Why are the Corrs so special?

[DazedOblivion]

I would like to read your comments on what makes the Corrs so great.

I start with a two-part post by Firefly9, but he goes by Groucho here. I really enjoyed his great summary of why the Corrs are so special. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did:

[DazedOblivion]

THE MULTI-LAYERED ATTRIBUTES OF THE CORRS (Part 1)

VISUAL APPEAL - ATTRACTIVENESS.

This is the "first impression" everyone notices immediately, but one the band themselves don't take seriously. They know that good looks only go so far, and are determined to show us where their true value lies - in the music. The girls are dismissive of their "sex appeal" and find it silly, but Andrea is savvy enough to use it to her advantage in performance. She's mastered the art of being flirty without slipping into vampiness. Sharon has the regal looks and glamour of a runway model: high cheekbones, slender frame, sparkling green eyes and a killer smile- she exudes style and grace, whether wearing jeans and halter top, or a fancy sequined full-length dress. Caroline's friendly big blue eyes and easy smile instantly put you at ease - she has that "oh gosh" appeal that makes you want to just give her a hug. And sometimes overlooked, but just as appealing (ask any female fan), big brother Jim's personality and sense of humour always come through, and behind his Mr. Cool sunglasses on stage, he gives the impression that he's both in complete control, and still marvelling at what he and his baby sisters have unleashed. The Corrs as a band couldn't exist without him.



TALENT - MUSICAL DEPTH

All four members play multiple instruments, and are very serious about being the best at their specialty, whether tin whistle, violin, guitar, piano, or drums. For someone like Caroline to volunteer as the band's drummer relatively late at age 18, and teach herself with "on-the-job" training in public performance, only to quickly be recognized as one of pop music's finest percussionists, proves how hard they work at being excellent musicians. And how many other bands have someone like Jim who can handle both guitar and keyboards during one song? That's a typical Corrs trademark in concert.



UNIQUENESS - ORIGINALITY

The Corrs' small-town upbringing in Dundalk, Ireland has contributed to a special blend of musical styles, merging traditional Irish roots and instruments with electronic pop, acoustic modern folk and electric rock. They also dabble in adult-contemporary ballads and orchestral instrumentals. With such diversity, it's hard to pigeon-hole them in a certain "category," so they simply created one of their own. It's the "Corrs sound." It's melodic and emotional. As Sharon has said, their Irish culture has given the music a "hopeful sadness," ranging from melancholy optimism to pure joy. Anyone who has experienced them in concert knows what the effect of this music has on the human psyche. It's priceless.



CREDIBILITY - COMPOSITION QUALITY[/B][/color]

As good are they are aesthetically, and as adept as they are as instrumentalists, in the music business, it's creativity as composers that truly counts. Being cover artists or interpreters of other peoples' songs will only get you so far. But respect comes from writing your own music - it's what separates players from musicians. And not only are the Corrs top-level performers, they create timeless, highly melodic songs with thoughtful lyrics, drawing from personal experience and many musical influences.

[DazedOblivion]

THE MULTI-LAYERED ATTRIBUTES OF THE CORRS[/b] (Part 2)[/color]

CHARISMA - STAGE PRESENCE

The Corrs are a sight to behold live on stage. Instead of just "going thru the motions," they telegraph their emotions. They work at interacting with the audience, drawing them in to be part of the performance. Andrea has more charm in her tiny 5-foot frame than most artists twice her size. She's a highly animated lead singer; an intensely expressive raven-haired sprite, seemingly hopped-up on Irish coffee. She commands attention with her emotionally-charged delivery, especially on heartfelt songs with personal meaning. Sharon and Jim serve as anchors, keeping everything together while exchanging bemused glances with the audience and each other. And Caroline can often be seen in the back happily pounding away on her drumkit, always smiling broadly when the spotlight falls on her performance. It's easy to see they are enjoying themselves immensely, and when the feeling is shared with the crowd, it grows exponentially. Good vibes are in abundance, and the symbiosis is readily apparent.



