By Mike Farragher
REMEMBER when Janet Jackson danced out from under her famous family’s shadow and released her first solo CD two decades ago? The press made much out of the fact that she was on her own, in control, and exploring the steamy sides of her personality that were in sharp contrast to her clean little sister image.
Andrea Corr doesn’t need such an introduction for her first solo CD, Ten Feet High. Though she was the youngest member of the Corrs, the Dundalk, Co. Louth native never milked the kid sister angle.
Her subtle sexuality was a key ingredient to the Corrs’ look, sound, and feel. If the pouty lips and sultry eye makeup weren’t enough, she had that humid vocal that left you, in the words of their biggest hit, “Breathless.”
In fact, the sometimes pedestrian traditional garnishes and sterile production on some of the Corrs albums sometimes hindered the sensual possibilities of Corr. On Ten Feet High, that steamed allure comes roaring out of the speakers with “Hello Boys,” the first track.
“Hello boys I know you’re watching me/and I think that I like it/I’m so tired I can barely see/come see where my light is/now I don’t want conversation/it gets in the way/just use your intuition, I came here to play,” she coos over an electronic strutting melody that is desperately searching for a stripper’s pole.
Corr enlists Bono and his pal Gavin Friday of the Virgin Prunes to supervise the construction of the restless electronica that pulses behind her. The trio clearly found their inner Depeche Mode in the process.
The sound strikes the pitch perfect balance of the cool detachment and thawing that is held in the promise of well-made electronic soundscapes. Their ear for sound is impeccable, creating perfect moods for Corr’s melodies.
“Sipping Champagne from a Straw” has a hollow, cheesy Latin samba vibe that works perfectly as Corr tells the story of a spoiled, hollow, and cheesy rich girl and her tummy tuck. “I Do” is a delicate, beautiful melody constructed from a toy piano that is the perfect back drop for Corr’s dreamy lullaby prose.
There’s not a traditional instrument in her bag of tricks, which may disappoint some fans of her band. For those willing to listen with an open ear, however, Ten Feet High is full of satisfying sounds that are sure to tickle your fancy.
The last Corrs studio CD of original songs, Borrowed Heaven, tackled more secure subject perseverance in the face of loss (inspired by the death of the family’s matriarch). Ten Feet High continues down that sophisticated path.
“Ideal World” is a string of vignettes that narrates the stories of people living unfulfilled lives. “Johnny signs in his share of autographs of the all the people he’s made laugh/and he walks home to an empty flat/late night TV, Vicodin/ he can’t forget what he had before/in an ideal world, she’d think I’m still funny/she’d be waiting in bed for me,” she sings over a deceptively sweet acoustic guitar strum.
Though Ten Feet High is a showcase for Corr’s strong songwriting ability, the highlight of the disc is “Take Me, I’m Yours,” the Squeeze chestnut. The sinister guitar riffs of the melody are buried in fuzz as Corr phones in a jaded, processed vocal.
“Amusing belly dancers distract me from my wine/across Tibetan mountains/the memories are mine,” she sings in the lowest register she can muster. It’s pure pop perfection.
In recent years, her band has been put on hold as her sisters and brother settle into domesticity with new families. This leaves Andrea to her own devices, prowling the discotheque by herself, with one ear soaking in the modern club beats while one eye scans the beautiful bodies for inspiration.
She should leave the siblings home more often, as this first solo CD is a triumph. It’s gratifying to find a pop priestess that can steam the windows of the nightclub with the best of them, but unlike other starlets, she hops into the limo at the end of the night with head up. Ten Feet High in the knowledge that her artistry, dignity and undergarments are intact.
ARTICLE SOURCE: http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irish-voice/entertainment/Articles/Solo-Andrea-Needs051207.aspx
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Andrea Corr, Falling Star?
With her musical siblings off tending to their young families, Andrea Corr decided to release her own solo album... but is anyone listening? Deidre Reynolds reports
Sultry star Andrea Corr is famous for making funeral fashion foxy. Since first hitting the spotlight, the gorgeous goth has honed her image around raven hair, ivory skin and slinky black numbers. These days, though, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Andrea's pitch-black garbs are more than just a fashion statement as she mourns the passing of her pop prime.
