February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The 23 numbers on “Live in London” include all of the band’s biggest hits, from their American crossover hit “Breathless” to the hypnotic, Irish-flavored cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” Lead singer Andrea Corr is at her sultry best on “Forgiven, Not Forgotten,” “So Young” and “I Never Loved You Anyway.” Her violin-playing sister, Sharon, adds a sensuous Irish lilt to “Only When I Sleep” and “The Right Time,” while Caroline, the band’s drummer, provides a steady backbeat throughout. On “All the Love in the World,” the three sisters take the spotlight, harmonizing while their brother Jim trades his guitar for keyboards.
The physical beauty of the Corr sisters — each of whom is dark-haired, doe-eyed and thin — can sometimes evoke memories of Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” video with its all-model band. But closer inspection shows that the combination is not just a gimmick: the lookalike siblings have distinct personalities and styles. Andrea is the driving front woman, her sexy gyrations at odds with a Bono-like swagger. Sharon is the demure violinist who sways as she plays the instrument with a languid grace, while Caroline’s porcelain demeanor is at odds with her fierce pounding on her drum kit.
In addition to the 23 tracks, there is a bonus clip of the band performing “Happy Xmas [War is Over]” plus a 20-minute behind-the-scenes documentary. There is also a 360-degree camera angle of the “So Young” performance, and multiple viewing angles for select songs.
In the end, “The Corrs: Live in London” provides a great introduction to the band for new fans, and satisfies the faithful with its comprehensive scope. This is a band that recognizes its strengths: power ballads and upbeat pop/rock songs, all delivered with grace and a generous sprinkling of Irish traditional lines. The only surprise on the DVD is that the band is even better than the hype. Or, to use the title of one of their songs, this group is, indeed, “Irresistible.”
THE CORRS: LIVE IN LONDON. Available on DVD from Rhino Home Video. 129 minutes.