Ben Cullum (2-4, 6-7, 12-14) Background Vocals, Electric Bass
Sebastiaan de Krom (2, 5, 8-12) Drums
London Session Orchestra - led by Gavyn Wright (8-9, 11) Strings
Ian Thomas (2-4, 6-7, 12-14) Drums
James Gadson (1) Drums
Dan Nakamura (1) Programming
Alan Barnes (9) Alto Saxophone
Explosive singer, songwriter, and pianist Jamie Cullum -- a two-million selling GRAMMY® nominee whose breakout album Twentysomething was a worldwide smash last year -- has finished work on his newest release, Catching Tales, confirmed for U.S. release October 11, on Verve Forecast. Recorded in London and Los Angeles between April and June of this year and produced by Twentysomething producer Stewart Levine, the album showcases both Cullum's raw energy and insatiable musical curiosity and creativity.
Catching Tales kicks off with a bang -- literally -- with the lead off track "Get Your Way," a strutting backbeat-driven collaboration with Dan the Automator. Other highlights include the wistful 'London Skies,' the easy groove of 'Mind Trick' and the lyrical touchstone 'Photograph.' Consisting primarily of originals (plus a few choice standards like the smoky 'I Only Have Eyes For You' and a cheeky cover of 'Our Day Will Come') the songs of Catching Tales were borne of the introspection and spontaneity that is the twenty six year old's trademark.
"Songwriters often talk about how songs are caught, or grabbed out of the ether" says Cullum of the writing process. "This was clearly the experience for me during the first three months of this year. What solidified this was the way the album was recorded. It was done quickly. We caught the tracks in a net and trapped them in a CD - live."
The release comes on the heels of a remarkable run for Jamie. Released in the U.K. in the fall of 2003 and in the U.S. in mid-2004, Jamie's Twentysomething marked the "the American debut of a major talent, a young man we will be hearing from for a long time," said Downbeat. At every turn Jamie proved a success with fans and critics alike, and his debut notched over two million in sales (including almost 400,000 in the U.S.) and garnered a GRAMMY® nomination. Highlights range from a perfect four-star review in People to best singer of the year honors in Vanity Fair; from dazzling concert reviews in the New York Times and Variety to raves in Rolling Stone, Esquire, GQ, Interview; from a sweep of major late night shows to slots on the Today Show and Austin City Limits.
Jamie will be back on U.S. stages in the coming months, with select dates planned for the fall and extensive touring beginning in early 2006.