APPROACHABILITY - MODEST, DOWN-TO-EARTH PERSONALITY

This can be appreciated either in their media interviews, or in personal encounters. The Corrs, despite achieving wide success and being the objects of affection by millions, have not let it get to their heads. In testament to their parents' influence, the band still express a humble gratitude for what they've accomplished in the fickle music business. They haven't lost sight of their small-town roots, and still place a high value on home life and family. Sometimes they show genuine surprise at the level of adulation they receive, especially in concert. As Jim expressed on camera before playing in front of 40,000 fans at Lansdowne Road in 1999, "What on Earth am I doing HERE?" Andrea always responds with demure shyness when reminded of her role as a "sex symbol," much to the playful teasing of her siblings. Jim will not accept the label as group "leader," preferring to acknowledge the egalitarian contributions of all band members. This generous attitude is reflected in the CD liner notes, with compositions credited to "the Corrs," not individual members.



WORK ETHIC[/B][/color]

The six-year period 1995-2000 included three studio albums; one live album; three concert DVD's; frequent worldwide touring; numerous promo TV and special live appearances; and occasional interaction with internet fan websites! They even continued working through the shock of their mother's premature passing from lung disease. Not until 2001 did they begin an extended (and deserved) break to recharge their batteries and try to resume a "normal" home life with relationships and families. Upon their public return in 2004 with a new CD and more tours, even new mother and pregnant Caroline resumed her duties onstage with the band until it became medically unsafe to fly overseas and travel around. The group forged on with a sub drummer for the North American and second European tour, so it's obvious they felt obliged to meet their commitments whilst one of their members was on maternal leave. This is true dedication, and the fans were the beneficiaries, especially in North America, where Corrs concerts are very rare events indeed!



CONCLUSION

In summation, this band has unique qualities that make them stand out in the overcrowded morass that is the pop/rock scene. We afficionados and connoisseurs, who've been touched by their brand of Irish "magick", feel almost evangelical in our fervor to "spread the word" about these artists. The joy they communicate through their music is tangible and infectious. Attending a Corrs concert induces a massive release of endorphins, resulting in a euphoric feeling that lasts until the next day, when a post-show "crash" leaves the brain starving for another dose, much like drug withdrawal. It's common for attendees to quickly make plans for another concert as soon as possible. This can lead to financial hardship, like gambling addiction. It's the one downside to being a serious Corrs devotee. But most would say it's well worth the risk.

As the French would say, "Vivent les Corrs!"

firefly (aka "Groucho" at this site).

[Andypandy]

I don't know how you could say that any better!-thx Firefly,Groucho! and Dazed for posting.

[DazedOblivion]

Hard to follow Firefly, but here are just some of my thoughts:


THEN...THEN...THEN...

There are so many things that come together to make the Corrs such a special group. MELODY, HARMONY and RHYTHM all play their part in good music, and the Corrs excel in all aspects. Good melodies can be hard to find in pop/rock music and good harmonies even harder. The Corrs have carried on the line of great vocal harmonies in pop music... the Beach Boys; the Everly Brothers; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Simon and Garfunkel; The Eagles (to name a few). The great rhythms come partly from the Irish tradition and partly from American Rock 'n Roll.

THEN the Corrs combine this unbelievable music with great, thoughtful, deeply personal lyrics that touch the heart.

THEN add to all of this the great beauty of the Corrs - one can hardly believe the beauty of these sisters when you see them for the first time! But they don't just LOOK good... they are talented and, from every indication, they are great human beings as well. They have a humility to them that is refreshing, especially in comparison to many of the artists out there these days. There is beauty within their souls. As musicians, they have earned the respect of many legends of music, including Mick Fleetwood; Ron Wood; Mick Jagger; Bono; the Chieftains; Brian Wilson; and Paul McCartney, to name only a few. Add to that their unbelievable ability as performers to connect with their audience, especially their charismatic lead vocalist, Andrea. I love Sharon's graceful beauty and her amazing talent on the violin and Caroline's sweetness combined with unbelievable musical talent at drums, bodhran, and piano. And then there's big brother Jim, who is amazing at the guitars and keyboards, often during the same song.

THEN there is also the "consistency" factor. I can think of very few bands who can create albums in which every single song is an excellent one, even the ones that are never released as singles.

They are one of GREATEST bands of all time!

[Andypandy]

Very nicely put Dazed!

[rfewrewr]

Yes you're very right Mr Steve!!!
I'll add speciality ofthe Corrs.

HEART

The Corrs always play their music with their heart. They're not do it for money, fame, or everything. They play music because they love it. Their soul...emotion...love...always appear in their song. We can feel it strongly appears in "No More Cry" and "Angel". There are lot of skillfull musician in this world....but only few musician could play their music from their heart

[DazedOblivion]

Beautifully said, Wiku!! I agree 100%!! ;D