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Elly Roberts reviews
The Bedlam Sessions: 
Flushed with recent successes– a triumphant show at LA’s House of Blues,two Brits, the single You’re Beautiful at No.1 in the USA Billboard Hot 100and album at No.5 in the Billboard Hot 200, the unstoppable James Bluntjuggernaut stormed into Manchester.
The ex-army captain’s life has been bedlam in the past 12 months, as he setsout to conquer the world; right now he’s hot property. In sharp contrast tohis support for Katie Melua in Liverpool two years ago, pop’s new heartthrob has come a long way in a short time. His new found fame has boostedhis confidence, to the extent he’s dramatically sharpened and beefed up hislive performance.
Previously, his lack-lustre stage persona was compensatedfor by his achingly beautiful songs. Now it’s an ‘up and at ’em’ approach.Predictably, he was greeted by hysterical scenes from youngsters to mums anddads. Flying out of the wings, he paraded stage front with acoustic guitarin tow.
Breathe, a new song went virtually unnoticed due to screams andwhistles echoing the third sold out night at the Apollo. It was a totallyunexpected ‘attack’ from the humble man of pop, but it had the desiredeffect. He soon took up a familiar stance behind the mic, for what would bevirtually the same setlist he’s used for the past five months.
Nevertheless,he had his adoring fans in the palm of his hand from the outset, and kept itthat way for an hour and fifteen minutes: one album and a small clutch ofnew songs is all he has right now. Second song in, he’s into ‘Back ToBedlam’ territory – Billy, High and Cry raise the roof, while mobile phonesflash like the paparazzi gone nuts.
Stage lights dimmed, the banddisappeared into the darkness. He fronted his piano. Three spotlightsfocused on his solitary figure. He stopped for a breather and said, “I knowyou’ve come here for some fun. So I’ll play something really miserable”,bringing roars of laughter. A heart wrenching Goodbye My Lover got thegirls going – this is the effect his music has had on the nation. He poundedthe piano so much; it rocked precariously on its platform – a breathtakingmoment.
Band re-assembled, he followed with his first cover – a belting version ofSlade’s Coz I Luv You. Moving to the front again, Blunt egged – on thecrowd, setting off the crowd once more. Taking it down, Tears And Rainsteadied the pace for bit. New song, I Really Want You, got the crowdlistening intently for what might be included on his next album, beingrecorded in eight months. It’s well received. Back for another solo on keys,the chilling No Bravery, arguably his best song, about the atrocities inKosovo, was complimented by film footage from the Balkans war – a truly showstopping moment as the venue fell deathly silent, mirroring the devastatingscenes.
Perking things up on the final lap, proscenium lights, smoke, and colouredlights add a bit of glam, as Blunt delves into Same Mistake, the soonre-released Wisemen and rousing So Long, Jimmy.
A rowdy standing ovation ensued, but there was time for a little more.Newly-penned Where Is My Mind restarts. More confident PR follows – gushing withpride he says, “We’ve had a great time Manchester – this is for you!” Again,screams and whistles prefix the opening chords of his signature tune; You’reBeautiful, which has just re-entered the charts. For almost three minutesthe crowd gave it their all.
Creaming every ounce of his final ovation, he left us with, “Thank you forcoming Manchester – you’re the stars.”
Last summer he entered the British consciousness – this night heconsolidated it.
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.