Customer Reviews

On the Beach

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unlike most albums released in the mid 80's, this one is not dated. It it the perfect anytime album. The soft soothing music is a perfect fit for Chris Rea and his unique vocal presentation. It is also the best of all the Chris Rea albums. (so far) The song "Giverny" is a great catchy song, but my favorite is still "Just passing through". Simply lovely! I bought this CD for my dad for father's day a few years back and it remains one of his favorite albums in recent times. I have searched Chris Rea's entire catalog for another gem like this one. All of his albums contain a few gems (sans Tennis; what was he thinking?) But this CD is loaded with great songs.

I came to this album late -- a girlfriend introduced me to it -- and I know next to nothing about Rea himself. But that in a way helps, because this album stands on its own as a magnificent piece of mood music, a slightly plaintive ode to holidays and loves of the past. In different hands, this could have been simple lightweight pop music, but the whole packaging of the album, from the lapping surf on the opening track, to the visual design of the cover, gives it a wonderful atmosphere.

The standard of musicianship is high: Dave Mattacks played drums on the Joan Armatrading album, and Max Middleton did the keyboards on the very heavy 'Blow by Blow' of Jeff Beck. Rea himself has a catarrhal voice which, while not quite possessing the gravelly nature of Tom Waits's, often sounds as if he is just recovering from something seriously bronchial.

Many of the tunes here are great. The only ones that seem possibly out of place are the upbeat ones which disturb the mellow sunbathing mood. Rea has always been wielding a guitar whenever I've seen him on TV, but with many of the tunes,I cannot tell whether they were originally written on guitar or keyboard. Rea has himself re-recorded the track 'On the Beach' several times, but the version on this album -- the first -- is by far the best and much more subtle.

This CD is the mellower side of Chris Rea, and may surprise you at first if you're used to his more rocking music (a la "Road to Hell" and "Dancing With Strangers"), but it is a gem. Originally released in 1986, this is what I would consider the CD that began to display Rea's real talents in songwriting, musicianship and mood setting. Very smooth, and excellent from start to finish.

This is one of THE most wonderful CD's I have ever had the good fortune of listening to. I purchased this CD originally in 1990 and subsequently lost it to my ex in our divorce. I thought so much of this CD that I purchased it on my own - and I STILL love the music. Chris Rea has a unique, sexy quality to his voice that cannot be adequately described. You MUST listen to experience!

If you are a Chris Rea fan or wish to know his music - this is the album. And of course the commercial success of Road to hell is another. But this is the album which gets you rooted and does take you beyond the beach with or without her...

I've attempted to give five stars to 'Shamrock Diaries' so I can't really give the same to 'On The Beach' despite it being stylistically similar to its predecessor, and nearly as good. Really, a very, very good album with only a few clunkers. Great melodies, great atmosphere.

I'd heard about Chris Rea off and on through the years and apart from a few songs, knew next to nothing about his output. Come 2006, I find myself engrossed in this artist and his entire body of work. Sadly, I doubt I will ever get to see him perform live here in the states.

I get drawn into this album more and more with each subsequent listen. The only song I don't really care for is "Crack that mould", but apart from that it is a winner. A very atmospheric and relaxing album to my ears. I enjoy listening to this one on the way to work in the morning too. A solid and consistent release that rates close to the top of Rea output! If you have any Chris Rea, you should add this to your collection.

I purchased this CD to replace one that was stolen. I hope that at least the thief became a Chris Rea fan if he wasn't one already. Like many of Chris' albums, most of the songs in this selection can be heard on other CDs, but there's something about this particular CD that keeps me coming back to it. On The Beach sets a nice opening feel for the set and kind of flows into Little Blonde Plaits. The tempo begins to pick up in Giverny and Lucky Day has a light Caribbean feel to it like On The Beach and has you smiling by the end. Just Passing Through is introspective and then It's All Gone picks up the beat again and ends too quickly despite being a relatively long song. It's another song that makes me smile with some nice short guitar licks and keyboards. Hello Friend, Two Roads and Light of Hope are all about relationships, all mellow and all with a different feel. Auf Immer Und Ewig was the title song for a movie of the same name and does have a cinematic feel to it. Freeway is one of my favorites. Chris plays some beautiful slide guitar on the instrumental Bless Them All and the end comes with a crack in Crack That Mould. Overall the album has a mellow feel. Mr. Rea seems to have a good feel for the transience of life and the message is not depressing but that we should enjoy life and each other while we can. If you're new to Chris Rea this would be a good album to start with.

CHRIS REA - What a great talent, he doesn't scream, doesn't strain, delivers every song, wonderful composer, singer, musician. He should be #1 on the charts for many of his songs. I try to say which is the best but they all are and I am 75 years old and he touches my heart. I have introduced many people to the wonders of this fellow and the comments are unanimous "Where Is He Performing in th USA". Most of all he doesn't have an attitude it is obvious that he just loves what he does and he does it so well. Saw him on Letterman few years back doing "Road To Hell" now that should be a #1 Hit in these times it is so TRUE. On The Beach transports all of us to days gone by, man woman boy or girl. Superb One of a Kind.

I assume that this is the first version Chris Rea did of the song On The Beach. Problem is, this version doesn't have the cool guitar lick that the I've heard on the radio. You can hear the hook played by the keyboard but he only hints at this melodic line. Without that guitar line it's just not as cool.