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Postcard From Eden - James Morrison

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Fraser McAlpine | 17:23 UK time, Tuesday, 3 July 2007

The Eden Project

See those white blobby things there? That's not genetically-engineered frogspawn, y'know. And it's not a legion of daleks having a camping holiday in the Cotswolds either. No, that right there is the Eden Project. It's a kind of theme park for plants, set in the heart of Cornish clay country, and is a genuinely brilliant place to stage a concert.

For starters there's the backdrop of those enormous domes, which are called 'biomes' (I think the name comes from a combination of the word 'dome' with the word 'bisexual', but I may be barking up the wrong tree there). Then there's the fact that the only way to get down to where the stage is is to walk down a windy path which zig-zags down a very steep hill like a drunken snowboarder.

So, seeing as it's such a startlingly odd place to host pop concerts, and because this year's Eden Sessions will boast performances from ChartBlog faves like Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen, it's time to break out my best gig-reviewing pencil.

Last night was the first one, and saw James Morrison made a triumphant homecoming to his (kind of) native Cornwall. Pencil in hand, I went along to Eden to discover amazing facts to share with you all...

James at Eden

Amazing Fact 1:
The appeal of Eden is that it is actually like a massive garden (like the actual Garden Of Eden, but without the snakes), albeit one with the big Glastonbury-sized stage in the middle of it. Which makes going to see a concert there a bit like popping out of your own back door, and finding James Morrison doing a quick busk by the bins.

Amazing Fact 2:
James Morrison only gets nervous before a concert if he has a sore throat. This is because he can't tell if he's going to end up squeaking rather than emoting in a husky fashion. A nice cup of tea usually does the trick.

Amazing Fact 3:
There are two ladies at Eden whose job it is to welcome the press. They are BOTH called Jess. This is an example of recycling in action, and is therefore a VERY GOOD THING.

Amazing Fact 4:
James Morrison had to have a nap before his concert because he was pooped after the Diana concert the day before.

Amazing Fact 5:
Some gig venues have a creaking balcony, some gig venues have a sticky carpet. The Eden Project has a massive bee.

Amazing Fact 6 - THE BIG ONE:
Despite having a very nice voice indeed and some very nice songs indeed, James Morrison should not be allowed to speak in-between songs. At one point he launched into a long ramble about having been taken around the biomes, and he said this: "We had a look around inside there, and they've got this enormous seed. This next song is called 'The Seed', but it's not about THAT seed. I think they should paint that seed orange...well, that's just what I think, anyway...[to band] OK, let's do it..."

Seriously, Joss Stone talks more sense than that...

Oh, and there was a brilliant bit right at the end where he was talking about how his last song was the fastest, most rocky song he's got, and how everyone should shake their ass, strut their stuff and really GO WILD...and then he launched into a song which was exactly the same mid-tempo as the one before. Amazing!

That's it. Stay tuned for more amazing Eden facts in the next installment - a postcard from Rufus Wainwright...

Full concert details - plus actual close-up pics - at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Cornwall website...

More ChartBlog reports from Eden:
Lily Allen...
Amy Winehouse...
Rufus Wainwright...

Comments

  1. At 11:30 AM on 05 Jul 2007, Kerri wrote:

    postcard from eden........hows about a postcard from australia??!

    HELLO! i hope your doing good and are saving all the good reviews for when i get back home :P

    anyway, ive got to go, just thought id say hi :D

  2. At 11:37 AM on 05 Jul 2007, Kerri wrote:

    postcard from eden........hows about a postcard from australia??!

    HELLO! i hope your doing good and are saving all the best reviews for when i get back home :P

    anyway, ive got to go, just thought id say hi :D

  3. At 11:44 AM on 05 Jul 2007, Kerri wrote:

    doh! i used 'good' too much there, thats why i sent the second one with 'great' instead...didnt you get that i wanted the second one not the first posted?? ohwell....

  4. At 11:49 AM on 05 Jul 2007, Kerri wrote:

    oh it was 'best' not 'great' grrr, ok, ill shut up now.... :(

    [I thought you had to run off? ;-) - Fraser]

  5. At 10:16 PM on 05 Jul 2007, Kat wrote:

    Oooh awesome :) I was looking for a post to check if it was you back or not! How was the flight?! Hope you're having the fun! x

  6. At 06:47 AM on 06 Jul 2007, Kerri wrote:

    i thought i did but my friend was longer than i thought.

    the flight was ok, it was a tad cramped, and very, VERY long. im having loads of fun though, i stroked a kangeroo! :D

  7. At 11:52 AM on 30 Jul 2007, Ray wrote:

    Hi all
    After spending some time in the Eden project snd residing in Derby I thought it interesting what I was reading here.I came accross it accidently.I play mouthorgan blues harp,sax guitar etc for many years and now play in Ryans bar in Derby where James Morrison was discovered. I am am having great fun. Fantastic atmosphere,lots of other musicians.I have never met James but am playing with his x manager and the guy who wrote is latest song as well another up an coming musician called Ryan would you beleive.

    Best wishes

    Ray from Derby

  8. At 03:50 PM on 08 Aug 2007, SeedOfDestruction wrote:

    If James truly wants a 'Wonderful World' he should pay more attention to the hinterland of his gig venues.

    See 'The Eden Project Arms Trade Trustees' at:

    [sniiip! - Fraser]

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