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After selling four million copies of her debut album, an effort filled with her precious brand of neo-soul and the uplifting hit "Put Your Records On," singer/songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae lost her husband Jason Rae suddenly and took two years off to grieve and recover before returning with her second effort, The Sea. On the album’s opener “Are You Here,” lyrics like “Wait till you see those eyes” and “He’ll kiss you make you feel sixteen” suggest she’s just fallen in love, but the fascinating idea behind The Sea is that it never explains itself, even if there’s a new richness in Rae’s soft and oh-so-tender voice that suggests something has changed deep inside. As such, the song’s “What’s it even mean?” question could be the beginning of a love affair or a tragedy, but the following “I’d Do It All Again” is even trickier, as post-argument lyrics written before her husband’s tragic loss (“You’re searching for something I know/Won’t make you happy”) take on new meaning . Further confusing the matter, throughout the album the singer speaks of her love in the present tense. Then there are the numbers that come from left field, like the slithering, funky “The Blackest Lilly,” which struts like a sexy Rolling Stones song while pulling inspiration from Philadelphia’s neo-soul party, the Black Lily. It comes to a moving end with the title track, a masterful piece that looks back through generations of loss and the majestic ocean of time that “Breaks everything/Crushes everything/Cleans everything.” If it all seems incongruous, so is the recovery process Rae must face, and the album’s cycle of mourning, returning to work, aching, fondly reminiscing, yearning, and then back again won’t be unfamiliar to anyone who has lost someone close. It doesn’t offer any answers, but The Sea is a testament to Rae’s artistic growth as it provides comfort to those left on the wistful side of eternal love, and insight to those who are not.
© David Jeffries /TiVo
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Luke Flowers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Staff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Elmhirst, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - John McCallum, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Corinne Bailey Rae, Composer, Producer, Electric Guitar, Percussion, Piano, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Brown, Producer, Glockenspiel, Guitar, Recording Engineer, Horn Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, Bass (Vocal) - Kenny Higgins, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jennifer Birch, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Liam Duffy, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Xavier Stephenson, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Purves, Conductor - Steve Guy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Coyle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Cotterell, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Tollington, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Baker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2010 Virgin Records Limited
Luke Flowers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - John Ellis, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Ray Staff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Elmhirst, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - John McCallum, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Corinne Bailey Rae, Composer, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Brown, Producer, Organ, Recording Arranger, Asst. Recording Engineer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Farr, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Liam Duffy, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Matthew Kettle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Xavier Stephenson, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Purves, Conductor, Unknown, Other - Carol Jarvis, Horn, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Guy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Coyle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Cotterell, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jen Birch, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nia Bevan, Strings Contractor, AssociatedPerformer - James Pattinson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Adam Robinson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Edwards, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Lucie Barnicoat, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Bone, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jayne Coyle, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Raymond Lester, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Denton, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Ruth Bingham, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - David Tollington, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Freddie August, Violin, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2009 Virgin Records Limited
Luke Flowers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Staff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hart, Bass Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Elmhirst, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - John McCallum, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Corinne Bailey Rae, Composer, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Brown, Composer, Producer, Piano, Recording Engineer, Synthesizer, Recording Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Sam Bell, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Higgins, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Jennifer Birch, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Xavier Stephenson, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Purves, Conductor, Unknown, Orchestra Contractor, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Carol Jarvis, Orchestra Contractor, AssociatedPerformer - Nia Bevan, Violin, Orchestra Contractor, AssociatedPerformer - Adam Robinson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Lucie Barnicoat, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Bone, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jayne Coyle, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Levin Jones, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Kate Pelling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sally Bell, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Burns, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Melinda Gourlay, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Garrath Beckwith, Bass Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2010 Virgin Records Limited
Adam Blackstone, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Ray Staff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Elmhirst, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - John McCallum, Computermusic Voices, AssociatedPerformer - Corinne Bailey Rae, Composer, Producer, Percussion, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Brown, Producer, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Piano, Recording Engineer, Synthesizer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, Producer, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Producer, Drums, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Xavier Stephenson, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Feingold, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2010 Virgin Records Limited
Corinne Bailey Rae, Composer, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2010 Virgin Records Limited
Luke Flowers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Staff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Elmhirst, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - John McCallum, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Corinne Bailey Rae, Composer, Producer, Electric Guitar, Harp, Organ, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Brown, Producer, String Arranger, Keyboards, Recording Engineer, Synthesizer, Bass Programming, Unknown, Background Vocalist, Other, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Farr, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jennifer Birch, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Matthew Kettle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Xavier Stephenson, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - James Pattinson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Semay Wu, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Catherine Barnecutt, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Helen Tonge, Violin, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2010 Virgin Records Limited
