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Elly Roberts reviews
Back to Bedlam: 
Word is fast getting around, because theres a new super-star on the horizon.,
Its hard to believe that witnessing atrocities in Bosnia may wellhave shaped James Blunts repertoire. In just one hour, the running time of aCD and three songs, Blunt consolidated his credentials as the next bigthing.The ex-army officers talents are baring fruit as he enters CivyStreet.
Serving his time as captain with a round of duty in the Balkans, hesbeen storing up material for four years, which is finally being unleashed asa weapon of mass delights. Much to his surprise, a collective roar andwolf-whistles greeted the handsome singer-songwriter. 3G phones went intoaction: the flashbulbs almost overwhelmed the unassuming newcomer.
This new kid on the block is making a name for himself as an outstanding composer ofmelodic driven classics, some might say in the McCartney mould. He has thelooks to swoon the girls, (screams of James we love you ! rang out allnight) and his skills appeal across all ages.
Playing his biggest gig so far,things are slowly falling into place. Withexposure on BBC Radio 2, his first two singles, High and Wise Men,have made the industry sit up and listen.Not making the top ten just yet,the latest single Youre Beautiful (released Monday May 2) is set to bea monster. His album Back To Bedlam, from which most of the set wastaken, is proving to be a slow burner in the Damien Rice mould, but thatswhere similarities end.
I first saw Blunt supporting Katie Melua at the Royal Court Theatre Liverpoolin March 2004. I was negotiating Meluas setlist with a sound engineer. On hecame, opened up with this resonating voice and the place went silent. I wastotally gobsmacked: I knew there and then that I was hearing a new sensation.This night was no different. All the songs went down like a bomb, particularlythe emotionally charged No Bravery which he played on piano. You couldhear a pin drop as he sang the melancholic ballad in the deathly silence.
Tears were visible as he recollected his war experiences. Further on, heraised the roof with Out Of My Mind, the funky So Long Jimmyand closer Wise Men. For his encore, he let rip with the gloriousYoure Beautiful, the song that will make him a household name.
Britains most exciting prospect in years.
Elly & James.
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.