Corinne Bailey Rae's star rose fast when her single "Put Your Records On" began speaking to the heart of so many in early 2006. Still, her self-titled debut album had "legs" and a year later casual music fans were still discovering and falling in love with her warm, smooth, and touching music. Giving the established fans something new without the hazard of confusing newcomers,
Live in London & NY is a pleasurable live set that does more than placehold. It actually displays what a strong performer
Rae is and flushes out her character a bit more than her shade-too-lazy debut. Two shows are presented -- London on the DVD and New York on the CD -- and they're different enough to be distinct, suggesting the singer pegs the feel of different audiences and venues like an artist in concert should. Perhaps her band is a little too stiff, sounding like hired hands that could be working for someone entirely different tomorrow. This is overcome by the always connectable main attraction and her enthusiasm for the material, plus some smart arrangements that expand and strengthen the songs. A fringe release but a strong one that complements her debut. ~ David Jeffries