人人有本用

Chris Rea is a big star in Europe but practically unknown in the U.S., which is perhaps why his appearance on Elton John's "Duets" album surprised no one over 'there' but everyone over 'here.' Most of his albums are suave 'n' roots, like a Bryan Ferry version of Dire Straits, except that Rea has a gravelly voice (not unlike Waylon Jennings) and plays lots of bottleneck slide guitar (a la Muddy Waters and Blind Willie Johnson). There's been a progression in his songwriting and performing, in my opinion, from his most contemporary-radio material (1979-1984) to his mature, memorable material (1985 on). The watershed album is "Shamrock Diaries" (1985), in which he connected with (maybe even established) his roots in rock, blues, and soul.

"Dancing Down the Stony Road" is a remarkable record by most standards, perhaps even those of classic blues. These are songs of pain, performed with a great deal of expression -- true blue blues. He voices the agony and the love of life and music he experienced while recovering from a potentially terminal illness. It's his first blues album (and deserves W.C. Handy Awards for every "crossover" category), but it sounds like he's been playing blues all his life.


[mp3]ftp://music.nbuser.net/jmh/Caler/Chris Rea -- Stony Road[/mp3]
Track Listings
Disc: 1
1. Easy Rider   点击下载    
2. Stony Road     点击下载  
3. Dancing the Blues Away        
4. Catfish Girl        
5. Burning Feet        
6. Slow Dance   点击下载    
7. Segway        
8. Mississippi        
9. So Lonely        
10. Heading for the City        
Disc: 2
1. Ride On        
2. When the Good Lord Talked to Jesus   点击下载    
3. Qualified        
4. Sun Is Rising        
5. Someday My Peace Will Come  点击下载      
6. Got to Be Moving On        
7. Ain't Going Down This Way        
8. Changing Times     点击下载  
9. Hustler   点击下载    
10. Give That Girl a Diamond