Blown away by James Morrison I was!! *fake english accent.
English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and my music idol. Needless to say, I think he's got amazing stage presence, which only complements his versatile voice even more. Born in poverty, he really rose up and made the most of his life, having several top hits, and having such meaningful, artistic songs. He even opened for Corrine Bailey Rae for awhile. He's more than just a preacher of messages through his songs, I think that he's living proof of what he sings about. Accomplishing great success and emerging despite his background to become the great musician he is today. As though his deeply soulful, raspy and husky voice wasen't enough to seal the deal. Wondering why his voice is so unique? James Morrison had whooping cough as a baby and almost died!
To me, his songs aren't just tunes, they're music, the way music was meant to be, the way music used to mean something. Soulful, jazzy, and full of emotion, his songs are easy to connect with. Some about love, some about loss, some about struggle. Everyone goes through that in some degree or other.
He came on set at the Esplanade with a full band, ready to go with a BANG! HERE I AM SINGAPOREEEE! vibe, swiftly leaping onto stage and starting his first song, with two vocalists, 2 keyboardists (one piano and one organ i presume), a bassist, an electric guitarist and a drummer. The drums had heavy beats of reggae, jazz and hip hop, while the singers and instrumentalists, 6 others, melded into a perfect symphony for each song, with James as a frontman of course, and acoustic guitarist, switching easily between the acoustic, classical, and 12 string guitar. Did i mention, he was moving non-stop across to and fro on the stage, as if his guitar weighed nothing more than a feather, and strumming crisp, neat strokes on his guitar with such ease. I basically just watched, enchanted by the easiness of his being on stage. His exuding confidence matched his hyper-happiness on stage, really bringing out the cheery, ecstatic tones of his songs.
My favourite song from his album "The Awakening" would be "In My Dreams" which he wrote when his father passed away. While it's got a poppy, blissful tune of dreaming, and being grateful to see someone again, even if just in the imagined facade of a dream, where there is suspended disbelief and reality if forcefully, unwantedly forgotten, the melancholic reminiscence of missing someone shines through. How he put that emotion in words, in a song, baffles me. He really is pure genius. There's always someone you miss. People come and go =P
He sang continuously, like one song would end and the beat would merge into the next song, or he'd just burst into it, or do a slow solo of hums and scat-singing, with lots and lots of improvisations, soulful riffs only someone like him could sing perfectly. He really got into the groove, with his sassy attitude, getting the music pumping up loud and everyone up dancing (and some girls screaming) and made the crowd sway to his slower, more lamenting songs. Some of the many hits he sang included 'Up', 'Broken Strings', 'beautiful life', 'slave to the music' (that was a fun funky dance number ;) ) 'you give me something', 'i won't let you go', 'only night' and "you make it real".
And he ended his performance with the song I like most, 'Wonderful World'. SO SWEET!
-And I know it's a wonderful world, from the sky down to the sea-
-but i can only feel it when you're here, here with me-
and yes, his voice is amazing. I could rave on about it endlessly!
Another part I really liked was a soft beat on the rim of the snare drum by the drummer, and the shaker. Catchy, groovy enough to dance to, yet simple =) while James Morrison punched chords on his guitar, playing with palm mutes and different timbres. The reggae beat in "you give me something" was really happening! haha and hyphy-inducing, and got everyone moving to the beat, and they faded out, with the drummer focusing on the cymbals intently, as though thinking to himself "i'm a mouse.. quiet as a mouse as the beat got softer and softer HAHA!
look everyone's dancing, in a full-house, sold-out concert (as if anyone is surprised. c'mon people. HAHA)
AND TO END IT OFF! James Morrison was soaking wet from dancing all night under the spotlight. Bouncing on stage from left to right, his sureness and mobility on stage, he flicked his hair as he head-banged to the pounding beats amongst soaring vocals, and yes, i was so upclose that I saw his beads of sweat flying out. how rockstar looking is he! and his keyboardist with a mini-afro was headbanging too, his afro-do bouncing too and fro, very hipster indeed HAHA! not to mention how he stripped his shirt at the end the awesome encore, topping the night and ending the concert on a high note (>_<)"
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| taking a bow! |
but yes, James Morrison delivered nothing but awesomeness in an amazing concert, good enough to get the crowd dancing (how often does that happen in Singapore)!! guess i'll see you 'in my dreams'!!! So thanks to GreenHorn for bringing JM in, and thanks Kevin for sharing with me the chance to experience the dream HAHA and always supporting me with my dreams =)
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| hip hat |
To compare, James Morrison's concert was definitely more upbeat, louder, and crazier than the MTV session in March that was more intimate. but it's all amazing to watch. =)
COME BACK SOON JAMES MORRISON!! CELLE LOVES YOUR CONCERTS!
And here are some old photos from March..but forever in my memory *melts. *sighh =))
{it's a rollercoaster ride with your heart pumping, a billion thoughts running through your mind, and your body too paralysed to move/speak when you meet your inspiration.}
autographed album!
and again, thank you thank you Kevin, for without whom I would never had this dream come true.
un-be-frickin-lievable =D
