Road to Hell

I've heard Chris Rea compared to Leonard Cohen, except Chris can sing and play guitar. Both artists have messages to convey and social commentary to give, but Chris Rea also has more musical talent and a better delivery. I consider this to be his best over-all album with songs ranging from a sorrowful ballad like TELL ME THERE"S A HEAVEN--a sad commentary of child and spousal abuse--to LOOKING FOR A RAINBOW--a powerful anthem with a soaring dobro guitar about people searching for a better place in their lives. TEXAS is an optimistically haunting song about moving your family away from a "world gone crazy" to a mythical place with warm winds and blue skies. THE ROAD TO HELL is initially dark, slow and ominous, lamenting pollution and violence. Then it picks up tempo to a rock-a-billy style and tells us why we as a people are on the road to hell. YOU MUST BE EVIL effectively uses a slide guitar and ponderous beat to point out the crimes of society presented on TV that make his little girl cry. "You ain't fooling no one, don't show us that stuff, show us some respect." Then he'll play a tender ballad like WARM AND TENDER LOVE and move on to I JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU, a happy and upbeat, almost reggae presentation, that both warns and accepts the consequences of illicit love. Add in THAT'S WHAT THEY ALWAYS SAY, a song about reaching for the unattainable, trying to get past that one last thing, that has a driving beat and sounds a bit like Dire Straits. Chris Rea knows how to make good music across several genres, delivering his messages with very strong musical compositions. His songs ring with the dark tones of our society yet hold out hope for those who keep striving against the odds. Or if you will, ignore the lyrics and let this tight sounding musical achievement entertain you with its pounding beats, tight choruses and soaring guitar. Listen to a sample of LOOKING FOR A RAINBOW and welcome Chris Rea to your play list.

This CD contains a special version of Texas, by Chris Rea. Is is not the same version of Texas on his other albums. It is notable in that it paints a picture of a state that values individualism and freedom. Well worth a listen if you find yourself disheartned by modern life.

Before I heard the 'Road To Hell' the only Chris Rea song I liked was 'Fool (If You Think It's Over)', which I jump rope to. Then I heard 'The Road To Hell' and the only way to get it was to buy the CD, which I did. All I can say is now I'm going to check out 'Blue Cafe' and everything else I can find by Chris Rea because this is great. I'm sure other reviewers have covered it song by song, etc. I'm just looking forward to jumping to nearly every song on the CD except maybe 'The Road To Hell Part I', which is the setup for Part II, which kicks ass, and I don't care for 'Tell Me There's A Heaven' - I know it's meaningful, but way too sentimental and syrupy for my taste - if you've heard any Harry Chapin songs aside from "Cat's in the Cradle" then you have the idea. Otherwise it's all good even when it's not excellent, but it's nearly all excellent.

I have his CD’s but none with this song on it. Many will know his more famous songs, “Fool If You Think It’s Over” for one. This builds, and one can get lost in its dark roots. Love it!

I suppose that this is a bit of a coming out, if you will, comment on the fine work Chris Rea has done both over the years and on this compact disc, The Road To Hell. I am regretfully somewhat late to the Chris Rea bandwagon, however, I am delighted with this disc and find it a solid offering, top to bottom. Four stars is about as high as I can go... I'm still looking for and or listening, for THAT perfect Album/CD. But in the mean time, this won't let you down. Solid from top to bottom, Chris Rea is at the top of his form here. For those of you that are new to Chris, Think in terms of Mark Knopfler's growlsh vocals, and apply it to another, slightly different genre. If you can do that, and like Mark's work, you should fit in well with those who appreciate the fine work of Chris Rea. He is truly a treasure, and I find under appreciated here in America. Perhaps he needs and or has to grow on you? Not to the point of being an acquired taste, but surely it seems that the more advanced listener, will be able to grasp onto this man's fine volume of work, and enjoy it immensely. Most likely you already are! Chris Rea's follow up album, Auberge, is a favorite of mine and I would recommend it for additional listening pleasure. You can't go wrong with either. This music is not for 'children' it is for adults. It fits in nicely under my broad umbrella of Rock & Roll Genres that I listen to and or have in rotation on my player. My only regret... as stated above, is that I did not find Chris Rea and his wonderful smooth voice, a lot sooner. I see the track listings are missing here, so I'll include them for your reference. Enjoy! 01. The Road to Hell (Part 1) 03. The Road to Hell (Part 2) 04. You Must Be Evil 05. Texas 06. Looking for a Rainbow 07. Your Warm and Tender Love 08. Daytona 09. That's What They Always Say 10. I Just Wanna Be with You 11. Tell Me There's a Heaven

I like the sound of Chris Rea. I remember listening to the radio after coming back from PT in the morning while in the Army , in San Antonio, in Special Forces medic training in 1990. They would play the song "Texas" on a regular basis back in the summer of 1990. Good memories.

ANOTHER GREAT CHRIS REA ALBUM !! SHOULD BE ON THE RADIO EVERY HOUR BUT HE GOT SCREWED LIKE SO MANY OTHER TALENTED PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY!! RIGHT ON CHRIS REA!!! AND KEEP HIS MUSIC OUT THERE GOOD DANCING MUSIC!! GREAT GUITAR PLAYER!! LOVE IT!! THANK YOU AMAZON!! MR. ETHAN MARSHALL 899 DAISY LANE, CONWAY, S.C. 29526 843-347-0676 [email protected]

It's just a great piece of work! Totally awesome cd.

Soft rock oppure musica da viaggio, chiamatela come vi pare, "The road to hell" e' fenomenale. Si sente che la produzione risale a fine anni '80 ma le composizioni non ne risentono; Rea e' in possesso di una voce intensa, ma quello che adoro e' il suono della sua chitarra: slide micidiale, caldissima e traboccante classe, ricorda in alcuni casi quella di Mark Knopfler (ma Knoplfler un disco cosí lo sogna la notte ). Non conosco gli altri lavori, ma questo e' bellissimo.

Impresión a la antigua solo un disco gracias

Excellent quality good value 👌

Ich hatte das Album von einem Freund geliehen und auf Casette aufgenommen. Es ging mir nie aus dem Ohr, auch als ich schon lange keinen Recorder mehr hatte. Jetzt, auf CD und mit einer besseren Anlage ist es noch besser. Besonders das Intro, oder Part 1 auf der Titelliste, mit seiner düsteren Stimmung, die Klangqualität, die die Scheibenwischer und den Regen richtig real erscheinen lässt, und dann diese einzigartige Stimme, ist für mich nicht zu toppen. Der Rest bietet vor allem Abwechslung und einen aggressiveren und eindringlicheren Chris Rea als auf den bekannteren Alben. Hörenswert! Und vor allem: die Texte sollte man ruhig mal mitlesen! Weder die Musik noch die Texte haben ein Verfallsdatum.

Great deal