As lead singer of the Dundalk sibling troupe, Andrea was one of Irish music's biggest success stories. With vampish beauty and a willowy voice, the stunning sister automatically became the poster girl for the niche brand of harmless Celtic pop and helped to flog a staggering 60 million albums across the globe. But the word is that the baby of the band's solo career is in crisis.
Sisters Sharon and Caroline and brother Jim swapped touring for teething two years ago, putting the band on the backburner to spend time with their tots. And the footloose frontwoman used the hiatus for her very own labour of love -- solo album Ten Feet High.
"In 2005, the rest of my family seemed to be pregnant or having babies or already had babies and this looked contagious," 33 year-old Andrea explained. "So I think I needed to go away. Our manager came to me and said: 'Look, maybe this is the time for you to make a solo record. I'm thinking you either go with it now or you don't go with it at all.' I'd songs already written, so I just decided: 'Yeah, well, okay, maybe I should do that.' I was quite excited at the prospect of doing it."
But now it seems that Aunty Andrea should have stuck to babysitting her five nieces and nephews until the musical clan could regroup.
The collection of pop and trad tracks was released this summer after a three-year gestation period. But it eluded the respectable Top 30 chart. Debut single, anti-war tune Shame on You limped into the 108 spot. And instead of sparkling, latest release Champagne Through a Straw simply fizzled out after failing to register in the UK top 100.
He may be able to save the world, but it appears that not even pop prophet Bono, who executive-produced the record, can rescue the star's ill-fated solo bid. It's a long way from Dundalk to the top, but it looks equally steep on the way back down.
Encouraged by their musician parents Jean and Gerry, the latter-day Von Trapps all learned to play the piano at a young age. Andrea elbowed in on the act the moment she graduated from Don Lughaidh Convent School.
The trio-turned-quartet got their shot at fame in 1991 when they auditioned for a role in Alan Parker's film of Roddy Doyle's The Commitments. While the rest of the gang secured blink-and-you'll-miss-it turns in the hit film, eye-catching Andrea landed a speaking part. And it wouldn't be the last time the tiny siren was projected onto the big screen: she later got a gig playing Juan Peron's mistress alongside Madonna in Evita and the singing voice of Kayley in animated flick Quest for Camelot.
However, it was her humble role in The Commitments that proved most fateful. At the audition, the singing siblings were spotted and snapped up by manager John Hughes.
After three years of touring, fate intervened again. In 1994, the American Ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith heard Andrea and her family singing and invited the brood to play at a high-profile event in Boston.
Once Stateside, the band didn't miss a beat. Flanked by her siblings, 5ft 1in Andrea marched into the office of Atlantic Records producer, David Foster and whipped out the tin whistle and violin. The ballsy impromptu session worked; the porcelain-skinned pop princess packed the SPF and headed to California, where The Corrs' debut Forgiven not Forgotten hit shelves within a year.
Despite breaking the States, the grass of home was greener for the group. In 1998 catchy singles Runaway and Someday made the album Talk On Corners a No 1 hit in 13 countries throughout Europe, including the UK. And third outing In Blue also sold well, going gold or platinum in 21 countries.
But after a decade and a half of hard work, the release of the album Home heralded a break for The Corrs. Sharon is expecting her second child with hubby Gavin Bonnar; Jim has a little boy; and Caroline and spouse Frank Wood have their hands full with three tots.
"My brothers and sisters have been very supportive, but they needed to take the time themselves to do what they needed to do," Andrea said. "Obviously I wasn't on the same path as them in my life at the time. But they tell me they like the record and they look like they're telling the truth."
Blood is thicker than water though; Andrea's vocal transition from dulcet tones to cat-in-heat rasp seems to have startled the CD-buying public. But at least she has the shoulder of boyfriend Brett Desmond, son of billionaire businessman Dermot Desmond, to cry on.
As sales of her solo effort continue to nosedive, Andrea, who has also dated music manager Giles Baxendale, Fun Lovin' Criminal Huey Morgan and been pursued by Robbie Williams, conceded that she would like to front the family outfit again in the future.
