James Morrison recovers after rough start

For fans of British singer-songwriter James Morrison - who personifies the genre of "blue-eyed soul" with the same finesse as compatriots Adele and Simply Red's Mick Hucknall - his full-bodied soulful voice is obviously the main attraction.

But his first proper concert here on Tuesday night got off to a rough start. He emerged on stage just after 9pm to sing the funky Beautiful Life from his latest album, The Awakening (2011), and came across gruffier and more nasal compared to the flawless delivery flaunted in his studio recordings.

Fortunately, after two more tracks, his vocals began to open up on Say Something Now - like how a pair of audiophile speakers requires time for burn-in. From then on, Morrison - backed by a drummer, guitarist, bassist, two keyboardists and two backup singers - had the audience at the near full-house Esplanade Concert Hall wrapped around his finger.