This Singapore-born, Berklee-educated songwriter combines the haunting otherworldliness of artists like Sarah McLachlan and Sting with the open veracity of Joni Mitchell. The result is Corrinne May's stunning self-titled release. May's voice is instantly intoxicating - beautiful and adept, but never needlessly showy. Her melodies slide elegantly through well-executed, smart arrangements. Even though one track, the lovely "If You Didn't Love Me", was co-written by Carole King and Carole Bayer Sager, May's solely self-penned songs stand on their own as solid, engaging examples of writing. "Stay on the Road" and "All that I Need" are lush driven pop while "Mr. Beasley" and the sweet opener "Fly Away" are piano adorned folk gems. With her hopeful, fluid lyrics and heavenly voice, this is a touching, enchanting record.
- Performing Songwriter Magazine, August 2002
There are some artists whose material is based on what the masses want, the genres du-jour. I admit that those are in my library. It's just that I can't have too much of it - they are indulgences. Then there are artists like Corinne May who uses music as a medium to communicate with you. What you end up hearing is not just the notes or the arrangement, but the message they are trying to tell you, confiding their most inner being with the listener. She tells you about her relationships, both horizontal and vertical. You may not know anything her parents or her Providence but that's the beauty of music such as this. It pulls you in and in the process, you experience.
I for one am deeply appreciative that there are the "Corinne Mays" out there who stays true to their craft and uses music as a means to an end instead of letting the music be an end in itself. I recommend that you hear it and experience it for yourself.