"It's definitely not all over for The Corrs," she revealed. "I really, really love our records and I'm so proud of them and whatever we make in the future."
And she's remaining philosophical about the disappointing sales of Ten Feet High. "This isn't about showing the world the real me. This is just an album where I've had fun and an adventure."
Article taken from http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/falling-star-1076848.html
Sultry star Andrea Corr is famous for making funeral fashion foxy. Since first hitting the spotlight, the gorgeous goth has honed her image around raven hair, ivory skin and slinky black numbers. These days, though, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Andrea's pitch-black garbs are more than just a fashion statement as she mourns the passing of her pop prime.
As lead singer of the Dundalk sibling troupe, Andrea was one of Irish music's biggest success stories. With vampish beauty and a willowy voice, the stunning sister automatically became the poster girl for the niche brand of harmless Celtic pop and helped to flog a staggering 60 million albums across the globe. But the word is that the baby of the band's solo career is in crisis.
Sisters Sharon and Caroline and brother Jim swapped touring for teething two years ago, putting the band on the backburner to spend time with their tots. And the footloose frontwoman used the hiatus for her very own labour of love -- solo album Ten Feet High.
"In 2005, the rest of my family seemed to be pregnant or having babies or already had babies and this looked contagious," 33 year-old Andrea explained. "So I think I needed to go away. Our manager came to me and said: 'Look, maybe this is the time for you to make a solo record. I'm thinking you either go with it now or you don't go with it at all.' I'd songs already written, so I just decided: 'Yeah, well, okay, maybe I should do that.' I was quite excited at the prospect of doing it."
But now it seems that Aunty Andrea should have stuck to babysitting her five nieces and nephews until the musical clan could regroup.
The collection of pop and trad tracks was released this summer after a three-year gestation period. But it eluded the respectable Top 30 chart. Debut single, anti-war tune Shame on You limped into the 108 spot. And instead of sparkling, latest release Champagne Through a Straw simply fizzled out after failing to register in the UK top 100.
He may be able to save the world, but it appears that not even pop prophet Bono, who executive-produced the record, can rescue the star's ill-fated solo bid. It's a long way from Dundalk to the top, but it looks equally steep on the way back down.
Encouraged by their musician parents Jean and Gerry, the latter-day Von Trapps all learned to play the piano at a young age. Andrea elbowed in on the act the moment she graduated from Don Lughaidh Convent School.
The trio-turned-quartet got their shot at fame in 1991 when they auditioned for a role in Alan Parker's film of Roddy Doyle's The Commitments. While the rest of the gang secured blink-and-you'll-miss-it turns in the hit film, eye-catching Andrea landed a speaking part. And it wouldn't be the last time the tiny siren was projected onto the big screen: she later got a gig playing Juan Peron's mistress alongside Madonna in Evita and the singing voice of Kayley in animated flick Quest for Camelot.
However, it was her humble role in The Commitments that proved most fateful. At the audition, the singing siblings were spotted and snapped up by manager John Hughes.
After three years of touring, fate intervened again. In 1994, the American Ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith heard Andrea and her family singing and invited the brood to play at a high-profile event in Boston.
Once Stateside, the band didn't miss a beat. Flanked by her siblings, 5ft 1in Andrea marched into the office of Atlantic Records producer, David Foster and whipped out the tin whistle and violin. The ballsy impromptu session worked; the porcelain-skinned pop princess packed the SPF and headed to California, where The Corrs' debut Forgiven not Forgotten hit shelves within a year.
Despite breaking the States, the grass of home was greener for the group. In 1998 catchy singles Runaway and Someday made the album Talk On Corners a No 1 hit in 13 countries throughout Europe, including the UK. And third outing In Blue also sold well, going gold or platinum in 21 countries.
But after a decade and a half of hard work, the release of the album Home heralded a break for The Corrs. Sharon is expecting her second child with hubby Gavin Bonnar; Jim has a little boy; and Caroline and spouse Frank Wood have their hands full with three tots.
"My brothers and sisters have been very supportive, but they needed to take the time themselves to do what they needed to do," Andrea said. "Obviously I wasn't on the same path as them in my life at the time. But they tell me they like the record and they look like they're telling the truth."
