Customer Reviews

Twentysomething

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

 

 

As an American ex-pat transferred to London for 5 years, I happened to come across Jamie Cullum in a live concert, by accident. After 2 songs, my jaw was on the ground. I couldn't believe this young kid was producing that energy, that voice, that stage presence! Unreal. I could go on and on about this guy. I will tell you this: Jamie Cullum is the next big thing. He covers the oldies better than Harry Connick jr. and his original stuff is unbelievable. It's only going to take 20 minutes on the tonight show with Jay Leno, and the secret will be out. This is the best music I have listened to in 5 years. It's all pure and recorded in Analog! What you hear is what you get, no digital rearranging of the recording to clean it up. This is a MUST get disk.

Let me tell you, I bought this CD few months ago in England (I am from Italy) just listening to it in a music store and soon felt in love with it. It is somehting new to me, a mix of jazz and new wave sound. Some covers and some stuffs of his own! incredible for being only 23.
Then, 2 weeks ago he came to play live in Rome. I went to see him and I was so pleasantly surpirsed for the way he plays live. Much better live than in studio! He plays the piano with aggressive talent! and plays evry song in such a good way. This musician comes directly to my heart when playng! At the end of the concert the 70 people stood up for a standing ovation! well done Jamie.
Waiting for your next work!!!
If you wann follow me in this world.....buy this item! it worths listening to. At least, give a chance and won't be disappointed....

Jamie Cullum is one of a seemingly endless stream of young men and women being picked up by the major labels to satisfy an apparent demand (in the UK at least) for music that's a bit more mature than the Pop/American Idol market, aiming at the soul, jazz and swing side of easy listening.

Cullum is definitely on the jazz side of things, and unlike some, his arrangements are all his own, some highly individual and not to everyone's taste.

First of all, it is a definite advantage if you see this young man play in concert; in the UK he's been given television exposure on chat shows, and a complete performance at the Brecon Jazz Festival, in which he plays most of this album, has also been shown.

Jamie is a 20-something as in the album title. He has a disarming personality, he's the boy-next-door, or a "cheeky-chappie", and this does come out in his music making. His vocals and phrasing, while sometimes quite straight (encouraging the press to dub him a "Sinatra in sneakers") can also be quite individual, not to say quirky. His versions of "Singin' In The Rain" and "Old Devil Moon" fall into that category, and are all the better for it, for a non-jazz person like me, anyway. And his take on "I Could Have Danced All Night", which involves playing the woodwork, the top of, the piano, together with unusual phrasing of vocal, has to be seen to be appreciated.

Other cover versions, such as "What A Difference A Day Made" and Hendrix's "Wind Cries Mary" are more respectful. He does, however make a complete mess of "I Get A Kick Out Of You" (too Sinatra) and Jeff Buckley's "Lover You Should Have Come Over"; I won't say he can't play the blues, it was just the wrong song to try.

Of the six original songs, three are his own compositions including the title track; they are quite lightweight and very catchy, and lyrically autobiographical. Three songs are written by his brother Ben, and are less noteworthy.

Jamie's piano playing is agile and wonderfully light-fingered; there is no heavy handed thrashing of the ivories. And the backing band sounds absolutely first class, especially Geoff Gascoyne on bass; I have little knowledge of jazz session men, but I understand they're some of the best, and they sound it.

So, all in all a very enjoyable album from a young talent. On its own it may sound a little odd or eccentric but it's well worth sticking with; hopefully, if this gets released properly in the US, he will get some television exposure - it will certainly help to shed some light on the performances.

I was recently on holiday in London and saw a commercial advertising the Twentysomething CD. The next day while touring around I bought it...what an awesome find! This CD is great! You should definitely add it to your collection.

I got the chance to see him perform live in London. The whole CD is awesome. Very jazz. My favorite track is All at Sea. Go check him out. His CD comes out in May in the US.

The guy who posted on Feb 7 doesn't know what he's talking about. It sounds like he just downloaded it off some peer-to-peer program where there are many downloadable songs of Jamie's. Mind you, all of them are looped to deter anybody who's too cheap to actually go out and buy it themselves. If you're confused by his music, try actually buying it. I shouldered the import price, but it was worth it. It's music that anybody (Jazz Aficionados or Teeny Boppers, alike) can appreciate and enjoy.

I first heard Jamie Cullum on a POP IDOL SUPERSTARS program. As a jazz fan and fello pianist i was completely blown away by the voice and themes. I then heard Jamie perform on PARKINSON and was completely gobber-smakced at some of the tunes he wrote. The jazz was pure jazz and i was totally blown away by his vocal arrangements and instrumentation. I purchased the CD on its release, listened to it and immediately fell in love with it. I was deeply impressed with the album and can't wait to hear his next album. A great album!!

I first heard Jamie Cullum on a popular British talk show a couple of months ago and he absolutely blew me away. I quickly purchased this CD and I wasn't disappointed. All the tracks are fantastic with superb arrangements on the classic tunes. The title track Twentysomething was written by Jamie and is great as well.

He reminds me of Harry Connick Jr., but better and more original. It's hard to believe he's only 23.

Too bad there are no samples of the songs from this CD. Try the Amazon.co.uk website.

I flew out to LA a few years ago just to see Jamie live. Fabulous! I have all his cd's and his DVD. All a must. His audience ranges from 8 to 90. Last time I saw him was in Miami. Great performer.