When Jamie Cullum performed his first tour over 22 years ago the support act was Amy Winehouse, in Paris that duty belonged to Billy Lockett the British singer songwriter who appeared on the The Voice, the TV talent show.
Lockett has been supporting Jamie Cullum on his current European tour since last autumn, from when I first saw him on the tour in York his confidence and rapport with the audience has grown immensely. The Parisian audience fell under his spell as he swapped between acoustic guitar and piano effortlessly with songs I Could Use a Friend and Hard Act to Follow sounding like they both should be chart hits.
When Jamie Cullum first appeared on the scene he was heralded as the new young star who was going to give the jazz scene a much needed youthful influence. Now aged forty five Cullum appeared not to have lost his enthusiasm and energy as he appeared on the second of two nights at the iconic L’Olympia theatre in Paris.
An acapella version of the Cole Porter classic I Get a Kick out of You with Cullum and his talented band standing centre stage was an unusual start to what was to be a two hour journey through his career to date. The stark and bare opening showcased the skill and the masterful performance that are always a given with one of his performances.
These Are the Days indeed took the audience back to his early days, though never one to stand still it was not long before he took his customary walk through the fans as he performed Mankind, shaking hands and delighting the audience as traversed through the auditorium.
Taking time out to perform his best French was a gesture which was not lost on the sold out audience. Sharing that he had earlier in the day visited the renovated Notre Dame cathedral and got soaked in the rain on his return to the hotel, gave the evening a personal touch, even describing how he was mistaken in a cafe for being Bruno Mars!
Aptly his version of Mars’ Uptown Funk was suitably given a jazzy makeover, though it was his own tracks such as Twentysomething and When I Get Famous that resonated with his fans.
As he stood on top of his piano and then jumping off onto the stage floor his exuberance had not been lost on the audience who were now up on their feet as the party mood continued with You and Me Are Gone.
With All at Sea his voice was emotional, the mood was respectful and a mutual appreciation prevailed leaving only What a Difference a Day Made to conclude what had been a enjoyable, entertaining and evocative performance - Tres Bien, as they say in France.