Blood is thicker than water though; Andrea's vocal transition from dulcet tones to cat-in-heat rasp seems to have startled the CD-buying public. But at least she has the shoulder of boyfriend Brett Desmond, son of billionaire businessman Dermot Desmond, to cry on.
As sales of her solo effort continue to nosedive, Andrea, who has also dated music manager Giles Baxendale, Fun Lovin' Criminal Huey Morgan and been pursued by Robbie Williams, conceded that she would like to front the family outfit again in the future.
"It's definitely not all over for The Corrs," she revealed. "I really, really love our records and I'm so proud of them and whatever we make in the future."
And she's remaining philosophical about the disappointing sales of Ten Feet High. "This isn't about showing the world the real me. This is just an album where I've had fun and an adventure."
Article taken from http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/falling-star-1076848.html
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Andrea Corr Hates Fame
Irish singer ANDREA CORR hates her fame and has slammed the cult of celebrity in a new track. The star has just released solo single Champagne From A Straw, a critique on today's instant celebrity lifestyle. And Corr insists she much prefers staying out of the limelight and "being normal". She says, "I don't hang around with celebrities. The song is just about someone who is famous just for being famous. "I don't mean to be judgemental, it's just an observation. I like having a normal life and don't like being paparazzi'd. I don't court it or put myself in those situations, it's just not me."
News taken from: Andrea Corr Hates Fame
News taken from: Andrea Corr Hates Fame
Friday, August 24, 2007
Andrea Corr Releases Second Single "Champagne From A Straw"
Andrea Corr - Champagne From A Straw
Andrea Corr 2007 Atlantic Records artist, Andrea Corr releases her second single, 'Champagne From A Straw' on August 27th. It is taken from her Nellee Hooper produced debut solo album, 'Ten Feet High' which also sees Bono at the helm as executive producer with Gavin Friday.
This new single follows the instantly catchy and deceptively pretty 'Shame On You (To Keep My Love From Me)'.
When mutual friend Bono introduced Andrea to Nellee Hooper, who she had particularly admired for his work with Bjork and Massive Attack, a solid union was formed. As Andrea says, " With this album, I've written the story and Nellee has painted the picture." Indeed, Ten Feet High is a kaleidoscope of colours and style with Andrea weaving her multiple characters through each song.
With the forthcoming, 'Champagne From A Straw', Andrea has written a wry dissertation on the vagaries of a celebrity lifestyle - "I've got my all-over tan and my tummy-tuck/Big house in the country, with expensive bags for my scary little dogs..." It is already enjoying support from Radio 2 and has been B-listed at the station.
When Dundalk-born Andrea was just 15 years old, she joined forces with her sisters Sharon and Caroline and her brother Jim to form The Corrs. Over the next decade and a half, the siblings would grow to become one of the biggest acts in the world. In 1998, their album Talk On Corners became the UK's best selling album, the first Irish act ever to achieve this feat. Each of their albums has sold an average of 5 million copies, a strike rate few else have accomplished.
Twelve years and thirty million albums later, The Corrs decided it was time for their much-mooted hiatus following the release of 2005's 'Home'. Each one of them went home to Ireland, but whilst Sharon, Caroline and Jim began to raise their families, Andrea undertook a new life of her own as a solo artist.
"With this record, it isn't necessarily about showing the world the real me," she says. "It's nothing that contrived. No, this is just an album where I've had fun and adventure; I'm thrilled with the results. Even if nothing happens with it, I'll go to my grave happy I've done it."
News taken from: Andrea Corr - Champagne From A Straw
Andrea Corr 2007 Atlantic Records artist, Andrea Corr releases her second single, 'Champagne From A Straw' on August 27th. It is taken from her Nellee Hooper produced debut solo album, 'Ten Feet High' which also sees Bono at the helm as executive producer with Gavin Friday.
This new single follows the instantly catchy and deceptively pretty 'Shame On You (To Keep My Love From Me)'.
