29 May 2006

it's not over till it's over

Jamie Cullum brought his current American tour to a close in Santa Fe last nite. as much as he was looking forward to flying to Hawaii today for r&r   it was clear he didn't want it to end. he performd for nearly 2 & a half hours with the kind of energy that comes with youth.

Cullum is the size of a Munchkin but his talent is so tall he seems a giant on stage. he often attacks his songs. he climbs all over the piano & hits its keys with fists & feet & butt & piano bench. then he calms down & sings a standard ballad with all the intimacy of a lounge act. his career will last because he's not just a pop star. his roots are in jazz. & the ability of a jazz performer to riff enables him to change his set to his mood. & his mood last nite was one of wanting to go on & on. his almost final song was "I Could Have Danced All Night."

& how exciting to see such a young performer display generosity. when Tom Richards did a sax solo Jamie boltd into an empty seat in the audience & became a fan. & toward the end of his set he brought out the opening act Raul Midon for a sweet duet.

I'm so glad I was able to see him this early in his career. I had 5th row seats in a fairly small outdoor venue. it was a nite to remember.

8 comments:

Regality said...

I sampled one of his albums on Amazon (the one on which he covers J Hendrix's "The Wind Cries Mary")and the energy that you talked about doesn't come through at all. He sounds very laid back and sedate. Can't imagine him "butt playing." *L*

Alex Gildzen said...

the only CD of his I have is "twentysomething." even tho the cover shows him soaring over the piano I had no idea from listening to it that he'd be such a dynamic performer.

Jean Vengua said...

I saw him on Austin City Limits and immediately had to go out and buy a CD.

Was going to see him play in S. Calif. but it didn't work out.

dammit

But I'm glad you enjoyed the performance...

Alex Gildzen said...

dvrjzmJean --
he's playing the Paramount in Oakland on 18 june.

Alex Gildzen said...

whoops......

somehow the verification done got put in the wrong place on that last one.

Jean Vengua said...

June 18, huh? whoohoo! thanks for telling me.

yes, I think he's one of those performers that's actually better live than on CD. The Paramount, I hear, is a great venue, too, an old art moderne treasure trove of a theatre from back in the old jazz days of Oakland. Perfect.

Regality said...

Ah, the Paramount. I spent many a youthful Saturday afternoon there, getting my fill of candy, popcorn, and double features.

knichols said...

alex you certainly know how to live