Jamie Scott aims for the heart

Rock ‘n Rule 2008 is a good concept. It stars three rock bands in one show. Three for the price of one. That is just great for this penny-pinching, bargain-hunting times. Simple Plan, New Found Glory and Jamie Scott and the Town would be performing one after the other at the Araneta Coliseum on Aug. 4. But despite gushing over its potentials, I began to have some doubts as to how it will turn out. This is because the first thing that entered my mind after I got the news was, who on earth is this Jamie Scott who has a band called Town.

I know Simple Plan. Those guys from Canada were here two or three years ago with Avril Lavigne and they have hit CDs like No Pads, No Helmets... Just Balls and Still Not Getting Any. Their latest, simply titled Simple Plan with the single Your Love is a Lie, also sounds like a winner.

I also like New Found Glory. The group kept punk moving in the late ‘90s when everybody was on a boy band kick. Its albums from the period like Nothing Gold Can Stay, Sticks and Stones and Catalyst are well made efforts that show a high degree of musicality from its members and include good commercial songs. It is good to know they remain active and have a new CD coming out.

So how about Jamie Scott?

Well, from what I found out at google and wikipedia and from watching him on YouTube, it turns out that although he is not yet as well-known as Simple Plan or New Found Glory, Jamie with The Town, does have something special to offer. He is from the United Kingdom, which is a good thing nowadays given the popularity of Coldplay, Amy Winehouse, Duffy and other British acts. He is an actor who appeared in the hit movie Step Up and also has a song titled Made in the soundtrack.

Scott is young, only 26 years old. Like his contemporary and compatriot James Blunt, he is both a singer and songwriter with a flair for the introspective and dramatic. That means he aims for the heart. He lists James Taylor, Carole King, the Flamingoes and Cat Stevens as his influences and can therefore be expected to provide the quiet, emotional moments for the sentis who also rock at the Rock ‘n Rule concert.

Scott has a beautiful set of pipes. He is one of those artists who can take complete command of the stage alone by simply singing a song. Check out his heartfelt rendition of one of his works, the much-viewed When Will I See Your Face Again on YouTube to find out for yourself. Now, I guess Scott clearly knows that his voice is his best asset. So although he is a good songwriter, he made his singing the main focus of his new album. Titled Park Bench Theories by Jamie Scott and The Town, the CD is made up of sweet melodies that show off his vocals to good advantage.

The songs are tender pop ballads, heartbroken and lovelorn most of the time and performed against light piano or guitar-based arrangements. The emo factor is very high and I am sure that cuts like Standing in the Rain, Changes, Love Song to Remember, Weeping Willow, London Town and of course the lovely When Will I See Your Face Again would rate very high with sentimental Pinoys. Watch out for these songs in the show. They are expected to be Scott’s big showstoppers. And good news, I learned that Scott is also very good with covers, which Pinoys also love, and might do one or two at the concert.

For those who want to watch, ticket information to Rock ‘n Rule starring Simple Plan, Jamie Scott and the Town join and New Found Glory is available from Viva Concerts and Events at 687-6181 locals 620 or 745 or from Ticketnet at 911-5555. Tickets are priced at P5,775 (patron); P5,250 (lower box); P2,300 (upper box A); P1,050 (upper box B) and P525 (general admission).

Remember you get three rock bands of the current kind, that means not from the ‘60s or ‘70s for the price of one.