Customer Reviews

Spanish Train & Other Stories

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It is so rare to find an album where one can imagine that everysingle track has the potential to top the charts. Each of the tentracks tells its own story, with really interesting and intelligent lyrics, pure, raw and yet sublime vocals, and the minimum of production. The tracks range from very humorous, such as "Patricia The Stripper" and "The Painter", to Hans Christian Andersen-like sad fables such as "Spanish Train" and "The Tower", to the heartwrenching "Lonely Sky". Be warned however, this album cannot be played as "background music" - it demands, and gets, your full attention in terms of lyrics and music - this is more of a musical storybook. This album should be a centrepiece of your music collection. Go and get it. Those of you new to Chris de Burgh, should expect male vocal folk rock from this album. His more recent efforts are more along the adult contemporary and pop lines. This album is definitely the place to begin. Otherwise, take a look at his greatest hits collection.

I first heard A Spaceman Came Travelling on WXRT (an alternative rock station) in Chicago in 1977 or thereabouts. The song was so good, I special ordered the album because it couldn't be found anywhere. When I got the album and heard it, and my friends heard it, we special ordered 25 copies because everyone, EVERYONE, who heard it wanted one. This included people with a broad range of musical tastes: lovers of Cream, Hot Tuna, Little Feat, Jefferson Airplane, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Rick Wakeman, Moody Blues, Fleetwood Mac, Gary Wright, Aerosmith, Elvis Costello, Blondie, Tom Petty, R&B ... everyone appreciated this album. Although a totally different flavor, the very, very, unique style and lyrics, and storytelling make the album rate with The White Album, Led Zeppelin IV, Days of Future Past, Disraeli Gears, Rumors, Volunteers, and any other classic album you can name. Buy this album.

Eleven years before his 1986 million-seller "The Lady In Red" both created his fame and destroyed his credibility, Chris De Burgh was making quality music for discerning listeners on this, his superb second album.

The thundering opener, "Spanish Train" is an epic, soaring ballad based on a possible meeting on the Lord and Satan - this created De Burgh's first controversy, as in some parts of the world, this theme caused the song to be banned, and instead the album had to be named after the second track "Lonely Sky" - a great contrast to the opener, an emotional, heart-wrenching ballad.

The next two tracks provide stark contrast again - "This Song For You" is a tear-jerking poem about a soldier fighting in the First World War in 1917, claiming optimism and heroics but at the same time wondering if he will ever get home to see his beloved wife again. This is follwed by the hilarious "Patricia the Stripper" with it's surreal opening line 'Dennis is a menace with his anyone for tennis'.

The undoubted hightlight of the album, however, is the unforgettable "A Spaceman Came Travelling" - a space-age take on the Nativity, which gave De Burgh his first airplay on the Radio, and indeed continued to be played heavily each December until the early 1990s, and even now is still featured on most Christmas compilations.

Absolutely faultless - I defy anyone to listen to this record and not find at least one song that pulls on their emotional strings. Living proof that the underrated ones are often the ones that do it the best.

I was living in London in the late 70s and attended a Supertramp concert and Chris de Burgh was the backup group. I had never heard of him and I was in awe as everyone in the entire arena sang each song. I couldn't believe that here was this artist I had never heard of, that had this tremendous following. I bought Spanish Train & Other Stories the next day and have been a devoted fan ever since.

I AM ONLY A TEENAGE GIRL AND MY FATHER HAS HAD ME LISTENING TO THIS ALBUM FOR YEARS.. ONCE THE RECORD PLAYER QUIT... THERE IT WENT. WE COULDN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE IN AMERICA FOR A DECENT PRICE. BUT NOW I GOT IT! THIS IS DEFINITLY ONE OF THE BEST MUSICIANS OF ALL TIME. EVEN FOR MY ERA!

From the title track opener, through to the humorous "Patricia The Stripper", and onto the very last song, this album is pure brilliance.

Chris De Burgh is not everyone's taste but if you like anything that he has recorded, then this is a must. Rather than be remembered for the soppy "Lady In Red", this is really what Chris De Burgh is all about. Lovely tunes with incredibly talented and thoughtful lyrics.

There is quite a bit of religion coming through, but if a confirmed Agnostic such as me can ignore that then so can you. What is important is the story! No taking your baby out on a Saturday night here!

The highlight is the title track, a song about the battle for a dying soul between God and the Devil. They play cards to see who wins it!!! The moody music accompanies the intelligent lyrics - Close your eyes and you're there.

If you're a fan, you've already got this, but if you liked one of the greatest hits compilations and want to do a bit more experimenting - THIS IS THE ALBUM TO BUY!!! SUPERB.

I was first turned onto DeBurgh's work by my older brother who was discerning his musical taste half a decade before I was. Chris DeBurgh is most known for his soundtrack score to "Lady In Red" which in someways made and destroyed his chances for exposure. Spanish Train remains to be one of my favourite selections in his collection and my entire library. This album has no traces of that sappy 80's ballad which has become notorious. Spanish Train and other stories is filled with songs that are thought provoking, heart wrenching and fun. An eclectic collection of emotions and a must have for any Chris DeBurgh fan or a fan of "just plain good music".

Chris De Burgh is a gifted musician. He entertains you through his music while at the same time makes you contemplate religious issues that most of us think about but never verbalize.

I am a real fan of him. I have every recording that he made. But even now I can not imagine how he could managed two albums within same year.(in 1975 he released Far Beyon These Castle Wals and this one) Though first one was far away from being succesfull, this one is his best. Listen it one million times. You wil never get bored, vice versa you will love it day by day.

Like all the other reviewers I too was blown away by this album. I came to Chris via his Best Moves album and it was if someone switched a light on in my head. I played it over and over again, listening to and trying to visualise the lyrics. My highlights for a few years after that was to buy and play all the albums that went in to making this album, I loved them all. Every album I bought meant something special to me. I was initially happy for Chris that Lady in Red did so well but the song in no way reflected the artist that he was. I was infuriated by the music press when they proceeded to try and bring Chris down by writing sneering articles about his songs and private life. I do think it all had a negative effect on him as his writing has suffered since because of it. My wish is for Chris to return to his roots and write another classic like 'Spanish Train' just to prove to those who believe Lady in Red was the epitome of Chris's music. Johnny Cash amongst others did it with his American Anthology and I know in my heart of hearts Chris has many good songs in him waiting to come out. Also his following is a sleeping giant just waiting to sing his praises again. Come on Chris dont give up the ghost. show them the troubadour that you really are.