Customer Reviews

Far Beyond These Castle Walls

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Early Chris de Burgh is very different than his late 1980s and 1990s albums, where he has generally espoused a heavily produced and synthesized adult-contemporary sound. His songwriting has remained strong and his voice beguiling, but the arrangements have often lacked originality.

In the 1970s, however, de Burgh presented himself as a true bard and balladeer. He was a storyteller, and his songs acoustic and/or orchestral, with the occasional rock number thrown in. The strongest of his first five albums are the second (Spanish Train and Other Stories) and the fourth (Crusader), but the others are by no means throwaways.

"Far Beyond These Castle Walls," unavailable as a U.S. release, is Chris de Burgh's debut, with all that implies. He is still very much finding his voice, with his stories and love songs presented in a variety of styles. (Even country/western!) None of the songs are absolutely essential or unforgettable (the one that comes closest, "Satin Green Shutters," is also available on the compilation "Best Moves"), but, with his timeless archetypes and lovely atmospherics, de Burgh is a master of evoking moods. The album is consistently enjoyable despite its unevenness.

If you are unfamiliar with de Burgh, the best comparison for this album is to the quieter tracks on Elton John's first few records, particularly the self-titled one. It's no accident, in fact--the producer/engineer of "Far Beyond These Castle Walls," Robin Geoffrey Cable, was also the engineer on those Elton John records.

If you just need to unwind and listen to music that will make you feel good. All of DeBurgh's albums are worth it. This one works especially well because of his great voice and story telling songs. The only thing better than DeBurgh albums are DeBurgh concerts and when he sings songs from this album the crowd goes nuts. Can't miss here.

Was given a copy of this on tape some 10 years ago only to have it stolen from my car shortly after. The music has always stayed in my head but I've never been able to track down the recordings until now! What a great treat to hear these songs again and now on CD. Nice to know that I haven't forgotten any of the music. I think Chris De Burgh is a great artist. I look forward to ordering more of his music.

I can remember when I first purchased the Getaway, The album was so appealing to me that I began a search for Chris's past recordings. I came upon an album entitled "The end of a perfect day". Man was I impressed, blue rider had an insane impression on me. Further I searched and was blessed with Far beyond these castle walls. One spin of the vinyl and I was hooked. With a hint of intense melancoly "The Key" ran shivers up and down my spine and I knew that I had found a whole new passion for music. Chris, thanks for touching my heart in the way that you did. The song "For Rosanna"(into the light) is my favorite as it expresses the true feelings of a heart in love with all life and nothing is more powerful than that.

After listening to "Into the Light" and "flying Colours", I began a search for more music by Chris De Burgh. Although the music differs somewhat in sound from his newer albums, from the moment I heard Hold On I knew I would enjoy this album. My favorite is probably Windy Night. But all of them are good respectively. I must say I found it interesting how he was able to blend alittle of each song on the album onto the lyrics of the end song, Goodnight. I also can't help but wonder if a lyric from Satin Green Shutters didn't inspire a later song of his, Forevermore. Whatever the case this is a wonderful piece for any true CDB fan

My introduction to Chris came about like this. A wet Sunday afternoon in Glasgow, to see Supertramp. Concert starts over an hour late, with the crowd kept waiting outside in the rain and cold. Remember this is a Glasgow audience, harsh critics at the best of times. Imagine it; we're finally in our seats, cold and wet through, when the 'support act' appears. It's only a guy with a guitar, dredged up from a bargain bin somewhere: you can sense the crowd lick its lips: he's dead meat already. He sings his first song, after which there's almost complete silence, broken only be a few ragged handclaps. Midway through his second number my pal and I exchange looks, then smiles: this guy is GOOD! By the third number in, the applause is ringing round the venue, as we recognise the quality and range in his voice, as he effortlessly spans octaves, and delivers beguiling tales about 'the key', 'satin green shutters' and a 'spanish train'. By the end, management insist he come off after three encores, and Chris apologises, telling us Supertramp have insisted. We boo Supertramp for their first few numbers. But what about the album I hear you say?
Just this: some glorious songs, overflowing with swooping melodies, and the big themes of love, loss and death, and romantic to the core: 'Hold on', an aching paen to lonliness, 'Windy Night' a universal tale of death and redemption, 'The Key' a ballad of love and loss, and 'Satin Green Shutters', the ultimate love song. Both 'Watching the World' and 'Turning Round' ask you to grab a more uptempo glass with the man. These alone are easily worth five stars, but for songs like 'Sin City' which sits awkwardly with these classics, and an album which feels over-produced compared to the stripped-down genius of the man, unadorned. A far better and more intense album than his later increasingly bland offerings, though you won't go wrong with the first few albums after this.

One of Chris DeBurgh's best. "Satin Green Shutters" stands out as a love poem for the ages. Timeless.

I enjoyed this disc, but there are several CD CDs I enjoy a lot more. This is a mediocre effort.

This is another of his great albums, just rounding into form, it's not as polished as his next two albums. Still it gets 5 stars from me. His first 5 albums are fantastic and this one is right there as one of his best.

I am one of his best fans. I have all of his albums. His latest works and his first album (this one) is very different from his classical works.

Anyway, there are some songs that I really like. Firstly "Windy Night", it's excellent. S.Green Shutters is really good, The Key is different but really appeals to me. If you are one of his fans, No Way, You HAVE TO get this one.