Story Man [Import]

Chris De Burgh | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 6, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Edel Europe
• ASIN: B000GIN4VI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #250,899 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Storyman Theme

2. One World

3. Leningrad

4. My Father's Eyes

5. The Grace of a Dancer

6. Spirit

7. The Shadow of the Mountain

8. Raging Storm

9. The Mirror of the Soul

10. The Sweetest Kiss of All

11. The Storyman

12. My Father's Eyes (Ft Hani Hussein)

Editorial Reviews

2006 album from the British singer/songwriter, best known for the worldwide hit 'The Lady In Red'. The 12 tracks here add an International flavor to de Burgh's pop songs and feature guest performances from the London Russian Choir, Egyptian vocalist Hani Hussein, The Mahotella Queens and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Features the single 'One World'. Edel. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Astounding album from the brilliant Chris De Burgh, February 9, 2007

By 

Alan J. Martin (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Story Man (Audio CD)

Throughout his musical career, Chris De Burgh has offered albums filled with beautiful, creative and imaginative songs. The Storyman carries this idea to its zenith with a collection of incredible tracks.

"One World" is the perfect expression of spiritual and secular equality. Performed and sung beautifully, it is one of De Burgh's finest moments. The heart wrenching "The Shadow Of The Mountain" and uplifting "Raging Storm" are both utterly beautiful. "The Sweetest Kiss Of All" is a touching love song with a fantastic melody. "The Mirror Of The Soul" is classic storytelling in musical form while "The Storyman" is a synopsis of all that is De Burgh and his career in one song.

The album, as a collection, is complete, cohesive and well recorded. Each track stands as an example of the best in songwriting from practically any artist in popular music.

I am personally devastated by the power and beauty of this album. Chris De Burgh has impressed me once again. It's an incredible musical accomplishment.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars High on emotion., December 7, 2006

By 

Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Story Man (Audio CD)

I have been listening to Chris De Burgh since 1982 when he released his excellent "The Getaway" album. I have since bought all of his studio albums. I have been waiting for some time for Chris to return to his storytelling roots, something he's been avoiding for over a decade if you asked me. Storytelling is what he does best, and it's one of his defining features as an artist.

"The Storyman" reaffirms the best in Chris De Burgh. After repeated listening all of the details in songcraft revealed themselves. On this album he utilizes choirs and orchestras to great effect. He even does two duets for the first time with "Raging Storm" and "My Father's Eyes". "The Storyman" is one of De Burgh's most diverse works and easily outshines all of his recent albums like "The Road To Freedom" (which was a slight return to form), "Timing Is Everything" and "Quiet Revolution".

De Burgh wrote eleven stories spanning different parts of the globe and dealing with several different themes. He offers a lyric book and a story book. In the story book he gives details surrounding each song's setting. I did not care for this, as I like the music to speak for itself. There are almost no wasted tracks on "The Storyman". Some of my favorites are "One World", "Leningrad", "The Grace Of A Dancer", "Spirit", "Raging Storm" and "The Storyman".

In the title track, De Burgh recounts lines from each of his most famous stories from almost all of his past albums to date. Clever, and true to form. De Burgh has established himself as an Irish Neil Diamond of sorts. "The Storyman" should be the album De Burgh fans have been waiting for since 1994's "This Way Up".

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some New Material at Last!, November 27, 2006

By 

Lunaticlulu (Arizona USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Story Man (Audio CD)

If, like other Chris de Burgh fans, you have been waiting for what seems like forever for new songs by him, here it is at last! This album definitely goes back to his "Spanish Train and other Stories" roots for most of the new material. I especially loved the songs with his duets with foreign singers (his duet with Kristyna Myles is especially beautiful) as well as the African and Middle Eastern inspired music in a few of the songs that certainly gave a new sound to his music. Just don't ask me for specifics on titles since I listen to the CD in my car and don't have time to jot down notes.

I would have given this album 5 stars because of it being new material alone, if not for a couple of things. The first song "The Storyman Theme" is actually all music and no Chris de Burgh voice. He also sings "My Father's Eyes" twice on the CD. The first alone and the second with Hani Hussein (my favorite even if I don't know what he's saying). I'd rather have had two new songs instead of a repeat in a different format and a voiceless one. There were also two songs that were pretty dull and uninspired I thought compared to the rest of the album, but you might like them so I won't say which ones.

I also liked the accompanying leaflets in the CD. One contained the words to all the songs and the other was a history behind the stories he tells in the songs. Interesting reads that give you an added perspective to his telling the stories.

Overall, though I know I am biased having loved Chris's music for almost 25 years, this is a terrific new album. Worth the money if you've been a fan as long as me.

Also, if you ever have the chance to see him in concert I highly recommend it. I saw him back in 1986 at Wembley Stadium in London and again in 2004 at Royal Albert Hall in London. The man just gets better with age! What singers do you know now a days that can entertain for over two hours with only a guitar and piano (played by him) as support, no background musicians or dancers! That takes true talent!