Reviews

It is strange to think, in some way, we have a surgeon to thank for this latest release by Chris Rea. In his hospital bed, facing an operation that might very well claim his life, Rea promised himself that if he survived he would make the music that he wanted to make all along: the blues. If Rea had not pulled through that operation, ‘Blue Guitars’ would not exist.

The result is 11 CDs full of the most incredible music ever recorded by Rea; in fact, ever recorded by anyone. As Rea investigates the roots of the Blues, we travel back in time to the gritty and raw ‘If You’ve Got A Friend In Jesus’ (replete with vinyl scratches as if being played with an old cracking stylus), the crisp and electric ‘Chicago Morning’ to the 70s and 80s with the driving blues stomp that is ‘Clarkson Blues.’ In between Rea explores the Celtic blues, Latin blues, blues ballads and country blues to name just a few genres that he pays homage to on this music journey. Over the course of over 100 songs Rea demonstrates mastery of his subject matter and reveals to even the most novice blues apprentice, how the blues have developed over the decades.

But the real pleasure to be found here, is in listening to a musician who has finally come home to what he wanted all along: to simply play the blues. There are times when Rea’s words are not sufficient, and it’s in those moments when his slide guitar takes over and takes us to places that simply move us. There are times when hairs on the back of your neck stand up. For example, in ‘Big White Door’ Rea sings, “Now I find I don’t seem to care / A little closer / A little darker / ‘Till there’s nothing else more / Just the universe in shadow / Of the big, the big white door.” Every song is wrought with a dedication and a passion that can only come from someone who has faced death and come through the other side.

And so the final irony is that by seeking to follow the roots of the blues and emulate those who have gone before him, Rea ends up making a unique and valuable contribution to the story of the blues in his own right. It is a fitting finale to a career that has seen many highs and lows over the last 25 years. Looking over such a career, you can be assured that Blue Guitars is the highest pinnacle of achievement for Rea.