DVDfever.co.uk – Corrine Bailey Rae: The Sea CD reviewElly Roberts reviews
EMI Records
- Released: February 2010
- Rating: 8/10
- Vote and comment on this album:View Comments
Nu-soul songbird Corrine Bailey Rae, 31, hasnt had a very good time of things since the death of her husband, Jason Rae, a couple of years ago.
Now shes back with a new album, The Sea.
Apparently she went into lockdown trying to cope with her grief. It was a very bleak time. So, inevitably, Rae has used this album, like many do, as a sort of cathartic experience, gushing songs about pathos and loss and all those horrible and confusing emotions associated with sad times.There is a danger however, that things might be too introverted or self-indulgent, and not making it accessible enough. However, there are glimpses of hope here and there.
Rae doesnt exactly break sweat in terms of pace, instead opting for the soulful grooves of say Marvin Gaye, but without the hit mentality driving her writing. There are a couple of surprises, however.She also cites Sly Stones album Fresh (1973) as an inspiration. In terms of home-grown talent, Raes probably closer to a modern day Joan Armatrading than anyone else, and is surely set to have a career as long as hers.
The ambience that steered her multi-award-winning self-titled debut is still there, which created a stir over The Pond.Her voice has always bordered on filigree-fragile, now with added anguish, inevitably. Opener Are You Here, might suggest a hubby experience, but theres no actual referencing, just hints.
Next, Id Do It All Again, turns out to be the jewel in the crown. This fabulous ballad would make even Mr. Gaye blush due to the overwhelming soulfulness of her voice and music.Feels Like The First Time has that single hook that graces all smart 45s, a chunky -funky template with dollops of swirling strings of late 60s soul with a 21st century twist. However, I wouldnt be surprised if The Blackest Lily is chosen (at some point) to be a single. This is the biggest sound shes created and theres a faire bit of brass, heavy bass-lines and edgy guitar licks going on to surprise us all, and so far its a breath of fresh air away from the loungy mood. This is one of the suprises.
Its slipstreamed by a sublime R&B-tinged groove where she goes into a virtually perfect Linda Lewis modus operandi. The bass is heavy. The brass and strings give it a retro texture, but we know its here and now happenings, on what is essential a blossoming love affair. She hits the smooch button with style and conviction as she masterfully steers herself through the swooning ballad Loves On Its Way a stunning mini-opus.
Possibly her best vocal performance surfaces on the lo-fi ballad I Would |Like To Call It Beauty, and just for the record it is a beauty, dedicated to her much missed Jason.The pace quickens once again on beaty Paris Nights / New York Mornings, which has more Lily Allen flourishes than Raes, though the strings define it as hers.
Paper Dolls and Diving For Hearts are the major let-downs and should have been left on the cutting room floor, because theyre over shadowed by the others, basically.Raes deeply melancholic and touching The Sea, is a farewell, to you know who, which is beautifully sung and written. She must have cried buckets after nailing this. And why not, eh?
The verdict: Welcome back!
Weblinks:corinnebaileyrae.net /myspace.com/corrinebaileyrae
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Are You There?
2. Id Do It All Again
3. Feels Like The First Time
4. The Blackest Lilly
5. Closer
6. Loves On Its Way
7. I Would Lie To Call It Beauty
8. Paris Nights / New York Mornings
9. Paper Dolls
10. Diving For Hearts
11. The SeaView the discussion thread.blog comments powered by Disqus= 0) {query += ‘url’ + i + ‘=’ + encodeURIComponent(links[i].href) + ‘&’;}}document.write(”);})();//]]]]>]]>
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.