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Blue Guitars [11CD + DVD] by: Chris Rea

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Rating: - What Talent

This is an amazing piece of work from a hugely talented artist,it is a first of its kind and demonstates his commitment to making the kind of music he truley believes in. Their is something for everyone i particularly like the Irish Blues CD some of the best music he has ever produced.

Rating: - no reason not to buy it. underrated

Whether you love listening to the blues, playing the blues, singer songwriters, value for money or just plain curious, you won't be disappointed. I generally had no time for Mr Rea & his road to hell stuff, but to witness a mans dedication and prolific output was an experience in itself. Chris shows how "simple" can be beautiful, entertaining, sad, sensitive, sometimes repetitive, but never bad. Some people make whole careers out of just one of the blues styles he presents. Chris proves that quantity does not cost quality. If clapton had released 11 cds for £30 singing this material he would have made rave reviews. Ok so Rea's guitar solo's aren't hendrix or clapton, but if that's what you want you should go elsewhere. Only critisism would be that the set tends to drift into the category of easy listening, not in a tacky sense though. You'll come out the other end feeling content, full of admiration for such an artist, pleased with high quality product and compelled to write a review.

Rating: - King of Bland Makes An Almost Not Bland Epic (Worth Buying Anyway)

I'm not a massive Rea fan. I love the Best Of released in 2001 and the album The Road To Hell Part 2 (which everyone hates). The Road To Hell Part 1 is okay. The rest of his stuff is too bland to be much fun.

He says that his pop/rock career was an accident. After a life threatening illness (something to do with his pancreas) he decided to make the blues album he always intended to record.

Ever since he's been making blues albums, having stopped making glossy pop/rock.

This eleven album set is like an instant second career to make up for lost time.

I've had this for over a year and there's still three discs I haven't heard. As far as value for money is concerned it's a great buy.

The good news is that his songwriting is good and consistent. I've enjoyed most of the discs but they start to feel a bit bland on repeat listens.

Another reviewer said that for all his claimed passion for the blues he never seems to really let go and play something wild. There are some instrumental passages were he lets rip with the slide guitar but even then it's still repressed in that typical English way.

If nothing else this material is a lot better than his recent blues albums. I've found them to be incredibly dull with underwritten lyrics. His fans will defend Dancing Down The Stony Road to the death but honestly, it makes even Dancing With Strangers sound interesting in comparison.

The fake vinyl hissing noise annoyed some of the other reviewers. I liked it. Anything to dirty up the sound is a good thing when it comes to Rea's blues music.

Like: 60's and 70's, Chicago Blues and Texas Blues.

Dislike: Celtic Blues (liked it first time but has become deathly dull), Latin Blues and Blues Ballads.

The DVD has been released before and it covers the making of a different album. That said it's nice that it's included as it is an interesting documentary. Though don't be fooled into buying Dancing Down The Stony Road unless you REALLY loved this box set.

To clear up any confusion, yes I do like Blue Guitars and I do recommend it. There is blandness here and there, but there are lots of good interesting songs as well. And lyrically the songs tell proper stories unlike his previous blues albums.

Relevant side note:
It's a shame that Rea's live album of his Blue Guitars material is so bland as I expected real grit on the performances. The 2CD version of The Road To Hell And Back sounds too clean and smooth. Also the song selection is a bit so-so.

Rating: - 5 stars isn't really enough

I hadn't realised what my twenty-five iron men were buying.

Yes, you get 11 CDs and a DVD. 12 hours of blues at just over £2 an hour. Plainly a labour of love for Rea himself - and it shows.

You also get an LP-sized hardback book containing an interview with the man himself, track listings, lyrics, photos, paintings - it's like the offspring of a gatefold sleeve and a Folio edition book.

My only criticism - and it may be something you love - is the surface noise which seems to have been added to some of the tracks. It's an unnecessary intrusion - despite its charm - and a slightly bogus touch.

Rating: - Fantastic

What a fantastic collection of blues music from Chris Rea. Wow, as a blues fan this collection is a must have, it takes you all over from Irish Celtic roots to the depths of the Mississippi and beyond I just loved it. My best Christmas present this year!!!!!!!!

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