SINGLE REVIEW: ROBERT VINCENT & ANNA CORCORAN - GO YOUR OWN WAY / DON'T DREAM IT'S OVER

Possibly making an unlikely early bid for the John Lewis Christmas ad are Robert Vincent and Anna Corcoran with a couple of stripped back versions of modern classics. In all seriousness, in recent months all roads seem to lead back to Robert Vincent, whether it be Katie Nicholas, Kimmie Rhodes even Maddie McWarren, all seem to have come into Robert's orbit - let alone his rather splendid appearance with Kezia and Hannah White at Basingstoke or indeed the exceptional performance at Long Road, which unless you were early in on Friday and had made your way to Buddy's Good Time Bar, you'll have probably missed it, where Robert and Anna Corcoran set down a marker of excellence for the weekend that few would meet. All of which brings us nicely back to these two singles, which slow things down and by only using the most minimal of backing, a piano and an acoustic guitar, shine light on to the lyrics within.

By sticking to the #TEAMw21 mantra of keeping it simple, they have produced two little gems, that won't replace the originals, but can happily sit beside them . "Don't Dream It's Over" sees Anna gently striking the keys, suggesting the framework of the tune, while Robert does likewise on his guitar. The magic occurs on the chorus where their vocals combine to make the sweetest of sounds.

If we're totally honest the lyrics to "Go Your Own Way" have always slightly eluded us - so while the exuberant chorus is a given and the opening line of

"Loving you

Isn't the right thing to do"

is quite clear, the rest has always been a bit of a blur despite having heard it zillions of times. Well Anna and Robert hereby provide a public service by really bringing things to life and explaining why it is the classic that it is.

Once again, Anna offers us the merest outline of the tune and singing together, the inner sadness of the tune is revealed in a way that the joyously upbeat full band version does not make so clear. The angst in that opening verse is palpable,

"How can I ever change things

That I feel?

If I could

Baby, I'd give you my world

How can I

When you won't take it from me?"

The later verses which really convey that sense of hurt and confusion are perfectly imagined here.

"Tell me why

Everything turned around

Packing up

Shacking up is all you want to do

If I could

Baby, I'd give you my world

Open up

Everything's waiting for you"

Together they make for 9 minutes of perfect peace and tranquility in a world where such moments are increasingly rare, turn down the lights, turn up the volume, grab a glass of something and just sit and relax in the sheer beauty of these two recordings.