It was a hard room to charm. A hundred or so canapé-chomping industry types gathered in a low-lit Ronnie Scott's on a rainy Wednesday afternoon. Singer-songwriter James Blunt looked far from intimidated though, strolling onstage and launching straight into a series of tracks from his about-to-be-released debut album Back to Bedlam. Mind you he has every right to look so confident and relaxed, he's recently supported Elton John and Atlantic Records are obviously keen to give him a major push in this country.
Charismatic and attractive in a khaki t-shirt and jeans, Blunt's artfully tousled hair frames an intelligent smile. And he certainly has plenty of stage presence, quipping with the audience and joking about having already attracted his "first stalker". He's an equally skilled performer, seeming just as at home fronting a four-piece band as he does singing with just the minimal accompaniment of a keyboard. His voice is one of his strongest assets, agreeably clear and strong, if often surprisingly high.
As for the songs, well since this was a promotional event rather than a genuine gig we heard only five of them, but each one was solidly crafted and winningly poppy. Lyrically however, he veers dangerously close to cliché on a number of occasions, saying nothing particularly original, albeit in a catchy, pleasant enough manner. Complaining about clichés in pop music might be a bit picky, after all romantic comedies will always need soundtracks, but they marred what should have been the stand out moment of his set.
In No Bravery, Blunt swapped the backing band for just a keyboard, informing the audience as he did so that this next number was about Kosovo 1999. It was a daring contrast to the upbeat likes of forthcoming single High but do we really need to be told that what happened in the Balkans was appalling and totally devoid of honour? That innocent people lost their lives and there were tear-stained children in the street with their "arms raised up to the sky?"
To be fair Blunt hasn't just landed on this subject at random, he served as a soldier in the former Yugoslavia and obviously knows what he's talking about. He sings from personal experience and handles the material with the right amount of respect without straying into sentimentality. You just know that this will be the hook that sets him apart from the other pretty boys with guitars, that raises him one rung above the rest. His willingness to step away from the usual introspective angst and use his music to explore greater themes should be applauded but the song just didn't have the effect that it probably should have.
After this brief but slick set Blunt exits the stage leaving behind a generally approving crowd. He'll be playing some proper dates later in October and it will be interesting to see him in a normal context rather than playing for such an overtly media audience. He's undeniably talented, and in all likelihood will soon be a massive success, but you will be left wishing he'd take a few more risks, especially with his lyrics.
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