Customer Reviews

Very Best of

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Chris Rea is a UK singer/songwriter/guitarist with a beautiful gravelly, nasal, emotion laden voice. This is a wonderful collection of his hits dating from 1978 (the beautiful midtempo `Fool if you think it's over' a US #12 hit) to 2001.

His style is more like a blues/folk/rock hybrid, much like Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler. Very calm with subtle Caribbean, and even jazz influences.

Contained here are songs like the gorgeous summery `On the beach' (which became a huge UK hit when re-released in 1986), the sweeping epic ballad `Tell me there's a Heaven' (a touching tale of reassurance to his kids), `All summer long', `The blue Café', the stunning `Driving home for Christmas' (suitable for play all year round), the blues tinged ballad `Nothing to fear' with a beautiful weeping guitar lick, the classical tinged `Saudade Part 1 & 2, and the upbeat rock of `The road to hell (Part 2), a UK top 10 hit about the sorry state of the world, and featuring some great slide guitar.

All lyrics to the songs are contained in the CD booklet, something rare in a greatest hits/best of collection. In my opinion, there are lots of great songs that didn't make this CD; `Looking for the summer', `I just wanna be with you', `You must be evil' to name a few. Still, a stellar collection.

This is a great introduction to the music and soothing voice of Chris Rea. I also recommend the masterpiece `The road to hell'.

If you expect to find the original version of "Fool If You Think It's Over" on this CD, you will not get it... You will find it on "Hard To Find 45s on CD Volume 8 Seventies Pop Classics"...

I was introduced to Chris Rea by a friend with "The Road to Hell" cassette (no cds back then)..probably around 1995..loved "Texas" and couldn't figure out why others hadn't discovered Mr. Rea. I forgot about that music over the years, but the other night while watching the intro to a new tv series, I could've sworn the song had Chris Rea singing. Afterwards, I watched the credits to no avail, went onto the Amazon site and did some searching around; ordered "Road to Hell" cd. When i received the cd, i listened to it intently and decided i needed more of his music. I ordered the Very Best of Chris Rea from Amazon...and I've had it about 2 weeks. I fall more in love with it the more I listen to it. Do yourself a favor and buy it for yourself. Heck, buy it for any of your relatives or friends who you owe a present to. This is music for the ages and you shouldn't pass it by. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to be able to recommend a superior cd or movie to someone. Enjoy!

I was slightly aware of Chris Rea from occassional airplay/videaos, but only really heard a lot of his music on my XM, the XM Cafe channel in particular. I enjoyed it enough to actually BUY his CD. This album is an excellent sampling of his work over the years, with much variety. Bluesy rock tunes, nice ballads, etc. I particularily like his vocal delivery compbined with some very nice guitar work. I think that comparisons with the style and content of Leonard Cohen can be made, only Chris is more musical, in my opinion. Or maybe I just like the small night club groove with the wonderful Strat guitar rythyms. I used my free Pepsi iTunes winner to get another song I liked that isn't on this album, "Looking for the Summer".

I was slightly aware of Chris Rea from occassional airplay/videaos, but only really heard a lot of his music on my XM, the XM Cafe channel in particular. I enjoyed it enough to actually BUY his CD. This album is an excellent sampling of his work over the years, with much variety. Bluesy rock tunes, nice ballads, etc. I particularily like his vocal delivery compbined with some very nice guitar work. I think that comparisons with the style and content of Leonard Cohen can be made, only Chris is more musical, in my opinion. Or maybe I just like the small night club groove with the wonderful Strat guitar rythyms. I used my free Pepsi iTunes winner to get another song I liked that isn't on this album, "Looking for the Summer".

I first became acquainted with the music of Chris Rea while living in England during the mid-1980's. The voice reminded me of Bruce Springsteen but the songs were more mellow and jazzy. Like Dylan, Warren Zevon and even Springsteen himself, Rea's is not a beautiful voice but his range works perfectly for the songs he sings and especially the hits on this album. The voice has become more raspy over the years but these are still great songs sung by the only man who has the soul to really show them off. I'm surprised he hasn't picked up a bigger following in the U.S. over the years. For the long-time fan or the uninitiated, this album is a great place to start.

Chris Rea is a wonderful artist. While his music may not be for everybody, if you like the music and melodies of the Moody Blues or The Alan Parsons Project, you will enjoy the music of Chris Rea.

This CD is Great,Great,Great! After years of not hearing this awesome performer......I am glad to have this CD. "Driving Home For Christmas" is now my favorite Holiday song. I Love "On The Beach" and "Fool If You Think It's Over" from the seventy's. All of the songs are very well done and to me not a bad one can be found here. His voice is very "sexy". This guy has many musical talents. I want more of his work!!!!!

Brilliant CD!!! Nice sit back and relax kind of music!!! One of few CD's you can put into the CD player and let the whole CD play through!!!