Customer Reviews

Twentysomething

5 star:		(96)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

I definitely enjoy Jamie Cullum's "Twentysomething." Many people have blasted it for being too unoriginal, too boring, too "pop" sounding, etc., but the fact remains that this music is fun to listen to. I'd much rather listen to Mr. Cullum's music than Norah Jones or Diana Krall. Cullum runs through standards and originals as if both were his own. He takes songs by artists such as Radiohead and the legendary Jimi Hendrix and puts a spin on them that others wouldn't dare dream of doing. He takes a "no fear" approach to music. Perhaps that is why I enjoy this album so much. While other artists have become media darlings by pawning themselves to the public, Cullum seems to be content with doing his own thing. By being himself, he's captured the attention of millions. He's even played for the Queen.

Of the songs contained herein, "Twentysomething" is definitely my favorite. I enjoy "Singin' In The Rain" and "All At Sea." There isn't a bad track on this disc. Many have compared Cullum's sound to Billy Joel, and I can see that comparison, but Cullum is in a league all his own. He's fun to listen to and extremely talented. I highly recommend this one.

Finally hitting American shops, Jamie Cullum's TWENTYSOMETHING is simply the best release so far in 2004. The original compositions -- penned by Jamie and his brother -- stand up amazingly well next to his unique interpretations of jazz standards and showtune hits. What ultimately catches you most off guard -- and holds you in their grip -- are the subtle covers of Jeff Buckley, Jimi Hendrix, and Radiohead, along with the catchy version of Pharrell's "Frontin'" (a bonus track for Americans that was the B-side of the UK "These Are the Days" single). Cullum's originality and energy are best showcased live; however, these analog recordings (under the classy, masterful production of Stewart Levine) give you an amazing sense of his development as an artist. Compared to "Pointless Nostalgic," Cullum's loosened up from his classical training, proves he's having more fun, and infuses the tracks with more emotion thanks to the scratchy, Van Morrison-esque vocals. When I first got the CD, I thought that it would just be background music for Sunday brunches and dinner parties -- but it's ultimately become the soundtrack for my life over the past three months. And as a side note -- it's always cool when you meet someone and find out that he's a really nice guy in person, and Cullum's appreciation for his fans is truly genuine. Highly, highly recommended for any music lover.

I am a Sinatra fan, so that should tell you something about my attitude towards standards. I believe that the so-called American songbook is the toughest material that a singer can cover. Few contemporary singers can do it without being boring (Norah Jones) or making fools out of themselves (Rod Stewart). Anyone trying to cover Cole Porter must be compared to not only Sinatra, but Ella Fitzgerald and Bobby Short. Jamie Cullum not only covers Cole Porter (I Get A Kick Out of You), he (unlike Stewart, but like Sinatra, Fitzgerald and Short) actually "gets" the material and he (unlike Jones, but like Sinatra, Fitzgerald and Short) makes it his own. Not only that, he has an original and fresh approach that makes him, in some ways, more fun to listen to than Steve Tyrell.

And then he does more. He covers Broadway (I Could Have Danced All Night) and Hendrix (Wind Cries Mary) and, as before, "gets" the material and makes it his own.

On top of that, there is his own material (twentysomething; Next Year, Baby) which he obviously gets because it is his own. His own material is so good it deserves to be on a CD with songs by Porter, Hendrix and Lerner and Lowe. What higher compliment can anyone pay?

By covering such varied material and successfully making it fresh and new, Collum demonstrates on this CD the truth of Duke Ellington's wonderful comment, "If it sounds good, it is good." Collum not only knows what Duke was saying, he has the talent and skill to put that truth into practice.

I not only bought this CD, I am going to see this guy in concert as soon as I can. Forty years from now, I want to say, "Yeah, I first saw Collum in 2004..." in the same way that old friends of mine say, "Yeah, I first saw Sinatra in '66..."

There's not a question in my mind that Jamie Cullum is a talented vocalist/songwriter/musician. He's also charismatic, earthy, and as cute as a button. I first saw him performing live on "The Today Show". In a brief interview with Matt Lauer, he came across without a hint of pretension, his performance of of the CD title song was lively, and he followed that by enthusiastically greeting a large gaggle of fans, many of which seemed to have just become immediately smitten with him. I can see that someone like Jamie would be very instrumental in bringing the joy of jazz to a younger audience.

I ran right out to buy "twentysomething", which I like a lot, but definitely do not love. If you're a jazz fan older than 30, I think you'll feel the same. The original songs (especially "These Are the Days" and "Twentysomething") work fine, but the standard "covers" are a mixed-bag. Cullum has a unique take on "Singin' in the Rain" (reminds me of Malcolm McDowell in "A Clockwork Orange) and "What a Difference a Day Made", but "I Get A Kick Out of You" and "I Could Have Danced All Night" are almost awful. The biggest shortcoming is Cullum's singing style itself, which is really style-less. It's one thing to sound smoky, but Jamie often sounds like he was yanked out of bed and pushed into the recording studio after a long, drunken bender. The arrangements sometimes seem rushed and sloppy, with sudden bursts of volume where no loudness seems required.

I am still enjoying this CD in small increments, but overall, Mr.Cullum needs a bit more polish. Jazz purists beware!

