June 2nd. Atlanta, Tabernacle. Unplugged. James Blunt will perform six of his songs. I'm driving five hours one-way to hear six songs. I've thrown logic and reason out the window since they thought I was an idiot and I've embraced unbridled enthusiasm as my new best friend. I think we are going to have a good time. :-D
The link below will take you to twenty one minutes of James Blunt and his band in concert. I take my hat off to RTÉ Television for posting the video. Next to the DVD chasing time: the bedlam sessions this is the best video of James singing several of his songs I can find. Enjoy.
The RTÉ performance.
Now, for the necessary eye candy
When logic and reason get thrown out the window is usually when we end up having the most fun. You are going to have an abso*lutely firstclass evening as you well know and 10 hours in a car will be a small price to pay for that priviledge. :-)
ReplyDeleteSunshine, it feels good to feel and act like a kid with not a worry in the world nor a calculation in the brain. His music touches something deep inside of me that no other artist has ever touched. Hard to explain and those that don't feel that same connection to his music look at me kinda funny but none of that really matters.
ReplyDeleteI put the link up because I really feel James is an artist that you must see and hear, not just hear. His mere presence, the physical side of his performance is very important. The two together, the music and lyrics in combination with his perfomance create a very synergistic effect, at least for me for more reasons than I have time to list.
Thanks to you and everyone else allowing me this blogging indulgence. :-)
Tree, I was given his CD a few weeks ago and I was completely blown away. Very powerful stuff. I would love to see him in concert... (Smiling) do indulge yourself, it's all good!
ReplyDeleteHugs sweetie! ~Y ;-)
Y, he will be in Austin on June 3rd. I believe he will do a similar unplugged set along with a few other artists. If you really want to see him, now is your chance. :-)
ReplyDeleteJust got back from Target, which apparently has an exclusive in throwing a second CD into the BtB package. The second CD is called "monkey on my shoulder EP--from the original demo collection."
ReplyDeleteThe five demo songs included are Cry, High, Sugar Coated, GML, and Butterfly. They are demo quality and I'm a bit puzzled by two things. First, when a concert goer asked James to sign the cover to this extra CD he mentioned he had never seen it before and second, the quality of these demos are not something I would think any artist would want released. I would love to know how Target got permission to release these.
Having said that, if you want to hear some pretty raw and not too good demos, then for $1 more you can buy the BtB CD at Target with the extra CD included. It is nice to hear Butterfly sung for the first time. Overall, unless you just can't live with all things Blunt, I would skip purchasing this extra.
Of interest, however, is two things. One, James seems to have come quite a ways in his voice work. Two, the songs themselves also improved with some tweaking. Most evident is High. On the demo, the beat is probably 1/8 or more slower and High just puts you to sleep. The offical released version corrects this and moves at just the right tempo.
If I had not heard him sing live, I would be having serious doubts right now about how "produced" his voice was on the BtB CD. Having heard him in Nashville last week, as I mentioned on the boards, I was very pleasantly surprised that there is very little difference between his voice on the CD and his live performance. Once again, I have to believe this is evidence of a lot of work on James' part with a coach or, perhaps, he just wasn't really trying too hard on these demos.
No charge for this consumer alert. :-D
June 6th--new release: String Quartet Tribute to James Blunt (CD)
ReplyDeleteProduct Description
This stunning album takes songs from James Blunt’s groundbreaking debut and transforms them into miniature symphonic masterpieces. Violins, viola and cello combine in alluring and innovative arrangements, presenting each song in an engaging new light. Favorites such as "You’re Beautiful," "High," and "Wisemen" are naturally suited to strings, which highlight the melody and sentiment of these captivating songs.
Truth be told, The CD was actually given to me with a note saying, "track #4 is for you." This is a beautiful song. This is the first time I've seen the video. Thanks for sharing it sweetie! :-)
ReplyDeleteY, you are most welcome. I think you really need to see him perform live now. GML is one of the songs he performs solo so I would imagine that will be on his unplugged set. Just him and the piano. Good luck with those tickets.
ReplyDeletewait a minute...is that song that they played
ReplyDeletewhen Marissa got snuffed a James Blunt tune?
the one with halleluiah in it? i really liked that
song when i heard it a while ago, and i asked
my daughter, a devoted O.C. fan what it
was or who it was by and she wasnt sure....
Lisa, not sure, but if it had halleluiah in it I don't think it was a Blunt song.
ReplyDeleteBlunty boy again :*( Miss him badly!
ReplyDeleteKeshi.
I'll pass your hello along if I see him in a couple weeks. :-)
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you this week my dear angel.
I see you've gotten even more into James music. He is a majestical poet with words and music. He has an "essence" within him don't you think? A prescence of "Trueness" clear and consise, very rare these days.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Rhi
G'morning, hope you have a fantastically happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteWe have a big fan of James Blunt here, huh?
