Been a fan of him for years and now I got the chance to actually see him live. I got nervous just when buying the tickets. It brought out the "kiasu" in me. Well I didn't get the first row but I was quite happy with the 4th row.
I was excited when Jamie Cullum appeared with his latest cover "Don't Stop The Music" by Rihanna. Jamie had successfully taken this song to a whole new level. I love his version much better than the original. For the first time in my life, I was blown away with a jazz show like this. Well it was also the first time I went to a jazz show anyway. We were sitting. Most of my friends thought that the show was going to be boring. But they were so wrong. The whole thing was mesmerizing. The best part was that there was this song titled "Frontin'". I didn't like it much before but when he played it, things changed. I love it! He showcased his talent by beatboxing, recording and looping the track live. It was my highlight of the show. He was playing alone without the band yet he was creating the most amazing show that night.
It was nothing like I had ever seen before. He would literally beat on the piano, ran to the drumset and beat on it or even jumping off from the piano with the energy that was so infectious to the audience. It was the kind of thing that you would never have expected from a jazz performer like him. With beers in hand, he surely had a great time as much as the audience that night.
Between the songs, he told funny stories about how he tried to smash up an old keyboard as he was trying to imitate Jimi Hendrix destroying his guitar which ended up making the stage covered in blood since Michael Franti didn't wear any shoes.
Also at one point he and the band ventured down off the stage, joined the crowd, set their instruments there and started playing. He danced with the crowd and it was such a really great time.
During "Gran Torino" everything was silent and I was all caught up with the song. I didn't know how but the song totally had me.
Some friends told me that there was something about Jamie that reminded them of Billie Joe but I didn't see it. Jamie is one of the performers who could bring genuine joy to the audience. And so I guess maybe that was what reminds my friends of Billie Joe. They are both great performers.
The show was absolutely amazing. Bravo, Jamie!
Jamie Cullum Setlist :
1. Don't Stop The Music
2. Get Your Way
3. Just One of Those Things
4. I'm All Over It
5. If I Ruled The World
6. Frontin'
7. Photograph
8. Twentysomething
9. Love Ain't Gonna Let You Down
10. You and Me Are Gone
11. I Got A Woman
12. These Are The Days
13. I Get A Kick Out of You
14. Wheels
15. High and Dry
16. Cry Me A River
17. Mixtape
18. All at Sea
