Following the release of her 2006 debut album, Corinne Bailey Rae found herself transformed from an unknown local performer to a worldwide pop sensation. After pushing her way to the top of the Billboard charts with "Like a Star" and "Put Your Records On," Rae wound up selling more than four million copies of her debut. Her intimate, soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics helped turned her into an award-winning star, even as her humble demeanor makes her seem more like the girl next door.
Two years after her sudden rise, Rae had to deal with the tragic death of her husband, saxophonist Jason Rae. The loss signaled a shift in her songwriting, showcased in the honesty, intimacy and emotion of her sophomore album, The Sea.
Waves of rich orchestration — strings, autoharp, piano — roll in throughout the record, weaving in and out of Rae's distinct vocal melodies. Laden with despair, hope and inspiration, The Sea finds her sorting through a jumble of emotions with the help of close friends and musicians. Rae showcases her knack for vivid imagery and clever storytelling throughout the four songs she plays in this World Cafe session.
This segment originally ran Jan. 21, 2010.
Copyright 2010 XPN
