Jamie Cullum

[FP]

Why is he so popular?  Is it just the amount of publicity he is receiving?  I think he is very mediocre and uninspiring. 

[Scarlett]

Oh, I don't know! He is pretty. He is quite sexy, as he is a good singer for someone so young. And he is a corking piano player. I like him. I really like his Everlasting Love cover.

[robbyk]

He is loverly and he is quite good for his age and there is a new cover song by him which is fanbl**dytastic

 

[brian_uk]

Wait to hear Matt Dusk from The Casino TV prog. He is great

[gleno lloyd]

he has ruined everlasting love

[Bangkok]

Ah, the joys of being overseas.  Not only I have I never heard him, I've never heard of him.

[Weaza_cfc]

Well Bangkok, you be one of the lucky ones!

 I can see he appeal for some; as others have said, some find him "pretty", and he has an ok voice. But personally, i do not get this whole big band revival thats going on. I find his voice whiny and i cannot stand jazz, so i cant lbring myself to listen to him for a period longer than 2 minutes. He is popular because some people enjoy listening to his music - even if people like you and me find it hard to believe!

[andy hughes]

Jamie Cullum is jazz-lite for people who don't really like music per se, but want something in the background for driving, ironing, and so on. Music of any genre, except 'easy listening', should have some edge, some definition, something that reaches the listener on on or more levels. There has always been a massive market for artists who can take a song or tune that has had that effect, and then remove all the edges and impact for it, which makes it suitable for the 'general' listener who is not interested in the original intentions of the artist. Step forward Jame Last, who has made a massive succesful career out of exactly this formula. Now, for the up-coming genreation are the modern MOR stars - katie Melua, Joss Stone, Jamie Cullum, and so on. The market for undemanding simple soft melodies is there, and it's a hell of a lot bigger than any sales someone like Miles Davis could ever hope to achieve. So, Jamie takes a hit and just about hangs on to the recogniseable melody, and gives it a 'jazz' arrangement, and thousands of people buy it, and tell themselves, and each other, that they are 'jazz fans'. It may not be true, but since when did the truth get in the way of selling anything! For the record, I find JC's version of 'Everlasting Love' completely unlistenable, but for every one like me, there are a hundred thousand who think Jamie is'cool'.

[FP]

Miles Davis Andy, now you are talking! 

 

I agree with Andy (as usual!)  It is mediocre background music.  I quite like real jazz when I am in the mood to listen to it.  JC has just cashed on the current craze.

 

I don't even think he is 'pretty'.  But then I am too old to know!

[FP]

.... and I absolutely hate his version of 'Everlasting Love'!

[funkyrich]

 I think people are confusing the term "crooner" with a jazz singer as there is a difference between the two.People such as Jamie Cullum,Michael buble et al seem to be marketed on the enduring appeal of Frank Sinatra and/or rat pack nostalgia.

I love jazz music but realise that John Coltrane/miles Davies types do not sell in large numbers to housewives etc..

Having said all this I think Jamie does his thing well and I like his version of n.e.r.d's "Frontin".

[romko]

Right on Andy H!

Any artist making a career out f covers of others' work is suspect - I don't think I have heard a Jamie cullum composition. It really is just croony easy listening, useful for mediocre folk to convince themselves they are spohisticated . 

Those who think this is somehow more elevated than the awful Stars in your eyes/Pop Idol manufactured groups need to take a look at the forms involved. JC is all looks and theatrics and little else.

[lodekka]

Andy - couldn't have put that better myself, though I've always used the term "music for people who don't like music" with regard to tinpot local radio.