Product Description

This is the eponymously-titled debut album from British blues-soul sensation, Corinne Bailey-Rae. Inspired by artists such as Billie Holiday and Jill Scott, this is a recording that displays a patchwork of influences, all held together wonderfully by Rae's unique vocal stylings. Includes the singles 'Like A Star' and 'Put Your Records On'.

Track Listing

1. Like A Star
2. Enchantment
3. Put Your Records On
4. Till It Happens To You
5. Trouble Sleeping
6. Call Me When You Get This
7. Choux Pastry Heart
8. Breathless
9. I'd Like To
10. Butterfly
11. Seasons Change

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1700 in Music
• Released on: 2006-02-27
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
When soul music is at its finest, a great vocalist can take you along on a journey into their sadness, loneliness, joy, and passion. When mixing that voice with horns, harmonies, and a bluesy Hammond organ, that same music can seamlessly travel across decades. Many new artists claim to accomplish that feat, but few are sincerely ageless and timeless: Corinne Bailey Rae has those qualities in spades. Rae--a newcomer out of Leeds, UK, with a gospel choir history--has created a self-titled CD that occasionally evokes the feeling of a '70s Bill Withers classic, while bringing inflections of Zero 7 and Alicia Keys to her grooves as well. Straight from track one, "Like a Star" displays a restrained soulfulness that shows her strengths through a whisper soft melody. Other standout cuts include the breakup-ache of "Till It Happens To You" and "Choux Pastry Heart," which discloses her jazz-affected timing and the level of powerful songwriting that she is capable of at her very best. In a day and age where a good voice alone can provide you with a golden ticket, it is refreshing to see that Rae has not only written or cowritten every song on her debut, she also contributes guitar, bass, keys, and percussion to the tracks. Her songs have some room to mature, but as a new recording artist in her mid-20s, so does she. Soul lovers, pass the word: this is one impressive debut. --Denise Sheppard

From the Label
It becomes self-evident the moment you hear her sing the very first note of her very first EP. That EP was called "Like A Star", and it showcases a slice of sublime Billie Holiday blues delivered with a voice that pins you, in the softest but most persuasive of ways, to the wall; a voice that floats up effortlessly, full of caress, subtlety and the very purest quality. It is wonderful, this voice, and surely a discovery to treasure, but it belongs to a young woman not from somewhere musically exotic--say, Mississippi or even Manhattan--but just east of the M1: Leeds. Her name is Corinne Bailey Rae, and she was born to do this.

Customer Reviews

Rae of Sunshine
It's taken some time since seeing her for the first time on Jules Holland's 'Later' last year for me to get round to buying this album.

My memory of that show is encapsulated in her rendition of
album opener 'Like A Star'; with only a guitarist for accompaniment it
was clear that Miss Bailey Rae was a significant new talent to contend with.

It is refreshing to find a performer who does not have to rely on
technology or novelty to impress. Her voice is warm and sure; her tone
and phrasing seductive; her writing skills strong and unpretentious.

The album is a predominantly laid-back affair. The musicians and producers
are sympathetic; knowing how to hold back and allow a great voice to shine.

An impressive debut. I look forward to the next installment.

A Musician's Opinion
I cannot understand those reviewers who said that this album needs to be listened to a number of times before it grows on you. I heard the tv advert which has snatches of about three songs, each one lasting a few seconds and based on that, I bought the album. As a guitarist and composer myself, perhaps I can appreciate her songwriting skills more than the non-musician. When someone is praised by a composer of Burt Baccarac's ability, it is silly for non-musicians to waffle about her "showing promise" or being: "quite good". By all means, say: "I don't like it." But don't make "musical" criticisms unless you are a musician. It's a little like a hospital janitor commenting on the surgical skills of the consultant - silly.

let the sun shine in
This is Corrines Debut album and showcases her sweet full of sunshine voice. from the great'put your records on' to wonderful ballad 'trouble sleeping' it's a great listen from start to finish. Corinne is a major star in the making as her debut album proves.