Armed with guitar and piano, heart-wrenching songs and the sweetest voice heard on the airwaves since the classic singer-songwriter era of the Seventies, James Blunt rose from obscurity to become the biggest selling British artist of 2005.

Blunt's background is decidedly un-rock and roll. He hails from a military family and spent four years as an officer in the Household Cavalry. The handsome young Captain was amongst the first British peacekeeping troops to enter Kosovo during the harrowing days of 1999, where he witnessed atrocities that shaped one of his most powerful songs, the show-stopping 'No Bravery'.

Throughout his time in service, James always kept his guitar close. From as far back as he can remember, songs have been his outlet. "Music encapsulates a sense of freedom for me," he says. "It goes beyond language or conversation." The most openly emotional of the new wave of sensitive singer-songwriters, when James left the army to pursue his musical dreams he found himself being championed by such luminaries as Elton John and legendary US songwriter Linda Perry (who signed him to her Custard label).

Released quietly in the UK by Atlantic in October 2004, his debut album, 'Back to Bedlam', rose to prominence by word of mouth, fuelled by amusing and touching live performances. 'You're Beautiful', a song about a lifetime lived in a moment, became the soundtrack of a turbulent year, despite taking several weeks to reach number one. 'Back To Bedlam' went on to become 2005's biggest selling album in the UK.

Everything that makes James such a special talent can be seen and heard on these extraordinary live performances, filmed before an invited audience at the BBC in November 2005, and on tour in Ireland in December 2005. Whether solo or backed by a full band, he loses himself in his songs. It is the same quality of intensity captured in his promo for 'You're Beautiful', included here with his other videos. Between songs, James can be light-hearted and debonair. When he sings, he is naked.

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