Prom 36: 11.08.16 - Jamie Cullum Prom

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

22:15 Thursday 11 Aug 2016 ON TV
Royal Albert Hall

A take on a collection of pop songs, in the spirit of
The Song Society – Cullum’s project to create fast
and loose covers of favourite tracks.

Jamie Cullum, piano/vocals
The Roundhouse Choir
The Heritage Orchestra
Jules Buckley conductor

Straddling the boundaries of jazz, pop and rock, Jamie Cullum returns for another Late Night Prom after his sell-out appearance in 2010.

This time, backed by the Roundhouse Choir and Heritage Orchestra, he offers his own take on a collection of pop songs, in the spirit of The Song Society – Cullum’s project to create fast and loose covers of favourite tracks.

He brings the same approach of new discovery both to his use of the wide array of instruments available and to exploring the distinctive space of the Royal Albert Hall.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07myrdk

[kernelbogey]

I dipped into the tv transmission of this out of morbid curiosity. I notice that no one has commented on this Prom. JC is clearly a talented entertainer, with a significant following - I had barely heard of him - but I don't understand the rationale for his inclusion in this 'classical festival'. No doubt there has been comment elsewhere on the Forum about the inclusion of such concerts: I cannot conceive of a valid justification, whether it's for making R3 seem less stuffy, or broadening its musical base. If Jamie Cullum, why not the Stones? Or an eighties retro concert with tribute bands for Abba et al?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I cannot conceive of a valid justification, whether it's for making R3 seem less stuffy, or broadening its musical base. If Jamie Cullum, why not the Stones? Or an eighties retro concert with tribute bands for Abba et al?

I think they're trying to give an impression of being "broadminded". However, it all seems rather pathetic.

[BBMmk2]

Glad I missed it!!!

[Alison]

Totally agree messages 2, 3 and 4.

[Tetrachord]

I absolutely loved Jamie singing for Clint's film "Gran Torino". What a magnificent film, fabulous actor/director and totally appropriate song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoLc43YuuTw

[gurnemanz]

I didn't watch but would not object to the occasional late night Prom branching out from straight classical. If they are going to do this, though, it would surely have been more adventurous to have given the slot to an artist who hasn't already occupied it once before.

[zola]

I didn't watch but would not object to the occasional late night Prom branching out from straight classical. If they are going to do this, though, it would surely have been more adventurous to have given the slot to an artist who hasn't already occupied it once before.

Favoured son though isn't he ? Own weekly Radio Two programme. Keeping the brand visible.

[Serial_Apologist]

I absolutely loved Jamie singing for Clint's film "Gran Torino". What a magnificent film, fabulous actor/director and totally appropriate song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoLc43YuuTw

It's precisely his voice that grates for me - real finger nail on blackboard stuff. He's a good jazz pianist, though, and would have been even better had he concentrated on developing his musical personality on that instrument instead.

[marvin]

Not my cup of tea at all and I am probably one of the least stuffy persons on this forum with eclectic tastes in music, embracing dance music, musicals and of course my first love 'classical' music.

[underthecountertenor]

Not my cup of tea at all and I am probably one of the least stuffy persons on this forum with eclectic tastes in music, embracing dance music, musicals and of course my first love 'classical' music.

Likewise. I just find him, and everything he does, incredibly irritating. And I don't really know why. It's visceral.

[oddoneout]

. And I don't really know why. It's visceral.

That's true of a great deal in the music world I would have thought, and is at the root of a lot of heated discussions. Just because music is well performed doesn't make it likeable if your gut instinct or reaction is 'nooooh'. On the plus side if the visceral reaction is positive there's little to beat it for making the world a better place, even if only temporarily.

[Nick Armstrong]

Likewise. I just find him, and everything he does, incredibly irritating. And I don't really know why. It's visceral.

I'll join you, marvin and others in that boat, if I may - wholeheartedly

[Tetrachord]

As I said earlier, I love Cullum singing for "Gran Torino" but I have no other experience of this singer other than one appearance on "Parkinson" some time ago. He acquitted himself well enough there, but I wouldn't go out and buy anything he recorded. Also, he slips seriously out of tune trying to negotiated the low registers in the "Gran Torino" theme song, but I felt he could get away with it because failing to hit the right notes covered the film's themes - about a man who is alienated and falls out with his family and his community.