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Anna Corcoran

Venue: Grateful Fred's
Town: Formby
Date: 6th March 2013
Website: http://www.annacorcoran.com

Where better for talented singer/songwriter/pianist Anna Corcoran to launch her superb debut EP "Anything Better" than in front of her hometown crowd at Grateful Fred's in Formby, Liverpool ? Whilst Anna was opening for headliner Rita Hosking from California, it is clear that a fair proportion of the crowd had come to support their own, homegrown talent.

I first saw Anna perform as a member of the excellent Sefton Youth Jazz Orchestra several years ago. Since then she has graduated with a degree in Music from Goldsmith's and subsequently held residences as a pianist in some of London's most prestigious venues. In 2009, she returned to Liverpool to establish herself as a singer-songwriter. Indeed, Anna recently performed a sold-out concert at the Liverpool Philharmonic's Rodewald Suite. She has also worked with other Liverpool musicians, notably the excellent Rob Vincent, another talented local songwriter.

Anna was clearly delighted to be performing at the now-legendary Grateful Fred's [ Formby's equivalent of the Bluebird Cafe! ], especially on the day when her 3-track EP was released. She told us how thrilled she was to see her name on iTunes ! Naturally, Anna performed all three songs from the EP ["Anything Better", "Fallen Easy" and "The Show"], accompanying her beautiful, warm voice with her skilled, jazz-influenced piano playing. The three songs on the EP show Anna to be a songwriter of great maturity, particularly "The Show", which has a distinctly French feel to it, especially in the chorus. It somehow conjures up black and white images of Paris in the 1950's [well it does to me, anyway]. Anna told us that this is the most popular track from her EP in terms of downloads.

One of Anna's greatest influences is Joni Mitchell and tonight she performed a spine-tingling version of "Both Sides Now", which was absolutely gorgeous [check out Anna's version on You Tube ]. Another Canadian artist who has had a great influence on Anna is Sarah McLachlan and Anna sang Sarah's "Do What You Have To Do" beautifully.

Anna saved what is perhaps her most powerful song until last, the stunning "Tied Up With A Ribbon", her emotional but controlled voice filling the large venue. It is a wonderful song, demonstrating Anna's strength as a writer of great depth. There is a video of Anna performing this song on You Tube which I would recommend that you view without delay.

All in all, it was an enthralling performance from a superbly talented artist of whom we will hear a great deal more in the future, I am sure.

Peter Cowley