 |
| Corinne Bailey Rae (Photo: Ken McCain) |
When she burst onto the scene in 2006 few outside of Leeds, England knew or had even heard of
Corinne Bailey. Little did she know in the year 2000, while working as a hat check girl at a local jazz club, that just six years later her debut album "Corinne Bailey Rae" would start at the top of the charts. That album was a launching pad for multiple nominations for Grammy Awards, Brit Awards, and a myriad of others that she would win in the years to come. Her album work has not been extensive over these last 12 years as one would think. While some artists are knocking down walls, you could say she's been building a quaint little home. Only three LP albums and one EP adorn her name since her decision to enter the music business, however she has contributed to other artists' work and recorded songs for film and TV. Even her touring schedule has not been as hectic as most. She is well traveled, though, and has played all over Europe as recently as two weeks ago.
 |
| Corinne Bailey Rae (Photo: Ken McCain)
|
It's likely that her success has given her the means to choose where and when to play, and so we were very excited that she made a stop here in the SF Bay Area to play at the
Mountain Winery. It was the first time she had played the venue in the hills above Saratoga. Along with Bailey Rae was the East Bay native,
Goapele. She brought along a four-piece band and two backup singers to play her set of sweet and soulful R&B. Her half our set was a perfect way to start off the evening under the stars.
 |
| Goapele (Photo: Ken McCain) |
After a short break and a stage/equipment change, the lights came up on stage while the band members took their place. What I found interesting was that the band started a song without the singer. I think it's a classy move, it gets the band going and builds on the audiences' anticipation, yet it's something that most acts don't do. Then she emerged from the right side of the stage and gave warm "hello" waves to the audience as she made her way to the front and center of the stage. Of course the crowd responded back with a huge round of applause making her debut at the Mountain Winery a welcome one. It was the first of many she would receive that night, which may have solidified her wish to return someday.
 |
| Corinne Bailey Rae (Photo: Ken McCain)
|
Bailey Rae's albums have each been produced using a great deal of musicians, engineers, and producers. Her live show, however, is anything but that. Along with herself (lead vocals, occasional acoustic and electric guitar), she had a drummer, lead guitarist, pianist, and bass player (also keys). In my book she could do an all acoustic set as a solo artist and it would still come off smashing! Drawing from her catalog of albums she gave the audience a 13 song set, rising up with the highs of songs like "Been to the Moon", "Closer", and "Paris Nights/New York Mornings" to the soft and sultry tunes like "Breathless" and "Do You Ever Think of Me?", she took us all on a rollercoaster ride of emotion. She has a way of connecting to the audience through her lyrics, her beautiful smile as she sings, and that voice as sweet as honey. If she could have sang all night I don't think anyone would have left, but as there are curfews in places like this it had to end sooner than later. The two songs that hit big for her way back in 2006 (that really wasn't so long ago) ended her set and it was much to the delight of her fans. Before she started "Put Your Records On" she urged the audience to sing the words if we knew them. Even the ushers knew them! And, of course, lastly was the tune "Like A Star". A fitting end to a perfect night with a star on stage and under the stars above.
Thanks for reading and be sure to follow us across social for more pictures, reviews and interviews here:
Facebook |
Twitter |
Instagram
