"old" versus "new" Chris Rea's style
Posted: 12 Dec 2005, 22:43
Hello,
In my opinion, there isn't that much difference between the "old" versus "new" Chris Rea's style, except that now he plays more mature, sublime and better refined music, if you will. A sort of music delivered straight from his heart and soul. Being in the limelight for almost 30 years has helped him better understand the aura. The blues was always in his blood. It was flowing all right, but it hat to be re-directed towards one goal: the blues pure.
His songs on the eleven CD albums are scattered around and one has to choose carefully his/her best according to his/her likings. Some of them, namely: "The American Way", "Angellina", "Steam Train Blues" or "Head Out on the Highway" just beg to be longer. They all should have a different ending, the faded away ending, going down gradually and with Chris's guitar playing on and on....
The "old" pieces were only partially blues (long solos, etc.) and "camouflaged blues", since his record company's executives constantly knew better than him. Chris realized this a long time ago and he knew that one day he would have to part with them to play only the kind of music he always wanted.
As far as his plans to be a part of the three member band, the Fire Flies, well I have my doubts whether it will work fine for him. Chris is very much an individualist and perfectionist. He must dominate with his voice and (yes!) his kind of music. Only he knows what kind of message he wants to get across. Being merely a member of the band he will not have a privilege to lead. Unless, he is tired of it all and wants to take a back seat, if only for a while, so to speak.
Best regards to everyone,
Chris
In my opinion, there isn't that much difference between the "old" versus "new" Chris Rea's style, except that now he plays more mature, sublime and better refined music, if you will. A sort of music delivered straight from his heart and soul. Being in the limelight for almost 30 years has helped him better understand the aura. The blues was always in his blood. It was flowing all right, but it hat to be re-directed towards one goal: the blues pure.
His songs on the eleven CD albums are scattered around and one has to choose carefully his/her best according to his/her likings. Some of them, namely: "The American Way", "Angellina", "Steam Train Blues" or "Head Out on the Highway" just beg to be longer. They all should have a different ending, the faded away ending, going down gradually and with Chris's guitar playing on and on....
The "old" pieces were only partially blues (long solos, etc.) and "camouflaged blues", since his record company's executives constantly knew better than him. Chris realized this a long time ago and he knew that one day he would have to part with them to play only the kind of music he always wanted.
As far as his plans to be a part of the three member band, the Fire Flies, well I have my doubts whether it will work fine for him. Chris is very much an individualist and perfectionist. He must dominate with his voice and (yes!) his kind of music. Only he knows what kind of message he wants to get across. Being merely a member of the band he will not have a privilege to lead. Unless, he is tired of it all and wants to take a back seat, if only for a while, so to speak.
Best regards to everyone,
Chris