Rock-maninov? No, Jamie Cullum!

Grande Caramel Macchiato $4. A Pint of Guiness [at the 930 Club] $8. Gas $12. Tickets $35. Seeing Jamie Cullum for a phenomenal 2.5 hour set in which he remixes varies R&B, Pop, and Rock songs into jazz piano tunes...priceless.

Wow...I don't really know what to say. I didn't expect this show to be as ridiculously good as it was. Tied with the John Vanderslice show, this is the longest set that I've ever seen anyone perform. And talk about performing! Jamie Cullum [and his innovative band members] was just out of this world. Including playing his own songs he decided to take some songs and make them into piano jazz melodies. Including 'Gold Digger' by Kanye West, 'Rocketman' by Elton John, 'One Thing' by Amerie, and 'Don't Cha' by The Pussycat Dolls. The set also included the twentysomething phenom banging on (1) Drums in several Brazilian Dance/Pop music concoctions (2) The Piano with...(2a) His Hands (2b) His feet (2c) His bottom (2d) His piano bench [no, really]. Oh, don't forget the drummer...he's allowed to use his drumsticks to bang on things too ---> (1) Drumset (2) Symbols (2a) Symbols on the drumset (2b) Symbols directly on the floor (2c) A symbol on his head (3) The mic stand (4) the floor (5) the piano (5a) the strings INSIDE the piano [really it was a sight to see].

Overall I was blown away by the amount of energy that the band had. The audience was also very much into it, which always helps. Also I'm very happy because it makes three nights with as many fantastic shows. Jenny Lewis (Thursday-sold out), Ted Leo (Friday-sold out) and Jamie Cullum (Sat.-sold out) made this easily the best concert week I've ever had. Oh, also Motion City Soundtrack (sold out) this past Sunday helped! And now it's up to the Arctic Monkeys (sold out) on Monday not to disappoint me...they've got several tough acts to follow. 5 concerts in 8 days...and to think I'm still standing...