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It was a night to remember. The cold drizzle licked the pavement of the midtown sidewalks, making Manhattan feel more like Dublin. People clad in green scurried through the streets as their workday ended, and it seemed as though the city was powered by emerald electricity during the rush hour.
It was a great day to be Irish. Even the harsh economic climate added to the festivities! I sat across the street from Radio City Music Hall in a pretentious nouveau brewery, fascinated by the thrill of watching former "dot com" millionaires cry in their microbrewed beers. They say a bartender is really a pharmacist with an extremely limited inventory, and tonight the special of the day was liquid painkillers. The bar patrons were rolling their thumbs around their temples, mourning the passing of their wealth and commiserating with one another over the bear's carnage of their stock portfolios.
Entertaining
It was hard to tear myself away from this highly entertaining show,
but I knew the Corrs were set to hit the stage in the house that the Rockettes
built. Since I had given up hope that the bartender would pour a good pint
from the microbrewery tap, I was forced to the top shelf of the bar for
the whiskey instead. I guess that explained why my knees felt like rubber
bands as I entered the honeycombed halls of Radio City Music Hall. I squinted
and rubbed my eyes in the lobby. Was it the drink, or did I see a crimson
Mercedes Benz spinning on a pedestal? Corporate sponsorship had ushered
itself into the Corrs' vernacular. At least the family has good taste in
automobiles.
Brian Kennedy left the comfortable confines of his Arlene's Grocery gig to warm the crowd with a pleasant acoustic set. When the lights dimmed and the Corrs took their places, the crowd bathed them with adulation. With a spare stage arrangement and few backing musicians, the emphasis was squarely on the musicianship of this talented family. They were accompanied by a large video screen behind them, which added some subtle ambiance to some of the songs. At one point, the screen was speckled with stars.
When the girls appeared on the big screens with that as their backdrop, they took on an otherworldly appearance that seemed to confirm their stature as video goddesses. Looking exquisite with her jet-black hair and glam makeup, Andrea Corr kicked off the concert as she sashayed across the stage for a sensual rendition of "Only in My Dreams." She left the shoes in the dressing room, choosing instead to pace the stage in bare feet with a form-fitting designer dress that made her look like a panther. She was very aware of the camera that propelled her image on the big screen, and she used it to full advantage. Her sister Caroline propelled the band with a ferocious beat, remaining hunched over her drum kit in a fetching silver tank top for the duration of the evening.
Free to rock
Contrary to popular belief, how they looked is only one part of what
makes this band great. They sounded considerably more muscular in a live
setting than the bland band that occasionally shows up on records with
the Corrs' label on them. Free from the constraints of pop producers who
try to homogenize their sound, the band was free to rock out on "Give Me
A Reason" and "Forgiven Not Forgotten." Jim Corr injected a wicked chunky
guitar riff during "Radio." The band's propulsive arrangements and gorgeous
harmonies drew favorable comparisons to Fleetwood Mac at these moments,
and they confirmed the presence of the classic rock ghosts when they did
a rousing cover of "Dreams."
The guitars were brassy and dirty, and the bass throbbed with feedback at times. These sonic imperfections might distract the performance of some bands, but it tended to loosen up their muscular delivery. There were many vocal improvisations throughout the night, which added to their carefree spirit. This seldom heard buoyancy was not lost on the fans as Radio City Music Hall was transformed into an intimate pub in Temple bar. Some fans broke into spontaneous dancing in the aisles during the many traditional reels that laced their set. During these moments, the sweet sound of Sharon Corr's crisp fiddle playing took center stage.
Unplugged and inspired
The Corrs offered an inspired unplugged set that was the highlight
of the evening. With Caroline on bodrhan, brother Jim on piano, Andrea
on tin whistle, and Sharon on violin, the family generated a warm feeling
with a spine-tingling "Runaway." At the end of the set, Caroline was rewarded
with a birthday cake. The family gesture only added to the earthy quality
of this memorable evening.
To top things off, the band ended the evening with the spirited "Tossing Feathers," an amazing reel from their first album. The group made a number of appearances on the small screen this weekend, including a stop on NBC's "The Today Show." It was during that broadcast, after a flawless performance of "Breathless," that Jim Corr announced that the band will be opening for U2 in Miami for the tour kickoff. Negotiations are said to be underway to have the two Irish bands share the stage at other stops, so you may have a chance to witness the Corrs give Bono and the boys a run for their money! The family goes out of their way to tangle themselves in their traditional roots in a live setting, yet this facsimile of their band has yet to surface on the gazillion-selling CDs. Here's hoping they put a piece of Radio City on their next studio efforts! I know many traditional enthusiasts love to dismiss this band as a lightweight, but they displayed some formidable Irish chops to the adoring New York crowds. And that ain't the liquor talkin'.
Irish Voice