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Twentysomething (
Jamie Cullum)
To my ears, this twentysomething fireball of talent from the UK channels Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder and other pop-jazz-blues piano men who have come before him. Calling him a jazz crossover artist makes his accomplishments somewhat trite--here is a singer-songwriter that not only entertains but also transcends mere imitation of artists, and their styles, that he admires.
The album contains Cullum's original compositions (with a contribution from his older brother, Ben) and covers of old and not-so-old familiar songs. You've never heard "Singin' In the Rain" or "I Could Have Danced All Night" quite like this. As if the songs weren't playful enough, Cullum adds bounce with his earnest and evidently talented piano playing. (Props also to an excellent backup band.) Cullum performed the mellow songs "Blame It On My Youth" and "But For Now" with a lot of tenderness, while his version of Jimi Hendrix's song "Wind Cries Mary" (which may well be my favorite track in the CD) shows that his musical influences straddle several generations. Ditto with his cover of Radiohead’s "High and Dry" and Jeff Buckley’s "Lover, You Should've Come Over."
As for the original compositions, one thinks of Cole Porter and Johnny Mercer. Okay, okay, that’s too much by way of comparison and their works would be hard to equal. Cullum, however, is a good lyricist and is able to write both sensitive and funny words to accompany his music. Being the young person that he is, the songs reflect the point in one’s life where one is faced with many decisions In “Next Year” he sings "
Next Year / Things are gonna change / Gonna drink less beer / And start all over again." The song "Twentysomething" expresses uncertainty, especially when he makes an unwelcome discovery: "
After years of expensive education / A car full of books and anticipation / I’m an expert on Shakespeare and that’s a hell of a lot / But the world don’t need scholars as much as I thought."
This album is doing a lot of spin time in my CD player and MP3 player. He did a couple of free shows here in New York last summer (one for my station, WFUV, and the other for the concert series at Central Park, courtesy of Joe's Pub), which I missed. I hope he decides to come by again. His star will definitely be bigger by then.
