jamie and his band mates put on a great show.