You might call it the Brian McFadden syndrome. Sooner or later, almost every pop pin-up becomes bored with their wholesome image and decides to show off a harder edge to their character. The latest victim is Janie Cullum, the Hobbit-faced jazz singer loved by Michael Parkinson, Melvyn Bragg and mums and dads everywhere. They'll be a little shocked to hear the lyrics on Catching Tales, which feature Jamie opening up about his sexual conquests, his experience of drugs and his abhorrence of the war in Iraq. The problem is, all this is set to the same anaemic cocktail jazz that made Cullum a by-word for 'naff' in the first place. He deserves credit for trying something new - but his makeover isn't nearly as convincing as he thinks it is.
