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By Marinel R. Cruz
Country's traffic
BRITISH singer-songwriter Julia Fordham, Spanish pop singer Princesa, sax jazz player David Koz and now Irish pop group The Corrs have all come to the Philippines to perform. They have also commented about the state of the country's traffic, whose state according to them ranges from unbelievable to downright horrible.
Traffic was probably the reason why the Sept. 29 The Corrs press conference at the Discovery suite was delayed for about two hours.
Nevertheless, ecstatic applause and screams greeted the Irish siblings Andrea, Sharon, Jim and Caroline Corr when they finally came at around 1 p.m. for the 30-minute conference with the members of the Philippine media. The Corrs later had a two-night concert at the Araneta Coliseum.
Lead singer and tin-whistle player Andrea remarked that Filipinos are so much like the Irish in that they show it when they feel excited.
"We do scream and yell when something good happens," Andrea said. "Filipinos are very, very open. Not a culture to curtail their excitement. We've received such a warm welcome."
The Corrs came six months after they were originally slated to perform in Manila because Andrea suffered a severe ear infection and doctors advised her not to travel. Now, she said the long wait only heightened their excitement to perform in the Philippines.
"We want to show the fans that we appreciate their support," she said. "We wanted to make our concert worth their wait."
Currently on a world tour, the group is also set to release in the Philippines on Oct. 15 the album "The Best of the Corrs," with the new single "Would You Be Happier?"
It's been six years since their debut record "Forgiven, Not Forgotten," which was followed by three more equally successful albums.
The siblings were born and raised in Dundalk, Ireland, and were encouraged to play musical instruments at an early age.
Asked how it is like sharing work with her sisters and brother, Andrea talked about love and friendship and avoiding sibling rivalry. Siblings, she said, should not take each other for granted. "If you're angry because (a sibling) did something when you were six... it shouldn't follow you on to when you're 15 or 20."
They believe that even when siblings are connected through their parents, love and friendship are not guaranteed and have to be worked on.
Violinist Sharon says this principle also holds true for other bands. "We must always be open to learn new things, to explore," she said.
"Forgiven, Not Forgotten" became multi-platinum in several countries in Europe, went gold in most of the rest of the world, and the group became known as the world's hardest-working band.
Appreciation from fans is a band's greatest reward, Andrea said, "when you write something that you believe in and people are moved by it."
Second album
Appreciation was apparent in their second album, "Talk On Corners," which produced four hit singles: "Only When I Sleep," "What Can I Do," "I Never Loved You Anyway" and "So Young." The album became the biggest selling British album in 1998.
In November 1999, The Corrs released their third offering, "MTV Unplugged." The album produced hits like "Radio" and their version of REM's "Everybody Hurts," which they first sung as a tribute to the victims of a 1998 bombing in Ireland.
Like most of us, the group was deeply saddened by the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington DC and would also love to contribute in any way.
Lead guitarist Jim considered the attacks "such a sensitive issue" that he didn't think "we're even qualified to comment about it.
"Remember that these people who keep committing these acts actually believe that they will go to heaven after they die," he said.
What artists like them can do, drummer Caroline said, is to "get involved musically. Music is very therapeutic. In moments of great tragedy, people find solace in listening to music."
Their latest album, "In Blue," is dedicated to their mother Jean who died while they were recording. "In Blue" includes "Breathless," "Irresistible," and "All the Love in the World," all of which are slowly getting more airplays locally.
"In Blue" is said to be their most mature album yet.
"We're open to everything," said Sharon when asked whether the band ever considered collaborating with other artists.
Sharon said they spent so much time writing and recording their latest offering and they're "happy doing it this way."
"If the opportunity arises, we welcome it (collaboration), but we can't actually see someone we'd love to collaborate with at this moment," Sharon said.
For "In Blue," The Corrs received a multi-platinum record award from Warner Music Philippines managing director Ricky Ilacad during the press conference.
The group also received tokens of appreciation from Odyssey Records president Jimmy Fonacier and Nokia ad and promo manager Lynn Montealegre and 89.9 dwTM.
"The Corrs In Blue" concert was sponsored by Nokia, in cooperation with
Jag Jeans, Mega Magazine, Continental German Tires Technology, Strepsils,
E! Philippines, MTV Philippines and Warner Music Philippines.