from=The Times, December 17, 1996
Review By Nigel Williamson
STUPID name, great band. The Corrs are the freshest sound to come out of Ireland since
the Cranberries. A year touring the world supporting Celine Dion has seen them conquer
Europe, America and the Far East. In Australia their album removed the act they were
ostensibly supporting from the top of the charts. But Britain has remained strangely
resistant.
A huge and appreciative crowd in pre-Christmas festive mood at the Forum suggested that is
about to change. The appearance of lead singer Andrea in the Madonna film Evita will help;
a little more airplay would be even more beneficial. Sublime melodies reminiscent of
Stevie Nicks-era Fleetwood Mac but with powerful traditional Irish roots fit uneasily, it
seems, with the Britpop and dance obsessions of Radio 1.
The irrepressible Andrea is joined by brother Jim on guitar and keyboards, and sisters
Sharon on violin and Caroline on drums. The three sisters are stunningly beautiful and the
songs are three-minute slices of pop heaven. Yet when they switch to tin whistle and
bodhran, accompanied by guitar and violin, the Corrs can also conjure up a traditional
Irish pub session.
Apart from the traditional jigs and reels, the only non-original was a moving rendition of
Hendrix's Little Wing, sung by Andrea to acoustic guitar. Their own songs, such as Forgiven Not
Forgotten, The Right Time and Runaway, are
destined to become pop classics.
Their new album, which they will record in Los Angeles, will be co-produced by Glen
Ballard, responsible for the Alanis Morissette album, one of the top five sellers of the
decade. Yet the roots element will remain strong: the one track already in the can
features the Chieftains.
But the sooner the new material is incorporated into the set the better. At just over one
hour, the current show is too short. And that name: family pride is all very well, but do
you really want to be bracketed with the Osmonds and the Jacksons?