Chris wrote:
Hi Chris Hmm... is Candles the song Chris wrote after he visited Poland and he asked his interpeter was there anything he could do for her and she said 'yes light me a candle' or do I stand corrected? You can never write too much the more the better...Yes it should be offered in ALL formats but we all know how C.R feels about his music and he wants perfection in all senses so he will do as he sees fit I persume.Look there is a way to change from vinal to computer.How was it done for the likes of Elvis, Frank Santara or Bing Crosby?.Their CD's are available and they came from a time when digital was just a dream. Does C.R care what the fans... I don't know sometimes I think it's a case of C.R. knows best and we as fans either like it or not.Or am I been to critical?Take care Chris
Tina[/quote]
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Good Morning Tina,
Yes, exactly, that's the story behind this song. For us (I think), when we say (casually or seriously as it sounds) "(you can) light a candle for me", it's both: serious and deadly emotional at the same time. Especially, when we visit cemeteries on All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day to light candles...
That's why, I think Chris stroke a right note when he wrote this particular song. I wrote about it several times, therefore I don't want to repeat myself.
And you know something?, it's good that people interpret this song, "Candles", the way they want to, because it's also a beautiful love song for everyone.
Chris says quite frequently "I'm not a saint", but deep inside he is very emotional and admits that he reacts emotionally ("I cried after listening to a song", he misses (more and more) his older daughter Josephine, who grew up and left home....) This only says something: he is all right flesh and blood loaded with feelings. That's important. He is not just another hoopla artist, a Spy Girls-type, another hybrid with meaningless words and melodies.
I've been listening last night, once again, to Bob Harris's show and in particular to the 'live' (yet another) version of "'Til the Morning (Sun Shines On My Love and Me"), and I think the more CR sings this particular song, the more emotional (in it) he gets. Chris's slide solo was brilliant as he performed 'live' in the BBC3 studio. His guitar actually cried in it....
As far as vinyl vs. digital recordings, I think Chris still depends on fans like us. After all, when he will produce a new collection, he will count on selling it, too. With the three vinyl-only projects he just might lose some support. I simply don't think it's necessary for him to provoke some of us, to test our loyalty, to determine to what limits we would be willing to go.
Take care,
Chris[/quote]
Good Morning Chris,Yes Candles is truely an amazing song.Every time I listen to it I think as to how that song came to be.I always light candles wheather it's to think of someone who has died but also for the living.C.R seems to be a religious person and also a very caring person.I don't know of another singer who sings about what is most precious to them and the people he loves.Christmas Day last year I received Blue Guitars as a christmas gift and the 1st CD I listen to was the Celtic and Irish Blues and that is my all time favourate song of that CD.It does get better and better as he sings it.If Chris is testing our loyality to him I think we would all pass.I don't know any fan who would not get the 3 vinals and then find some way to listen to them.As Mr Blues said earlier he will find an MP3 format and others would do the same.I know I will only take out my turn table as a last resort.If Chris Rea was anything like the Spice Girls or others he would not be still around now.As I say to my lot when they ask me what do I think of such bands is lets see how long they last and none of them last any length of time and that speaks for its self.Chris is still here after 20 years or more and that proves that he is a master.Take care Chris
Tina
Pick up the pieces and start again.