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NEW ALBUM: Chris Rea - Road Songs for Lovers
#1
CHRIS REA - Road Songs for Lovers

[Image: MI0004293504.jpg?partner=allrovi.com]
 
This is the 25th studio album from the charismatic yet thoroughly down to earth Chris Rea and despite his ever so slightly slurred vocals that gorgeous gritty timbre and the music remain as tantalizing, and as good as ever. I had felt trepidation about listening and was avoiding it – worrying about that voice and his enunciation – you can definitely hear that something has changed, and initially I thought it would bother me, but the magical and wonderful thing is that the enormous humanity and personality of this man, not to mention his impeccable musicianship, almost imperceptibly entices you in; after a short while, any anomalies just seem to disappear and with a sigh of relief, you slip right into the warm, comforting arms of his unique artistry.

The album is a mixture of rock and ballads, not quite as blues oriented as a lot of his recent output; my perception is that there is a plenty of breathing room – he’s not in a hurry to go places – it’s a journey, but a leisurely one. I think it's a grower and will command respect. 
 
I really hope he recovers from this latest medical setback – he’s overcome such vast odds already, but I read that he hadn’t planned this new album – that it happened sort of organically, as they sometimes do, so if it turns out that this is to be his last release, I’m exceptionally glad it’s a worthy one.
 
Rea’s favourite track from the album, and mine (on first listening) – the poignant “Last Train” … he does seem to like the choo choo’s doesn’t he? Mind you – being a wheels enthusiast, it’s hardly surprising … I quite like them too!  Smile



"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson
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#2
I posted the single "angel of love" back in October. https://www.music-discussion.com/showthr...?tid=18402

thought i'd posted the album also, but it appears I didn't...oh well!

he obviously doesn't sound like Jackson Browne, but with both artists you know exactly what youre getting and even on a bad day theyre average material is still better than the best material from other artists....a quality artist!

I own a handful of albums all superb!

i'll listen to this one this week Ruby, thanks for the nudge, thought i'd listened to this but obviously hadn't!
"BTO....Bachman,Turner,Overweight
They were big in the 70s....for five minutes,on a Saturday,after lunch..."  -  Me 2014.


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#3
^Yes - I remembered you posting the single CH. The amount of new releases is just astonishing - don't know how anyone could ever keep up! Interested to hear what you think. Some decidedly purple prose up there ^^ on my part! Lol! Blush An old favourite so keeping the faith.
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson
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#4
Too many new releases ! I definitely missed the lost chord ! My search is over !
 The ultimate connection is between a performer and its' audience!
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#5
okay Ruby, so I listened to the album, twice to be precise....
not a bad track on it at all....
love the gravel in his voice (yes it was always there to a degree, but its so prominent now)...
almost melancholy at times....
whilst listening, I couldn't help thinking of Knopfler and how he'd have loved to work on this album musically...
also hearing Cohen vocally, especially on the slower tracks...
a pretty good album, not sure how it would stack up against "on the beach" etc, maybe I should revisit it...?
but still a very good album...

my favourite track:



"BTO....Bachman,Turner,Overweight
They were big in the 70s....for five minutes,on a Saturday,after lunch..."  -  Me 2014.


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#6
^Yes – definitely calls LC to mind – that baritone has densified, quite sombre - but the guitar still speaks with a distinctly Rea voice. I think my favourite of his is Auberge but they can't compare because they're coming from completely different places and life stages. Difficult not to, I suppose, but somehow I think this will stand up on its own.
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson
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