[Before I begin my review, I would like to thank Sirg0508D who ordered this DVD on amazon.co.uk for me while I ordered for her CDs in French. The latest Corrs DVD was out on November, 14th First, I wanted to write it on my letter to Santa but I couldn't wait for X-mas to watch it. I received it 3 weeks later!]
Once I got it I watched it (sorry it took me so long to write this review). I must say that I am fond of it.
♫ ♪ ♫ The Corrs are an Irish band. They've been around for quite a while so I guess you've heard of them. To say a few words about the band : there are 3 sisters and one brother from Dudalk in Ireland.
♪ Jim Corr (keyboards, guitar and vocals) was born on July 31st, 1964. He is to be father this year.
♪ Sharon Corr (violin and vocals) was born on March, 24th, 1970. She is expecting her first child.
♪ Caroline Corr (drums, bodhran, piano and vocals) was born on March 17th , 1973. She is the mother of 2.
♪Andrea Corr (Lead vocals, plays the tin whistle) was born on May 17th , 1974
♫ DVD 1 : THE DOCUMENTARY "ALL THE WAY HOME"
It is divided into 6 parts and lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes. The members of the band and their manager speak about the history of the group. It is presented chronologically and we have the chance to see family photographs of Jim and his sisters as children and youngsters. It was filmed in 2005 while the band was rehearsing for a mini-tour promoting their "Home" album. They were to play in Bonn, Monte Carlo, the Montreux Jazz Festival and a G8 concert.
♪ ACT 1 : THE CORRS FAMILY
Music has always been part of the lives of the Corrs family. For instance, Andrea's hobby was singing and their father taught them how to play the piano. Sharon and Jim, who were a bit older than their sisters performed as a duo in their aunt's pub Mc Manus's. At the same time, Sharon managed a record shop in Dundalk. In the documentary, we can see an extract from a home-made shooting of the family as a band in 1990. At the time, Andrea (who was 16) was still at school and Jim rented a house nearby, where there was a kind of studio.
What changed everything was the venue in Ireland of Alan Parker. He wanted to direct "the Commitments". So, he auditioned locals and of cours, The Corrs wouldn't miss it!Andrea got a small part in the film but he band was auditioned by John Hughes, who worked on the soundtrack of the film. After becoming friends with Jim Corr, he became the manager of the band.
In 1992, their first public performance took place in The Waterfront and soon after, their first professional gig was in Whelan's bar in Dublin. Once again, they were indeed very lucky since Jean Kennedy Smith (John Fitzgerald Kennedy's sister and American ambassador to Ireland) invited them to play in Boston and in New York. There, they met Davis Forster and played for him "Forgiven not forgotten". At the end of 1994, The Corrs signed their first professionnal contract with "143", a part of Atlantic records. Then, they went to California to record their first album.
♪ ACT 2 : "FORGIVEN, NOT FORGOTTEN"
The songs of this album were written over a five-year period. It was released in October, 1995 and they promoted it in the USA, Australia and Europe. In the documentary, we can see short extracts of their videos : "Forgiven, not forgotten"; "The right time"; "Love to love you". That's when Anto Drennan (lead guitar) and Keith Duffy (bass) joined the band.
They went back to Dundalk for a concert in 1996 before ending their tour in the stadium of Dublin in front of 2,500 people. On New Year's Eve (1996/1997), they performed in a pub (The Point) in Dublin.
♪ ACT 3 : "TALK ON CORNERS"
To record their second album, the band went back to California. This period is marked by conflict, both within the group and between The Corrs and their record company. The record company wanted more new song. They also wanted to leave "So young" off the album and were not too fussed about "What can I do?" either.
On March, 17th 1998, they played in the Royal Albert Hall. It was broadcast live on TV. Shortly before, they had appeared on the Fleetwood Mac tribute album "Dreams" on which they sang "Dreams". They invited Mick Fleetwood on stage. He played the drums in synchronicity with Caroline Corr. After that, it was success after success : "I never really loved you anyway"; "Only when I sleep". In 1999, 40,000 to 45,000 tickets were sold for the Corrs concert at Lansdowne Road (concert available on DVD). They were the second Irish band to play in a stadium (U2 were the first).
Their next album was a total contrast : it was an "Unplugged" session (also available on CD and DVD). There was a small audience and an orchestra. We have extracts of "Radio"; "Forgiven, not forgotten"; "No frontiers". On this occasion, they sang "Old town" (a song by Phil Lynott) which is, according to Andrea both "uplifting and heartbreaking".
♪ ACT 4 : "IN BLUE"
While recording "In Blue", Jean Corr (mother of the members of the band) became ill and died quickly. Her four children declare : "She would've wanted us to carry on." "In Blue" started to be written in Dublin. Mutt Lange produced 3 songs. Among them, "Breathless" which was The Corrs's first Number One in the UK. Thanks to a massive radio play, it became Number one in 18 countries. For the members of the band, it was "a dream come true." In 2000, they played live in London wembley Arena (available on DVD).
After that, it is as if the members of the band wanted to live their own lives; to have time on their own. Sharon got married, then Caroline while Jim learned to fly a helicopter and Andrea played in the film"The boys and girl from Country Clare".
♪ ACT 5 : "THE NEW CORRS"
From June 2003, the band spent over a year in and out of the studio to record "Borrowed Heaven". Andrea wrote the song "Angel" dedicated to her mother. Then, they filmed the "Summer Sunshine" video. While planning the Borrowed Heaven tour, Caroline got pregnant with her second child. So, she didn't travel to the USA in August and to Europe. On October, 11th the birth of her daughter was announced at the beginning of the Paris concert. And in Geneva, she was back!
But a question is asked : is this the farewell tour ?
♪ ACT 6 : "ALL THE WAY HOME"
It was Caroline's idea to record an album with traditional songs. Towards the end of the documentary, each member gives his/her opinion. They are on the whole proud and happy with what they've done. Of course, they would do it again. They met Pope John Paul II, Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela and Bono.
₪ Bonuses ₪
"Playing for the crew" : the Corrs play for British troops.
"Playing for the Pope"
"Farcical Football" : the band was invited to sing during an American football match but the mike woudn't work.
Videos of "Angel" and "Long Night".DVD 2 : Live in Geneva 2004
The concert was filmed on November, 26th 2004. It was a very important date for the band since Caroline was back six weeks after her second child (a daughter) was born. I was personnally very interested in watching the concert because I went to see them live in October, 2004 during the "Borrowed heaven" tour. It was a great time indeed.
Humdrum
Only When I Sleep Dreams What Can I Do? Forgiven Not Forgotten Angel
Runaway Return From Fingal/Trout In A Bath Borrowed Heaven No Frontiers Queen Of Hollywood Long Night Old Town Radio Summer Sunshine So Young I Never Loved You Anyway Goodbye Breathless Toss The Feathers
More details
Story
Good
Special Effects
Standard
How does it compare to others by the same director?
Not applicable
Value for Money
Excellent
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