James Blunt, The Brighton Centre: "one of our greatest contemporary musicians and performers"
But what a fantastic final event it was - James Blunt was on tip top form and Ed Sheeran even joined him on stage to wish him many happy returns (see our review here)
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Hide AdFast forward to last week, and the maestro of the morbid song Mr Blunt was back - and he was better than ever.
Sharing with the audience his thoughts of his 2020 visit, James said: "It was basically the start of what was meant to be a year long tour - it was cut off after a month you know - and it was my birthday. It was an incredible evening and you, if you were there, were amazing.
"Of course I had a special guest that night, I had Mr Ed Sheeran. So I've been thinking really hard, how do I top Ed Sheeran? How do I beat that? So I've called around and no-one's answered, guys. It's just me. That's all it is.
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Hide Ad"This is the very first night of my Greatest Hit tour. You'll notice that's very much in the singular. And I've thought about it and I was considering playing you You're Beautiful twenty-two times and then maybe a Pixies' cover at the end but my manager wouldn't allow it.
"But also you've got to understand we are starting a year on the road, we could have started anyone in the whole world - we could have gone to Rio, we could have gone to Mexico City - but we chose Brighton!"
The audience at Brighton could not have cheered louder at that.
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Hide AdAnd while a second appearance by Ed Sheeran might have been very welcome, a crowd of guys in the front of the South Balcony represented everyone when they shouted out 'we love you James.'
He might be a self-confessed writer of slightly depressing lyrics but he never fails to deliver them with such power and perfection that they are utterly beguiling and uplifting.
His self-deprecating humour also disguises the sheer scale of his versatility and success.
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Hide AdThose in the audience were no doubt pleased he sang You're Beautiful just the once - because the other 22 songs were right up there too. Everything from Bonfire Heart and High to the intensely personal Monsters and my own favourite (and I think he once said his too) Same Mistake.
The number Postcards is not only a piece of bright joy it demonstrates the sheer breadth of his musicality and talent.
As the evening closed, he said he was dedicating the number to a reviewer's wife in the hope of a better review. I cannot claim to be married to the Louise he named - but no such bribe was required in my case.
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Hide AdWow, James Blunt appeals across the ages and the planet. He is simply one of our greatest contemporary musicians and performers - a total genius.
This concert was proof there was no better way to signal that life is returning to normal. James Blunt is simply brilliant.