The first thing that strikes you is the remarkable bone structure.  They look like a band that’s comprised of three super models and their brother.  Good genes you might say.  And then they begin to play and you’re compelled to make a reassessment. The Corrs from Dundalk, Ireland have…spectacular genes.

In the ’60s and ’70s Gerry Corr (a payroll department manager by day) and his wife, Jean regularly played and sang pop standards together at local pubs.  As their young family grew they would often bring their kids (Jim, Sharon, Caroline and Andrea) to the performances. Gerry also taught each of his children to play the piano and while Jim (the eldest) took guitar lessons, Sharon (the eldest daughter) learned violin.

Once they graduated from school, Jim and Sharon began playing as a duo at their aunt’s local pub and were eventually joined by their younger sisters, with Caroline on drums and Andrea singing lead.  Then the Corrs’ career took off, when in 1991 they each landed small parts in (that seminal film) “The Commitments” and the film’s musical coordinator became their manager. Since then the sibling group has released five studio albums (and numerous singles), which have all gone platinum.

And yet there’s more. In 2005 they each became honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire for their prolific philanthropy, making them the first Irish band ever to receive such an honor from the Queen.

Written in 1982 by Phillip Lynott, lead singer for the Dublin band, Thin Lizzy, “Old Town” was the first song to be played on Irish legal Independent Radio (Dublin’s Capital Radio 104.4) when it was launched in 1989. Although the Corrs covered the song with a studio recording for their 2005 album, “Home” they first performed it during their 1999 appearance on MTV’s Unplugged series.  Today’s selection is that rendition.

 Oh and regarding that good bone structure.  Take a look for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSEBUCu-wYs

 

LISTEN TO TODAY’S SELECTION – Friday 10 March

Old Town

The girl’s a fool

She broke the rule

She hurt him hard

This time he will break down

She’s lost his trust

And so she must

Know all is lost

The system has broke down

Romance has broke down

 This boy is crackin’ up

This boy has broken down

This boy is crackin’ up

This boy has broke down

She plays it hard

She plays it tough

But that’s enough

The love is over

She’s broke his heart and that is rough

But in the end he’ll soon recover

The romance is over

This boy is crackin’ up

This boy has broken down

This boy is crackin’ up

This boy has broke down

This boy is crackin’ up

This boy has broken down

This boy is crackin’ up

This boy has broke down

 I’ve been spending my money

In the old town

It’s not the same honey

With you not around

I’ve been spending my time

In the old town

I sure miss you honey

Now you’re not around

You’re not around

This old town

Hola

 This boy is crackin’ up

This boy has broken down

Yeah, yeah

This boy is crackin’ up

This boy has broke down

 This boy is crackin’ up

This boy has broken down

 Yeah, yeah

This boy is crackin’ up

This boy has broke down