Wednesday, 18 December 2019

Jamie Cullum - It's Christmas / Christmas Don't Let Me Down


ONE WEEK UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy Jamie's Christmas single here (Amazon GB)

If Robbie Williams is the new king of Christmas, then I am ready for his pal Jamie Cullum (who Robbie duets with on Merry Christmas Everybody) to be the most wonderful time of the year's Viscount of Elfridges (or something). Jamie has already committed to Show Me The Magic every holiday season, thanks to his sparkling single from a few years ago (see Ghosts of Christmas Past below). This year he brings two new festive classics to the table to feast on - and both are entirely enchanting in their own way. First up is It's Christmas, a cheeky yet heartfelt plea for us all to put differences aside and embrace the spirit of the season. It is rare that a 3 minute perfect pop song exists nowadays but Jamie has lovingly crafted one here just for the holidays. His engaging voice is swathed in sassy, brassy horns whilst sweeping strings gracefully dance around the elegant piano melody. His words are sung with such encouragement that it is hard not to get caught up in the enthusiasm of his performance. Equally difficult - resisting the shimmying allure of that sumptuous score and irrepressible refrain as you grab the one you love and dance like no one is watching. He urges you to make some new memories - and you absolutely get the sense that those memories will be soundtracked by this song for many Christmases to come.

Christmas Don't Let Me Down is a far more stately and sombre affair - but Christmas is definitely a time of heightened emotions where the full range of human feelings can be experienced within minutes (just watch Love Actually). Once again, the horn section here makes itself invaluable through a regal bugle sound that feels like it has traversed the passages of time from Victorian England. Jamie sings of his hope that the season will bring a little light into the world, show him the magic that he knows is out there just waiting to be found. His voice is tinged with an elegiac melancholy but ultimately soars with euphoric optimism. He works is beautiful harmony with the decadent, rousing instrumental to send tingles of ecstasy shivering down your spine. Jamie has always been a masterful story teller and when he imbues the narrative with his own emotions it becomes absolutely compelling. An instant classic that you should play often - and not just at Christmas. I'm pretty sure it is going to be ok to give this a spin whenever your soul needs a little boost...

**Ghosts of Christmas past**
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