Update: I've noticed lots of referrals from Corrinne May's forum. If you're one of them,... hello! *waves hand*I've just returned from the concert, "Christmas with Corrinne May", held at the Esplanade. As to be expected, it was a spectacular evening filled with heartwarming songs presented in a soulful, meaningful manner.
Each song was rendered in the same lush manner by Corrinne May, who was dressed in a dark blue evening gown, backed up by an incredible band and string orchestra that was totally in sync with her piano playing. There were few hiccups, no major boo-boos except for a minor audio issue that was laughed away casually. The only complaint I have is that, at times, her voice was drowned out by the loud background music, particularly the drums and guitars.
The song selection consisted mostly of tracks from her newest album, "The Gift". She also included a few songs from her previous albums, some unreleased songs, and a few bonus Christmas songs. Whereas most of her older songs had a more mainstream message, her selection this evening had an overt Christian tone. Perhaps she believed her audience has become more receptive to such music, especially at Christmas time.
And as is her signature style, she opened each song with a short, poignant story. This being a Christmas concert, all of her stories had a Christmas theme. Most of them were about her views about Christmas, from receiving presents in stockings to her first encounter with "snow" in a Singaporean shopping centre. She also reflected on the original Christmas story and wondered aloud how the people involved -- Joseph, Mary, the shepherds and the wise men -- must have felt that special night. All of this was done in a very childlike, innocent manner, which made the audience even more emotionally involved.
In the second half of the concert, the Singapore Youth Choir ensemble singers joined her on stage. It provided backup vocals that made her songs sound even more majestic. Together with the light display that shone all over the hall, the concert suddenly became more lively. So while it had started out on an intimate moment between Corrinne May and her audience, it ended as a full-on grand concert that made for a powerful, spectacular display.
But Corrinne May wisely ended the night with an encore that had a very personal touch. Accompanied only by her band, she sang "Have Yourself a Merry Christmas" with a touch of jazz. It was a quiet way to end a wonderful night of beautiful music.
Run-down of concertThe concert began about 10 minutes after its scheduled start time. The string orchestra came on stage first, followed by the band. And then, to rousing applause, Corrinne May walked on and headed for the piano to begin the show.
Silent Night
Hark the Herald Angels Sing -- she seemed to really get into the groove of things with this song, swaying wildly as she played.
She then introduced everyone on stage. She hesitated a few times when introducing each member of the string orchestra because, in her own words, she sucks at Chinese names.
She talked about the madness of Christmas shopping at Orchard Road, but reminded us about why we have Christmas.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
She liked this next song because of its Celtic melody. It also made her wonder how Mary must have felt when she was holding the baby Jesus.
Be Thou My Vision
Whenever she heard this next song, it reminded her of the "classic" scene of Joseph and Mary surrounding the manger that held Jesus.
Away in a Manger
Her first Christmas story of the night: When she was growing up, she saw all of these Western images of Santa Claus delivering presents by entering each house through its chimney. She wondered how Santa would deliver presents to children in Singapore since our houses don't have chimneys. And she doubted that Santa would want to enter through the HDB rubbish chute! She also saw pictures of stockings filled with presents and told her mum about them. One Christmas morning, she awoke to find a stocking stuffed with gifts, hanging at the foot of her bed. That day, her mother was her angel.
Angel in Disguise
She started the next song by saying that she believes that one person can make a difference in the world. Mary understood the importance of her role when she said yes to becoming pregnant with Jesus, even though she was unmarried at the time.
Beautiful Seed
Second Christmas story: When she was very young, she wanted to experience snow. So she was excited when she learned that a shopping centre in Singapore would have snow. She went there eagerly with her mum. Unfortunately, she found that they used a snow-making machine, and the snow that came out looked like ice kachang!
In the Bleak Midwinter
At this point, she got up from the piano and took a seat at the front of the stage. Her husband and producer, Kavin, took over piano duties.
During her current visit home, she was surprised to see so many of her male friends becoming fathers. Even her brother had become one. She thought that it was wonderful to see men carrying babies. And with a sideways glance, she said, "Hint!" It also made her wonder about how Joseph must have felt when he first held Jesus.
What Child is This?
In announcing the intermission, she invited the audience to mingle. And to all of the single guys, she hoped that they would find a nice single girl seated next to them. (I didn't have that luck.)
After the intermission, the choir joined her on stage.
Hail Mary
Angels We Have Heard on High
She introduced the Singapore Youth Choir ensemble singers. Then, just before going into her next song, she complained about the bad ear piece she had. While it was being fixed, she said that having the contraption in her ear made her feel robotic. Once the matter was resolved, she joked that Bionic Woman was back!
She talked a bit more about the last-minute Christmas shopping. (I forgot what else she said here.)
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Christmas story number three: There was a massive snowstorm one winter while she was staying in Boston. Since she had never experienced snow before, she took advantage of the situation and did the usual fun things, like making snow angels. But then it got really, really cold and she had to be bundled up constantly. That's when she wished that it would be warm again.
She loved this next song because of its nursery rhyme style, e.g. talking about shepherds and their sheep, etc.
Do You Hear What I Hear?
The next song was actually based on "The Planets" by Gustav Holst, in particular, "Jupiter". The version with lyrics that she had heard was very British and patriotical. So she rewrote the lyrics to make the song more meaningful.
The Answer
She travels a lot in the U.S., carrying her keyboard from gig to gig. So she sort of understood how the three wise men must have felt as they travelled from the east to meet Jesus, and wondering when their journey would end.
On My Way -- this was the first time she was performing it publicly
She has often met people who admire her talent for music. They then go on to say that they are useless because they don't have any gifts. But she doesn't believe in that. For instance, she has never been good at Maths, but that didn't stop her from pursuing her musical career. She believes that each person should use his gift, whether big or small, to make a difference. Gifts also made her think about the three wise men with their gold, frankincense and myrrh -- gifts that were fit for a king.
Five Loaves and Two Fishes -- this was also a new song
When she announced that the next song was the last, several audience members groaned loudly. But that didn't put her off. She thanked everyone, from the Esplanade to the choir to the sound and lights crew to her band and orchestra, and finally to her husband. She remarked that she could probably write a book with all of her thanks.
She also wanted to thank her and Kavin's piano teachers, who were in the audience. She remarked that back then, she drove her teacher, Mrs. Rodriguez, up the wall. Recently, Mrs. Rodriguez had called her. Corrinne, mimicking her voice, recalled what she said: "Do you remember when I threw your book at you?"
She opened her last song by thinking aloud about the annual Christmas light-up at Orchard Road. She remarked that it has been going on for 22 years already, and was surprised that it had lasted for so long. Since this was Christmas time, she thought that she would end on a joyous note.
Joy to the World
And then the concert was over, with the choir, orchestra and band leaving the stage. But of course, there was the encore. Corrinne took to the stage again and introduced a wonderful musician -- her husband. She noted that they had met while studying at Berklee together. He sat at the piano while she took her seat at the front of the stage. Then she bade the rest of her band to join her too.
Whenever someone asks her what she wants for Christmas, she feels like singing this next song.
My Grown Up Christmas List
She then remembered that she had forgotten to thank her parents. So she thanked her mum and dad. And in a soft voice while peering into the darkened hall, "Mum?" But she figured that her parents were too shy or embarrassed to respond.
She wished everyone a Merry Christmas. She would be spending Christmas with Kavin's family in Las Vegas. She looked forward to the buffets there.
Have Yourself a Merry Christmas
And that was it. There was an autograph session at the end of the show, but I didn't stay for it.
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Wow, another landmark is closing in Madison. Looks like 
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