Jacob Collier shows he’s a freak on a mission
At 24 Jacob Collier is supremely gifted, some might think freakishly so, both as a multi-instrumentalist and as a vocalist — and he’s coming to Sydney.
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The young Londoner’s multi-layered video versions of old Stevie Wonder hits went viral on social media and his live performances have earned the praise of such luminaries as Quincy Jones — who has worked with the likes of Ray Charles and Michael Jackson — who said of Collier: “I have never seen a talent like this. Absolutely mind-blowing.”
At 24 Collier seemingly has the world at his feet and he is determined to seize the day, so much in fact that he has embarked on the almost suicidal mission of writing and recording four albums of songs — each in a different genre — within the space of one year.
The project, on the Decca label under the brand name Djesse, is well under way with the first volume already on the shelves and attracting some admiring criticism. This album is classically based with an orchestra and choir among the participants — including Collier’s mother Susan, a violinist, music teacher and conductor at London’s Royal Academy of Music.
He has a multitude of ideas in his magpie musical head so much so that at times he is in danger of leaving the listener behind
Now comes the second in the series which leans more towards jazz and progressive rock and has a roster of guest vocalists. Collier switches from piano to guitar to bass — sometimes within the space of one song — throughout the 16 tracks and is a talent so huge that Brian Wilson in his heyday springs to mind.
He has a multitude of ideas in his magpie musical head so much so that at times he is in danger of leaving the listener behind. A host of other young indie talents add their considerable contributions to this album.
All is mixed into a gobsmacking array of loops, multi-instrumental tracks and Collier’s custom-built harmoniser.
If there is a criticism it is that sometimes it all becomes unfocused and a little overwhelming — listen, for example, to Collier’s take on the standard Somewhere Over the Rainbow, or better still watch it on YouTube. For a more scaled down Collier experience his Tiny Desk performance is well worth a look.
When he was here in April he was a one-man show, but he returns for a one-off gig in Sydney Opera House’s concert hall with a band of four musicians on Saturday, September 7.
Djesse Vol 2 is available for download now.