Jon Burr, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Flowers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Staff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Elmhirst, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - John McCallum, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Corinne Bailey Rae, Composer, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Brown, Producer, Organ, Piano, Bass Programming, Recording Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jennifer Birch, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gareth Lockrane, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Xavier Stephenson, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Baker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Philip Rae, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2010 Virgin Records Limited
Steve Chrisanthou, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Staff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Elmhirst, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Corinne Bailey Rae, Producer, Glockenspiel, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Steve Brown, String Arranger, Keyboards, Organ, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Thornton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kenny Higgins, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Matthew Kettle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Xavier Stephenson, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Purves, Conductor, Unknown, Other - Carol Jarvis, Unknown, Other - Steve Guy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Coyle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Cotterell, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nia Bevan, Strings Contractor, AssociatedPerformer - James Pattinson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Adam Robinson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Edwards, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Lucie Barnicoat, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Bone, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jayne Coyle, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Raymond Lester, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Denton, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Ruth Bingham, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Freddie August, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Seb Roachford, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2010 Virgin Records Limited
Steve Chrisanthou, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Luke Flowers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Staff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Elmhirst, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Corinne Bailey Rae, Composer, Producer, Electric Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Stylophone, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Brown, Engineer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, Stylophone, Music Production, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jennifer Birch, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Matthew Kettle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Xavier Stephenson, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Green, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Steve "Billy" Buckley, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2010 Virgin Records Limited
Steve Chrisanthou, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Luke Flowers, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Staff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Elmhirst, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Corinne Bailey Rae, Composer, Producer, Glockenspiel, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Vocal Arranger, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Brown, Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Thornton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Birch, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Jennifer Birch, Composer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Matthew Kettle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Xavier Stephenson, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - David Pearson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Leeds University Liturgical Choir, Choir - Dr. Bryan White, Chorus Director, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2010 Virgin Records Limited
Steve Chrisanthou, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Staff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Elmhirst, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - John McCallum, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Corinne Bailey Rae, Composer, Producer, Harp, Vocals, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Brown, Engineer, Harmonium, Recording Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, Bass (Vocal) - Liam Duffy, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Matthew Kettle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Xavier Stephenson, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Purves, Conductor, Unknown, Other - Carol Jarvis, Horn, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Guy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Coyle, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nia Bevan, Strings Contractor, AssociatedPerformer - James Pattinson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Adam Robinson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Edwards, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Lucie Barnicoat, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Bone, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jayne Coyle, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Raymond Lester, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Denton, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Ruth Bingham, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - David Tollington, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Freddie August, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Lara Rose, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Eryl Roberts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2010 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
After selling four million copies of her debut album, an effort filled with her precious brand of neo-soul and the uplifting hit "Put Your Records On," singer/songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae lost her husband Jason Rae suddenly and took two years off to grieve and recover before returning with her second effort, The Sea. On the album’s opener “Are You Here,” lyrics like “Wait till you see those eyes” and “He’ll kiss you make you feel sixteen” suggest she’s just fallen in love, but the fascinating idea behind The Sea is that it never explains itself, even if there’s a new richness in Rae’s soft and oh-so-tender voice that suggests something has changed deep inside. As such, the song’s “What’s it even mean?” question could be the beginning of a love affair or a tragedy, but the following “I’d Do It All Again” is even trickier, as post-argument lyrics written before her husband’s tragic loss (“You’re searching for something I know/Won’t make you happy”) take on new meaning . Further confusing the matter, throughout the album the singer speaks of her love in the present tense. Then there are the numbers that come from left field, like the slithering, funky “The Blackest Lilly,” which struts like a sexy Rolling Stones song while pulling inspiration from Philadelphia’s neo-soul party, the Black Lily. It comes to a moving end with the title track, a masterful piece that looks back through generations of loss and the majestic ocean of time that “Breaks everything/Crushes everything/Cleans everything.” If it all seems incongruous, so is the recovery process Rae must face, and the album’s cycle of mourning, returning to work, aching, fondly reminiscing, yearning, and then back again won’t be unfamiliar to anyone who has lost someone close. It doesn’t offer any answers, but The Sea is a testament to Rae’s artistic growth as it provides comfort to those left on the wistful side of eternal love, and insight to those who are not.
© David Jeffries /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 00:42:43
- Main artists: Corinne Bailey Rae
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Virgin Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2010 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 2010 Virgin Records Limited
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