When mutual friend Bono introduced Andrea to Nellee Hooper, who she had particularly admired for his work with Bjork and Massive Attack, a solid union was formed. As Andrea says, " With this album, I've written the story and Nellee has painted the picture." Indeed, Ten Feet High is a kaleidoscope of colours and style with Andrea weaving her multiple characters through each song.
With the forthcoming, 'Champagne From A Straw', Andrea has written a wry dissertation on the vagaries of a celebrity lifestyle - "I've got my all-over tan and my tummy-tuck/Big house in the country, with expensive bags for my scary little dogs..." It is already enjoying support from Radio 2 and has been B-listed at the station.
When Dundalk-born Andrea was just 15 years old, she joined forces with her sisters Sharon and Caroline and her brother Jim to form The Corrs. Over the next decade and a half, the siblings would grow to become one of the biggest acts in the world. In 1998, their album Talk On Corners became the UK's best selling album, the first Irish act ever to achieve this feat. Each of their albums has sold an average of 5 million copies, a strike rate few else have accomplished.
Twelve years and thirty million albums later, The Corrs decided it was time for their much-mooted hiatus following the release of 2005's 'Home'. Each one of them went home to Ireland, but whilst Sharon, Caroline and Jim began to raise their families, Andrea undertook a new life of her own as a solo artist.
"With this record, it isn't necessarily about showing the world the real me," she says. "It's nothing that contrived. No, this is just an album where I've had fun and adventure; I'm thrilled with the results. Even if nothing happens with it, I'll go to my grave happy I've done it."
News taken from: Andrea Corr - Champagne From A Straw
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Andrea Corr's ten feet high with new romance but no nuptials planned
SINGER Andrea Corr has revealed she is head over heels in love with her new boyfriend, Brett Desmond.
The newly solo star, from Dundalk, has been going out with Brett, the son of billionaire businessman Dermot Desmond, for the past eight months.
Now happy to be seen out and about together, it seems things are really heating up between the pair. However, the gorgeous singer says the couple have no plans to tie the knot.
"The rest of my family are all settled but I'm not there yet," said the 33-year-old.
"I have a boyfriend but obviously I am not married and haven't got babies yet. I'm definitely not in any rush."
But while Andrea and Brett are happy to wait a bit longer before walking down the isle, the Corr's father Gerry hopes it will happen sooner rather than later.
"My daddy jokes with me like, 'Come on, Andrea. When are you going to do this?' and everything like that.
Wedding bells aside, the Ten Feet High singer also admitted that since becoming an auntie, she is certain she wants to have children in the future. Her sister Sharon has one child and one on the way, her other sister Caroline has three children and brother Jim has one.
"Of course I want a family at some stage. The girls and Jim and their children intensify that (broody) feeling as I love them so much my heart hurts."
Ambitious Andrea also shrugged off poor sales of her first solo album, Ten Feet High and said despite perceptions, her career is not the most important thing in her life. "I'd be happy to be remembered as a good friend," she said."
Article taken from: Andrea Corr's Ten Feet High
The newly solo star, from Dundalk, has been going out with Brett, the son of billionaire businessman Dermot Desmond, for the past eight months.
Now happy to be seen out and about together, it seems things are really heating up between the pair. However, the gorgeous singer says the couple have no plans to tie the knot.
"The rest of my family are all settled but I'm not there yet," said the 33-year-old.
"I have a boyfriend but obviously I am not married and haven't got babies yet. I'm definitely not in any rush."
But while Andrea and Brett are happy to wait a bit longer before walking down the isle, the Corr's father Gerry hopes it will happen sooner rather than later.
"My daddy jokes with me like, 'Come on, Andrea. When are you going to do this?' and everything like that.
Wedding bells aside, the Ten Feet High singer also admitted that since becoming an auntie, she is certain she wants to have children in the future. Her sister Sharon has one child and one on the way, her other sister Caroline has three children and brother Jim has one.
"Of course I want a family at some stage. The girls and Jim and their children intensify that (broody) feeling as I love them so much my heart hurts."
Ambitious Andrea also shrugged off poor sales of her first solo album, Ten Feet High and said despite perceptions, her career is not the most important thing in her life. "I'd be happy to be remembered as a good friend," she said."
Article taken from: Andrea Corr's Ten Feet High
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