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James Blunt |
First off I'd like to thank my friend Kevin for bringing me along to see this show. You can't imagine how hard it was to get tickets and he came through. :) There were 2 opening acts. First was a woman, Sierra Swan, who I'd like to say reminded me a bit of Fiona Apple / Tori Amos type. With a huskier voice. Not sure if that's really the right adjective, but it's the first thing that came to my mind. Her performance was pleasant though. The cellist was great. Added a lot of romanticism to her songs. Her album isn't out yet so at the end of her set when she announced that she had some free cds out in the lobby. Naturally I thought I'd check it out. When I got there though this woman just reached into the box containing the rest of the cds and hogged up the rest of them. Swear there was at least 10 discs in her hand. While waiting an eternity to get my tour program and shirt people kept asking for it. The second act was The Boy Least Likely To. A group of 5 British blokes and I think a woman who played the violin and keys. Now these guys reminded me of one of my favorite bands, Minibar, only younger and still in the drug experimentation stages (not to say they were on drugs). Let me elaborate on that I guess...there was some very happy go lucky British alt-twang rock thing going on who could possibly have a career in a childrens' morning show. They're a very animated group and had quite a few fans in the audience waving and stuff. They showed us different instruments and teased us with a little bit of Survivor's "Eye Of The Tiger." I couldn't catch the name of a lot of their songs. Just one word here and there like "Tiger" "Spiders" and "Monsters" which was a tribute to the people of their hometown. Then ahhhhhh! It was James Blunt and his band gracing the stage. It was a slightly unusual choice for a first song, "Breathe" - which I had to look up on Google since I don't ever recall hearing from any of his cds I owned. It was very nice though. He should record it. "Billy" came next (if I read correctly from my chicken scratch handwriting). "High" followed - which probably would've been my pick for the next single or show opener. Oh, it sounded so wonderful. "Cry" came next. "Goodbye My Lover" followed with James solo on the piano. That was so moving. Even though there were people screaming during it which killed the mood a little (okay I admit it one of those screams was from me). Funny quote from James though that Kevin pointed out to me before the show started in his program "Oh, and do me a favour? Please could you ask that person talking beside you during 'Goodbye My Lover' to keep it down? - I'm trying to make some girl in the front row cry." Blunt can be so funny for a guy who can make you cry so easily. The guys brought the mood back up when they said they were doing a special song...and might never do it again. It was a cover of Slade's "Cos I Love You" to which James said we could see one of his band members dance...and if we were foolish enough we could do it too. Before "Tears and Rain" James told the audience something to the effect that the song was exclusive since he's the only one who could ever sing it (like a little girl). Beautifully done as my 3rd favorite song off of his cd. Then another new (sort of) track "I Really Want You." Then there was "Out Of My Mind" with a little sing-a-long at the end. "No Bravery" followed with a projected screen of "home" videos he took while serving in Kosovo. It was really sad and depressing in the good reflective way though. James played it the only way he should, solo on the piano. He did another song I was unfamiliar with until I googled up the lyrics called "Same Mistake" (have a bit of this recorded). A tease again when he asked the audience if we knew "Hotel California" - then admitted he didn't. So bad. Then my favorite James song (and the first one I ever heard back in early fall of last year) "Wisemen." "So Long Jimmy" rounded out the rest of the set. A brief wait and then the encore which started off with a cover of The Pixies' "Where Is My Mind" to my relief I did find on one of my Blunt cds. Then of course "You're Beautiful." He would've been a fool to not sing that one! It sounded as beautiful as ever. It's one of those songs I can listen to a million times and never get sick of it. If I did, well...there's a handful of parodies out there to make me crawl back to the original. Did you know there was a dance version of this? Sounds kind of wrong and poorly done. Anyways...everyone was singing along with the uncensored lyrics. We know it...and there's no reason to hide it! Flying / F**king...whatever you try and cover it up with. :) I had a fantabulous time at the show. Everyone should go see him live (before I abduct him) and realize he's just not some sappy songwriter. This guy can rock it too and I'm hoping to see him again (and again) if America doesn't turn him into another one hit wonder. |
