The return of The Corrs

Some of the brightest music moments of these past few years can be traced back to The Corrs. The talented foursome from Ireland scored one hit after another after they made their debut in 1996. Runaway, So Young, All the Love in the World, Dreams, What Can I Do, Only When I Sleep, Someday, Radio, I Never Loved You Anyway, Breathless and Give Me a Reason are some of the titles they popularized.

The best things The Corrs has going for it was their unique blend of traditional Irish tunes with rock, folk or simple pop. Then there is also that violin, which I have never seen used as effectively in pop music recording. And it also helps that the members have been blessed with fashion model looks. The Corrs is composed of Jim Corr on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and keyboards and his three sisters, Andrea on lead vocals, backing vocals and the tin whistle, Sharon on violin and backing vocals and Caroline on drums, percussion, backing vocals and the badhran. Andrea’s vocals and Sharon’s violin are the two most distinctive features of music by The Corrs.

The Corrs have released four albums. Forgiven Not Forgotten, Talk on Corners, The Corrs: MTV Unplugged and In Blue, the last studio album that came out in 2000. This was followed by a greatest hits collection two years later. Then recently there came Borrowed Heaven, a tight well-conceived production of entirely new songs that proves that The Corrs put their four years away from the limelight to very good use.

All of the songs were written by The Corrs, and what excellent songwriters these siblings have become. These songs take the listener on an aural trip through a wide range of feelings, all of them enjoyable even if about broken hearts. Take the first single, Summer Sunshine. You can add this to your list of favorite sunny songs beside the most infectious ones by the Beach Boys. It is that good. If you want something playful and a bit synthesized, there are Humdrum and Even If which features World Music star Ladysmith Black Mambazo of South Africa.

The upbeat title track and Confidence for Quiet echoes old hits like Runaway. These come with strong violin solos and superb vocals by everybody. If you want something sweet and sentimental there is the sad ballad Time Enough for Tears, which is the one song not composed by The Corrs. It is by Bono, Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer and was used in the soundtrack of the motion picture In America.

As for that distinctive Irish lilt, there is not much of it here, just hints here and there in some songs except for the closing cut Silver Strand, where The Corrs go all out with the music. They sound like they are totally enjoying themselves. You will, too.

The Corrs is this month’s "The Chosen One" in Channel V and featured are the songs from the new album. Being "The Chosen One" means there will be lots of Corrs activities at the music channel this July and the group will be seen doing interviews, in music videos, live performances and in the Borrowed Heaven Special.

Catch Borrowed Heaven this Monday, July 12 at 10 p.m. with repeats on Tuesday, July 13 at 9 a.m.; Thursday, July 15 at 1 p.m.; Saturday, July 17 at 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Sunday, July 18 at 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. and on Monday, July 19 at 1 a.m. Other shows to watch out for are The Corrs at Speakeasy, 4Play and on Mainstage: The Corrs Live.

If you like watching and of course, listening to great singing by your favorite stars on television, then here is the album for you. Produced by Viva Records, the special compilation is titled Back 2 Back 2 Back and it features Regine Velasquez, Janno Gibbs, Ogie Alcasid, Jaya, and Lani Misalucha together in one package doing solos, duets and even a soaring quartet of really challenging songs. Every copy comes with a bonus VCD so you also get to watch these fine vocalists do their numbers live.

Among these are Emotion by Regine; Love Me Again by Lani; If I Sing You a Love Song by Janno; Beauty and Madness by Jaya; I Will be There by Ogie; Hanggang Ngayon by Regine and Ogie; Kung Kailangan Mo Ako by Jaya and Ogie; Habang May Buhay by Jaya and Regine; Through the Fire by Lani and Janno; Sa Lahat ng Aming Inibig by Janno and Ogie and One by Ogie, Jaya, Lani and Regine.