Home (The Corrs album)

Home is The Corrs' fifth studio album. An Irish-themed album, it includes covers of old Irish songs and traditionals, but also covers of non-Irish songs, like 'Heart Like A Wheel'. It includes 2 tracks in Irish ("Buachaill Ón Éirne" & "Bríd Óg Ní Mháille") and 3 instrumentals ("Old Hag (You Killed Me)", "Haste To The Wedding", "Return To Fingall"). "Home" is compiled through a songbook of the late Jean Corr (their mother). The album was released exactly 10 years after the release of their very first album "Forgiven, Not Forgotten" and brings the Corrs back to their roots.

From The Corrs' Official Site:

One year after their last studio album, The Corrs are returning full circle with their latest album Home, to be released by Atlantic Records on September 26 (in the US by Rhino Records the following February).

As the title suggests, The Corrs are back to fond beginnings, defining a journey that began 15 years ago. It is a record that is held close to the band's hearts, compiled through a songbook of the late Jean Corr, and brought to life by the band's urge to bring new interpretations to traditional Irish songs.

It was Caroline Corr who first suggested a return to traditional form, since "everywhere we go in the world we are asked to do more Irish music." Featuring the BBC Radio 2 Concert Orchestra and working with orchestral arranger Fiachra Trench and producer Mitchell Froom, who has worked with The Corrs on three previous albums, the band set out to create an eclectic mixture of songs and instrumental airs.

Recorded over six months, the making of the album became a journey in uniting both old and new. Traditional Irish songs were carefully chosen, and set to new arrangements, whilst remaining true and faithful to the core emotion of the originals. The mixture of traditional and contemporary, is one that is truly celebrated throughout Home. Whereas the predominantly Irish songs are interpreted in a contemporary way, other songs such as ‘Heart Like A Wheel’, originally written by Anna McGarrigle, remain strongly Irish in sound and spirit. This spirit shines through in tracks such as ‘Buachaill Ón Éirne’ which is one of two tracks sung in Gaelic; a true testament to the integrity of this album, and its desire to bring together Ireland’s past, present and future.

Home shows once again the Corrs are able to turn their hand to anything musical and successfully arrange just about any type of song. Many of the songs have recorded with a relatively fresh contemporary vibe, yet still remain folky. Most of the songs that have been chosen are new traditional songs or new covers, but songs such as 'Old Town' and 'Haste to the Wedding' have been performed before. 'Old Town' was previously available on MTV Unplugged, yet the new version is more upbeat and is more radio-friendly.


Success

Although The Corrs returned to their Irish roots, the success of this album and its singles has been poor.

'Old Town' performed poorly in the UK singles charts, just missing out on the top 40 [position in the U.K was 43] the decision to cover and release this song was being questioned. Some fans feel that 'Haste to the Wedding' is good, but prefer the live version available on the In Blue Special Edition.

While commercial success was small, many fans of the Corrs' folk sound feel that this is their best album since "Forgiven, Not Forgotten." The return to their roots separates the Corrs from other bands who turn away from their original sound, and the album serves as a real treat for fans that were originally drawn to the Corrs some 15 years ago; specifically because they offered a folk rock sound infused with the distinct sounds of Ireland.

With far below expected album and single sales, the album did however manage to sell over 1 million records worldwide.


Track listing

1. "My Lagan Love"
2. "Spancill Hill"
3. "Peggy Gordon"
4. "Black Is The Colour"
5. "Heart Like A Wheel"
6. "Buachaill Ón Éirne" ("Boy From Erne" - in Irish)
7. "Old Hag (You Killed Me)"
8. "Moorlough Shore"
9. "Old Town"
10. "Dimming Of The Day"
11. "Bríd Óg Ní Mháille" ("Bridget O'Malley" - in Irish)
12. "Haste To The Wedding"
* bonus track available on Japanese and limited German release
13. "Return To Fingall"

Source