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Elly Roberts reviews
Atlantic / Custard (Warner)
- Cat.no: 7567935212
- Format: DVD/CD
- Released: February 2006
- Rating: 10/10
There’s another ‘Posh’ in the music business – this one’s got talent though.
The past 12 months have been absolute Bedlam for new kid on the block JamesBlunt, 28.
Double ‘Brit 2006’ winner (British Male Solo Artist & Pop Act), finds theex-army posh boy’s star rising even higher. Right now, he deserves all theaccolades bestowed upon him. Released in October 2004, Back To Bedlam madeits gradual rise up the charts by word of mouth.
First two singles, High and Wisemen (set for a re-release soon) made littleimpact: then came the summer anthem – You’re Beautiful: it did the trick.He’s now a household name in the UK, and chasing time since the summer of2004, all caught on this excellent double pack. His recent gig at The HouseOf Blues in LA was a triumph, (Robbie Williams was there, and probably greenwith envy, picking up much needed tips I bet).
This week You’re Beautifulhas zoomed to number 2 in The Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, with thealbum sitting nicely at 9. Now in its 34th week in the UK charts, at No.2this week (w/e 18 Feb) it’s now the best selling album of 2005, and thesixth of the 21st Century. Close to 6 million copies have shifted world-wide.
The unassuming pop star still looks uncomfortable with his new found fame.Prior to his summer big break, I saw him at Academy 3 in Manchester lastMay, where he seemed quite astonished at the adulation. However, I knew thenhe was going to be big: very big.
The DVD of the BBC broadcast from his showcase in November, and live CDrecorded in Dublin, December 2005, catches him on song at both gigs.
The BBC show seems very unreal, as do all TV concerts. The lack ofatmosphere is in sharp contrast the show I remember in Manchester, where thecrowd went nuts. Backed by a four -piece band, back-up singers and theMillennia Ensemble, Blunt casually strolls through his relatively smallrepertoire, though for a first-timer, he possesses a strong observationalsongbook of achingly beautiful and catchy ballads, which seems at odds withthe current crop of British male pop stars.
Emotions surface when he tacklesGoodbye My Lover an unattainable lover and No Bravery, a document of theatrocities he witnessed in Kosovo: his eyes fill up and his face reflectsthe indelible memories. These are the definitive moments which have inspiredhis present songbook. Inevitably, questions will arise surrounding his nextcreation, now that he’s attending Polo matches etc.
The CD is effectively an audio replica of the BBC gig. He may not have muchstage persona: the music does the talking, as songs seamlessly match up.
His background sets him apart from the rest – we all know he’s taken up hisguitar instead of an Army tank, though his new ammunition is proving to beequally powerful. One thing he’s achieved in a very short time, is winningover hearts and minds with a brilliant album.
There’s none of your strutting or pop star antics, and so far, no stories oftelevision sets being hurled out of hotel rooms.
For the next 8 months he continues to tour, then in the studio for’difficult’ album number two. It’s all a far cry from the first time I sawhim with just a guitar, as a support for Katie Melua in February 2004.
Blunt has achieved all this in the UK and USA without an ego.
One question arises. Will the Brits trophies end up in the loo, with hisother gongs?
Weblink:James Blunt.com
The full list of tracks included are :
DVD
1. Billy
2. High
3. Wisemen
4. Goodbye My Lover
5. Tears And Rain
6. Out Of My Mind
7. So Long, Jimmy
8. You’re Beautiful
9. Cry
10. No Bravery
11. Where Is My Mind
Videos & Extras
1. High (video & making of)
2. Wisemen (video & making of)
3. You’re Beautiful (video & making of)
4. High (2005 & making of)
5. Goodbye My Lover (video & making of)
6. Being Blunt (documentary)
7. Interview
8. Photo gallery
CD
1. Wisemen
2. High
3. Cry
4. Goodbye My Lover
5. So Long, Jimmy
6. Sugar Coated
7. You’re Beautiful
8. Billy
9. Fall At Your Feet
10. Tears And Rain
11. No Bravery
12. Where Is My Mind?
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.