Retrospective - The Corrs


Round about mid '97, not long after I left primary school and had the summer to anticipate what high school would bring, there was a music video that captured my attention: it comprised a mix of Irish traditional and pop; vocals were all in harmony; the singers were a trio of Irish sisters in their twenties (accompanied by their brother in the background); and I was in love!

The family group of Jim, Sharon, Caroline and Andrea Corr became household names off the back of their second album Talk On Corners, a collection of radio-friendly pop numbers with an Irish folk influence. Their cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams' would be remixed by DJ Todd Terry - notable for his treatment of Everything But The Girl's 'Missing' - and they were off to the races.

Prior to that, their first LP Forgiven Not Forgotten showed both depth and skill musically. With a number of traditional instrumentals with the violin taking the melodies, a sure-fire hit was their first single 'Runaway'. The track missed the top 40 on initial release but would be re-issued before the millennium was out peaking at No.2 in the singles charts.

This body of work paved the way for their follow-up album which became a hit internationally. Boasting the hits 'So Young' and 'What Can I Do', each making the airwaves in remix form, lead singer Andrea also came under the public eye via a rumoured flirtation with Robbie Williams - at that time, a top of his game as a British solo superstar.

Before becoming adopting a more commercial sound and each experimenting with solo careers, The Corrs' third record captured their MTV Unplugged concert - demonstrating they were more than just pretty faces but talented musicians as well. Cover versions of Mary Black's 'No Frontiers' and REM's 'Everybody Hurts' were both admirable and brave in their efforts.

With an amazing near-three decade run performing as a group in total, today The Corrs boast a back catalogue worthy of anyone's iPod. They can still go live! Their concerts are suitable for all ages, as is their style. 

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