Corinne Bailey Rae – The Sea

It sounds very harsh of me to say this but sometimes grief, sorrow, the loss of a loved one can bring out hidden depths and talents that would have remained undiscovered if the sadness had not appeared. Many of the best blues and gospel songs are based on hardship and heartache that make hearing these songs, sometimes a bitter sweet experience – “The Sea,” Corinne Bailey Rae’s second album reminds me of this.

Rae’s husband, saxophonist Jason Rae, accidentally overdosed on methadone and alcohol in March 2008. This sadness has inspired Corinne to create an album that is heartfelt, regretful but optimistic and she displays a mature songwriting style that has enabled her to both mourn and celebrate her loss.

The chorus of the opening track is a fine example of this:

“Are you here
Are you here
Are you here, cause my heart recalls that
It all seems the same
It all feels the same”

It sums up the way that a distressed dreaming soul can sometimes almost recreate their own happiness until the reality of the loss returns and one is reminded of the pain.

But don’t think that it’s all doom and gloom – they are some fine songs here such as the uplifting Paris Nights/New York Mornings, Feels Like the First Time and The Blackest Lily where she sings Colour My Heart – Make it Restart. She has a fine voice which she uses well, is backed by a good band and has developed her songwriting skills well from her first album, which was too poppy in parts – I look forward to the future music of Corinne Bailey Rae.

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