ReplyDeleteI've only heard that "You are beautiful" song, nice, but does he sound a bit like, uhm, a female?
(I used to think MJ was a female singer....)
Rhi, I think you have said it very well. He makes everyone else sound like they are just singing, just performing. James sounds like he is living through his music. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sunshine. I got some very good news--work related--over the weekend so my mood has a little extra boost this morning. Hope your fantastic Monday is off to a flying start. :-)
ReplyDeleteSaffy, I've fallen hard for that girly voice of James'. :-D
ReplyDeleteIn concert he jokes about his voice sounding like that of a girl and in many ways, it does. More important, I think, his voice sounds sincere in delivering his lyrics. He doesn't so much sound like an artist singing as much as a guy telling you his very heartfelt story of love lost.
Yey, new link! :-)
ReplyDeleteSunshine, enjoy the stripped--raw and real--recordings. I really liked Rob Thomas here too.
ReplyDeleteNow I have to ask, are you up early or did you just decide not to go to bed tonight? :-)
Made my morning, that did, was brilliant.
ReplyDeleteWorked all night, it's madness, pure and simple, somethings gotta give and soon.
Sweet and beautiful dreams when you get that far, poppet, and thanks for the link, I'll be watching that again, and again and again..:-)
Well, it was poppet's idea. He thought you might enjoy a little James and the boys.
ReplyDeleteWhat I really like about the Stripped recordings is they really are not all that different than his album. I really like the realness of his music.
Good morning my dear. Can I get you another cup of coffee? :-)
I was amazed, and not really, at yet another intense and emotional redition of GML - just as I was saying listening to this album never diminishes my want to listen to it, so too it seems that he sings it anew (for lack of a better word) each time.
ReplyDeleteHot, dark & strong, thanks :-)
You are making me smile. By the way, that was me that just sent you the email for James Blunt Radio via Pandora. Very interesting concept for discovering new music similar to what you already like.
ReplyDeleteHang tight while I grab that coffee in an off-white cup with a slight lip. :-)
You and your slight lip :-) Remind me a little of that scene in 'When Harry met Sally", no not that scene, the one where she simply orders her food, she knows exactly what she wants and doesn't settle for anything less.
ReplyDeleteEven I have it burned on my brain: fresh ground italien roast 4 mins in a french press served black, no sugar in an off-white cup with no lip. :-D
Email?
typo, no = slight, darn, so close to an 'A'
ReplyDelete(Spot who had no sleep and will be silly for the remainder of the day! :)
Okay, I resent the email. It should have a link for James Blunt Radio. Let me know if you don't get it.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, you do have the coffee down. No worries there. :-D
Got it! Thanks, xo
ReplyDeleteGive it a try and let me know what you think. Sweet slumber is just a few minutes away for poppet. :-D
ReplyDeleteAm listening and will do.
ReplyDeleteNight, my sweet, sleep tight, x
you guys are making me giggle.
ReplyDelete(T and A!!)
okay, A and T, sorry, my bad....
Lisa, we are founding members of Smiles Inc, so your response is to be expected and welcomed. No charge, by the way. :-D
ReplyDeleteSunshine, after watching GML again, the Stripped version, I'm not so sure this isn't my favorite version to date. Something very, very intimate in his delivery on this version. Just fan-f***ing-tastic!
ReplyDeleteGet some rest sweetie. Promise, the world will keep spinning if you do. :-)
Inclined to agree, even before you said it. Don't tell anyone I said this, but there is this one part where he seems to have to gulp down a lump so to speak - hold back his tears, silly that I am, I take them onboard for him.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a lovely day.
Lisa :-D
Anyone watch James on David Letterman last night? Interesting performance of High. James looked a little uptight, but it did look like he actually took a shower and washed his hair for the show. :-D
ReplyDeleteThere was no interview with Letterman, just the one song and then the show was over.
I hate to say it...but I've gotten sooo tired of that James Blunt song. They've just overplayed it to death.
ReplyDeleteI think James has to be seen to be fully appreciated. I saw him in Nashville and I've watched his DVD more times than I care to admit but I will say, at least for me, the appeal of his music is watching him perform it. I think if all I had was the CD, and I had only ever just heard his songs, I'm not sure I would be as taken with his music as I am. His performance, seeing it, takes his music to another level.
ReplyDeleteThere is no one else I would drive five hours to see play six songs like I'm doing to see James a week from today. I really think he is that good.
At this very moment, you must be buzzing! :-D
ReplyDeleteI just tried to visit Keshi and I got locked up on some password thing, had to restart the computer to get back out. Once before I kept getting locked up there, yet it wasn't happening to anyone else, so since you would head over there at some point, would you let me know when you do if it is off limits (makes sense that it might be) to everyone. Thanks, x
(makes sense that it might be, whilst she is taking a break)
ReplyDeleteSunshine, got the password thing but was able to cancel it and everything else worked just fine.
ReplyDelete