When i first saw Jamie Cullum on the conan o'brian show i was surprised, and enthrilled, to see a jazz artist that not only sounds GREAT but has a fun live show. At that moment I knew I would have to keep my eyes open for this guy. And im glad i did. Right now im listening to the track "all at Sea" and it is maybe the 10th time since i got the cd..yesterday. I have never been more happy with a cd. His smooth music and lyrics are great to listen too. The remake of the Jimi Hendrix hit, "wind Cries Mary" and the title track "twenty something" are wonderful masterpeices.

While this cd isnt your conventional jazz, it still is a great cd to have, a must buy for most fans of jazz, and others.

Love this guy. He is very talented. He can play the piano beautifully but it's his edgy, raw voice I think that sets him apart. Kind of like a John Mayer but he plays like Billy Joel and has and edge to him that really sets him apart. I think if you like Dave Matthews Band, you ought to give this guy a try.

`Twentysomething' is the major label debut of 24 year old British pianist/jazz crooner Jamie Cullum.

The CD features 3 original Cullum compositions, as well as cover versions as diverse as Jimi Hendrix' `Wind cries Mary' and Radiohead's `High and dry', which are both brilliantly delivered.

He's got a great voice which has great depth and dexterity. Check out the opening track `These are the days', a brilliant mid tempo horn laden strummer.

`Twentysomething' is a semi-autobiographical pensive number which starts off slow until a big band swing kicks in. Superb!

His version of `Singin' in the rain' is gentle, breezy, with some delicate scatting towards the end.

`I get a kick out of you' is another piano laden big band style swinging number, with lots of crashing cymbals.

`Blame it on my youth' is a tender ballad comprising delicate piano and percussion, and a slow, drawn delivery. In a similar vein is the absolutely beautiful `But for now'.

Some scat singing and minimal percussion announces `I could have danced all night', which then explodes into a staccato of drums, fun and energy. This song really is awesome!

`Next year, baby' starts off as a tender jazz number, which then breaks out into breaks into some great piano and congas, which announce a samba style rhythm, then slows down again to repeat the cycle. Very unexpected and a rather delightful number.

His slowed down, jazzed up version of Pharrel's `Frontin'' makes the original sound like a remake of this. There is an awesome piano break two thirds into the song. Brilliant.

An impressive CD indeed. If you like this, I suggest you try `Frank' by UK songstress Amy Winehouse, which is just as superb!

And to think he's only twentysomething...

I had only heard "These are the Days" and i liked it so much i decided to take a chance on the album.After hearing his re-working of classics(What a difference a day made,Singing in the Rain,I could have danced all night etc..).I was TOTALLY blown away by the cover of Pharrell's(The Neptunes)"Frontin".I guessing a majority of the people who bought or reviewed the album don't listen to hip-hop or R&B.But Jamie does!I'll be looking for upcoming releases from Mr.Cullum

I can't claim to be a jazz "fanatic"..it's not a large part of my collection, but I have some jazz and standards in my collection, own the book counterpart to the "Ken Burns Jazz" series, and wish that more people my age (34) and younger had an appreciation for it. Because of that, when I see younger artists doing jazz or even music that hints at it (Norah Jones, Connick Jr., Cullum) I'm rooting for them to be great...someone to carry on the tradition.

First the good news...While Cullum isn't doing "jazz" here, it's clear from the arrangements that he has an affinity for it and the tunes are at least jazz "inflected" pop (and I would argue a few tunes are pretty much straight jazz).

The bad news..What many are saying about Cullum's voice is true. It's not a particularly elastic instrument and sounds best when he's comfortably in the mid-range. In addition, the young Brit's not the most emotive singer in the world, though that comes with time and at "twenty-something" Cullum could still develop better interpretive skills. The rasp could be viewed as a disadvantage for a crooner, but then again, it may prove to be his mark of "distinction" in an increasingly crowded field of "nouveau" standard singers.

HIGHLIGHTS:
The loose lope of "These are the Days" is easily the best original here and a good way to kick off the CD. The understated "But for Now" is situated nicely in Cullum's range and he handles it well. "I Could Have Danced All Night" manages the neat trick of making a showtune funky. Who'd-a thunk it? It's a highly percussive track that veers toward world music territory but also incorporates horror movie string stabs, scatting, and a pretty nifty piano solo from Cullum. "Singin' in the Rain" updates the old Gene Kelly chestnut with some Fender Rhodes and a backbeat courtesy of Michael Strange and bongoist Francis Fuster. While the song flirts with the edges of Cullum's range, the notes that are a strain are brief so it doesn't end up sinking it.

LOWS:
I'm no Radiohead purist but I have to admit that Cullum's muffed notes ruin "High and Dry" for me. It's too bad..the arrangement is really nice. Self-penned "Next Year, Baby" just isn't a good tune. The tempo and tone of Cullum's take on "What a Difference a Day Makes" is puzzlingly melancholy for a lyric that's so obviously joyous. It's a misfire. The high harmonies on "All at Sea" are cringeworthy.

BOTTOM LINE:
This will probably be anathema to jazz purists...and probably many jazz lovers with appreciation of pop also will be turned off by the clunkers on here. If this accomplishes anything, it will be to get Cullum's name wider recognition among the "twentysomethings" he named the disc after. Hopefully, with more maturing, Cullum will become a great artist and bring new waves of fans to jazz.

Saw this guy in Philadelphia, picked up his CD afterwards. Great show, and a great album. He may be daring with the covers, but they are all superb. He puts on a pretty crazy show, as well. Try to see him.