Backed by a band that Rae says she first saw a year ago behind Nitin Sawnhey at the Academy, her style is traditional with little bit of something old, something new and a strong element of Yorkshire blues thrown in. The tone of the gig is understated and laidback and is really suited more to a smoky jazz club setting. So much so that I felt myself yearning for a cosmopolitan, rather than half a cider. Rae delivers a beautifully compact set with music mainly from her debut album. Her songs are essentially a fusion of polite soul and folk. Corinne’s childlike vocals never fail to charm the audience, that’s why the genius of Like A Star stands out – her live version of which, makes you understand why Rae is so welcome in the overly commercial music world of today. But the gig isn’t all low key, Rae is able to change pace with Put Your Records On, and I’d Like To is a cut that showcases the stunning quality of her voice and why she is so worthy of “the next best thing” hype. A few months ago, she was playing small venues but since appearing on Later, she’s deservedly cracked the mainstream. Rae’s performance tonight shows the fact that she is a singer- songwriter who has come of age. She may profess to write honest songs but they are also timeless and elegant. There have been too many comparisons to date, but Rae maybe our modern day Sade. A definite star and a must see gig next time round for those of you who missed this performance.
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