The Gift
Album of the week  ·  traditional  THE GIFT/Corrinne May  Pink Armchair  ***  THE odds are frankly stacked against her.  She does not have the cute pop packaging of Stefanie Sun nor the febrile quote-worthiness of Tanya Chua, yet Corrinne May has become one of Singapore's most celebrated artistes without much hype.  Such is her appeal, the Los Angeles-based musician sells out gigs whenever she returns home.  Why? I'm no hardcore fan but listening to her third and latest album, The Gift, one gets her special allure.  It's that pristine presence of hers; an unadulterated generosity of spirit that permeates her songs and disarms the most hardened of souls.  Even hipsters who prefer cool street acts might think twice before dismissing her caramel pop souffle.  For her third album, a Christimas CD titled The Gift, she presents nine carols and two originals all delivered with unflappable, down-home cool.  Remember Scrooged, that Bill Murray vehicle in which the actor experienced visitations by ghosts of Christmas past? This would make a perfect soundtrack to be played in the background as the lead got a reality check.  Indeed, the whole effect is to calm and lull you into heavenly bliss as the singer pours her caramel love over a seamless braiding of piano, guitar and almost-there percussion.  Her magic is how she makes everything - from classics like Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful to an original Hail Mary (with music put to words from the Gospel of Luke and a traditional prayer) - sound incredibly intimate.  In short, she is what you may call the Asian Amy Grant of lush pop, a contemporary Christian chanteuse who makes you feel good, and think good thoughts, too. --The Straits Times