His finest work?
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This is a wonderful project that Rea has worked on and so utterly compelling. The whole set is very listenable but thought-provoking whatever your mood and wherever you are and whatever you are doing.
It is worth taking time out just to explore the quality of the packaging, pictures and photography which so beautifully evoke the era that the music represents before you lose yourself in the music. As soon as you have done that, you will realize with intrepidation and excitement that this 3CD set is a fine addition to the collection of any self-respecting music lover and is a necessity for any Rea fan.
Following fairly soon after the Magnus Opus 'Blue Guitars' in 2005 (less effective, overall, than this, in my opinion) one might have some reservations about how good this new project could be. Fret not. It is perhaps his finest work. For me, at least, it's certainly up with Chris' best releases and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The first CD consists of 16 short guitar-led instrumentals which represent the 50s era during which Rea's fictional band 'The Delmonts' were founded. The tracks can be compared perhaps with The Shadows. The story continues with 'The Delmonts' dispanding and most of the band members re-forming to become 'The Hofner Bluenotes' who take us through the sixties throughout CDs 2 and 3. The musicianship is superb, not over-produced, and Rea's guitar playing is, of course, outstanding. From the menacing beat of 'I can't wait for love; at the start of CD2, the powerful and satisfying 'Legacy Blues' to the gorgeous 'Meet Me On a Mountain'on CD3, this is pure listening pleasure of the highest calibre from a brilliantly talented musician.
I am a relative new-comer to Rea's work and I have been catching up on what I've been missing. I saw him live in Plymouth in March and I was blown away by this man, by his guitar playing and by his performance. Even my wife, who is not as 'into' music as I am, loved it.
I can't wait to see what he does next.
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Too Self Indulgent
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I must admit to being surprised at another "big project" so soon after Blue Guitars; I hope this isn't going to be the pattern for the future. The vinyl albums and 80 page book are very nice but I didn't want them and would have much preferred a CD only offering. I have been a fan of Rea since he first started and am the proud owner of every release (even the poor The Road To Hell Pt 2) and being from Middlesbrough myself I was also proud that one of our own was doing well. I am waffling I know and it is probably because I am not going to give a particularly good review and it's hurting a bit. The Return of the Fabulous Hofner Blue Notes is too self indulgent for my liking, the instrumental Delmonts CD (CD1) is competent but you can hear similar music from the Shadows cover bands that ply their trade in the working men's clubs in my native northeast. The two Hofner Blue Notes CDs are quite forgettable especially CD2 which has several overtly political anti-Bush/Blair tracks, well I am sorry Chris I don't buy music to listen to politics even if I do agree with some of your sentiments. If you persist down this line you will lose this long-time fan; give me love, life, tears, laughter, heartache, happiness but NOT politics. In my opinion this project would have better distilled down to the best 10 tracks from the Hofner Blue Notes CDs (most of CD3) and released as less self-indulgent and more affordable album.
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PURE MAGIC
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We received our Boxed Set yesterday morning,and last night went to see Chris Rea & The Hofner Blue Notes at Newcastle City Hall. The MUSIC was FANTASTIC.The more you hear this album the better it gets.The cover on the boxset is so authentic,all that is missing is a teacup stain.
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retro brilliance
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For us old blokes the packaging is part of the whole,digital downloads just don't do it! The music is outstanding,guitar playing as good as ever. Buy it now!!!
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Pure Class
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I have just received the latest offering from Mr Rea, it is a stunning CD set, full of great songs which the more you listen to them the better they get. I have been a fan since 1986 seen him in concert many times and have all his CD's, this latest addition has bulit on his last masterpiece Blue Guitars he is without question a great songwriter and blues guitarist Pure Class.
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