The more I hear the more I like...

It's day two....and I'm listening through to about 10 hours of blues influenced original music. I have been a fan of Chris Rea ever since his first album (What ever happened to Benny Santini?). However , the sheer scope and depth of this work is staggering. I can't think of another musician in the modern era who has published such a strong body of work at one time. For those who are familiar with the more pop oriented Chris Rea will find enough here to keep them entertained. The Blues Ballads (CD7) is particularly satisfying for those who love the languid, smoke filled Rea delivery. There is also enough variety within the blues genre as presented by Rea and his merry cohorts to keep even the most discriminating afficianado smiling. Blues Beginnings (CD1) is like an aural history lesson, whereas the Celtic and Irish Blues (CD9) does for blues what Riverdance did for tapping feet. Louisiana and New Orleans Blues (CD3) takes us along the bayou and gives us a taste of Cajun cookin'. The production of each CD tries to stay faithful to the recording techniques of that time and place and in so doing gives each CD its own unique feel. In fact it becomes eveident when you are changing CD even if they are playing in rotation on my computer. I'm serious....you need to check out this music! At about $55-$60 through Amazon.com this has to be the musical bargain of all bargains.