Gather recently gave me the opportunity to review a musical cd. I've been quite busy these days and haven't been publishing much but since music is such and influence in my life I just couldn't pass up this chance to influence other people's opinions about it as well. About a week and a half ago I got the cd in the mail along with a Gather computer screen cleaner which I found to be a very nifty toy. Seriously, I don't know how I managed with out it. But I digress. Needless to say, excited as I was, I stuck the cd in my car cd player as soon as I got and proceeded to rhythmically analyze it. I also did a bit of research into the background of the singer in order to understand her a bit better. Here is what I found.Corinne Bailey Rae's musical journey began in a church choir. In fact, her youth leader was the one who bought her, her first electric guitar. At the age of 15 she started an Indie rock band called Helen which gained a large local following and even landed her a record deal. Unfortunately one of her band members got pregnant and the band had to be dissolved at the last minute. This left Rae devastated but also gave her the opportunity to go to college where she majored in English literature. While at university, she spent her evenings working at a local jazz club and occasionally singing as well. She began to write more of her own songs paving the way to her future.
And future she did create. She has come a long way from singing in a choir. It appears this UK based singer has created quite a storm with her singles "Like a Star" and "Put Your Records On". They're making a real impression with sold out concert dates and rave reviews in almost every musical magazine I could find online.
But honestly, I'm not quite sure what all the hype is about. Listening to her cd, I found it to be light and breezy. Or even soft and mellow. However, the lyrics were basically average and genres seemed to float between soul, blues, R&B, and pop. I must admit that it is better than what passes for R&B these days but not quite on par with Marvin Gaye who is supposed to have influenced her sound.
She also claims Led Zeppelin as an influence but if anything I find her sounds to have more of a pop feel than anything else. Light is the word that comes to mind over and over again. It's quite perfect for summer time listening but will fade away and end up at the bottom of your cd stack by fall.
I've also heard her voice compared to leading ladies Norah Jones and Macy Gray and I'm going to have to disagree on this front as well. While she has a pleasant enough sound, she still falls short of the bold tones that Jones and Gray manage so effortlessly.
In short, she has potential but will disappear from the spotlight faster than she appeared if she doesn't find her own sound soon. On this cd she has shown that she has the ability to float through a wide range of musical genres. A jack of all trades but a master of none, if you will. Her sounds influenced by everyone but none truly original. A few unique tones do float through though so it's clear she has it in her.
I would think her best bet is soul. Maybe her next album will be more true to her own sound since she won't have to work so hard to make herself known. If anything, this album will open the door to what can prove to be a very promising future for Rae.
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Comments: 48
I would download a couple of her songs from itunes but wait for the next cd before making a real decision about her.
Enoch,
Yeah, she's beautiful!
Crazy,
Yes they do. :)
Aaaaaack! I hate that adage so completely. As someone with many interests who gets bored if I stay on one thing for too long, I'd much prefer "jack of all trades, master of diversity," or maybe just "renaissance person." I think people like me who are focus-challenged should start trying to redefine ourselves with a new saying.
But, my dislike of that saying aside, thanks for an interesting review. I have only heard one of her songs, "Put Your Records On," which was a free download from iTunes one week. I like the song, but not so much that I've gone out of my way to hear more of her music. I'm intrigued by the variation of styles you mentioned. I really do get bored by just one thing. On the other hand, "light" is a word often used for music I'd just as soon avoid. So, I guess now I just want to hear more of her and see if I agree with you.
As to the young lady: we can all be singers, but not all of us can be captured successfully on a recording. There's no 'forgiveness' on a recording and the experience is totally different. Rae might be a dynamic and expressive performer that does not translate successfully to a recording.
Or, she may be the vicitim of someone (manager, label agent) using her to create what they thought would sell instead of giving us a true sense of her artistry. You're right to be open to hearing her next CD, if there is one.
Enoch's comment made me cringe -- I hope that's a joke.
Magi
(I'm having fun with my little screen cleaner, too. Wish they'd send me a broom and get me out of this chair)
I saw this young lady singing on tv--she's very good--definitely a natural talent with an appealing manner and she should go far in her musical career.
Yes I noticed! I didn't want to read it before I did mine because I didn't want it to influence my opinion but I'll definitely have to check it out now! And yes, it is unquestionably fun! :)
Mandi and Crazy,
I'm not sure how Gather decides who to call on. The Gather Gods will have to answer that one for you. I just got an email asking if I would be interested in reviewing and then they sent me the cd.
Your comment made me cringe because you said "Another reason why Rae'll have a successful future in music is because, judging from the pics you posted, she's incredibly photogenic."
I cringed because being photogenic shouldn't (I repeat: shouldn't) have any bearing on someone's success as a musician. (sigh) I'd like to believe that Ms Rae intends to be successful as a musician on the strength of her musical talent.
I suppose I should also accept that being beautiful/attractive can't hurt when it comes to marketing.
Happy unbirthday and best regards,
http://joelsamuel.neptune.com
Record producers need their female artists to, for the most part, have a good shape and a nice face. Agents need that, as well. Medusa is less marketable than Sheryl Crow, not vice versa. You're right, that's not the way it's supposed to be, and in some cases it's not, but it's the latter that's the exception and not the former.
I appreciated your review, especially delving into this singer/songwriter's background.
Good review, thanks.
Check out her website, www.corinnebaileyrae.net and go to the shop tab to buy her songs. Also itunes has her tunes and you can buy her cd at Best Buy for 7.99.
Sounds cool! Do you want to start the group or should I?
Maybe two separate? Maybe we could do like a challenge every week. Like a book club and have several people listern to the same cd and review it? Or maybe choose a different person each week and they can pick the cd they want to review so we know that we'll have a new review each week. Does that make sense?
And then the IPOD list group can just be a group of lists where you can learn about new music?
Let me know what you think. :)
Corinne has such a perfect voice, fun, hopeful, and melancholic. I feel very bad for her, a widow at 28 :(