Search - Chris Rea :: King of the Beach

The Perfect album for the summer

Javier Navas | Milenrama, Madrid | 08/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD on Amazon after hearing it in a bar nearby the sea. I was amazed of the perfection and good taste of this music. The low and deep voice from this singer takes you to quiet and silent places full of relax and peace.





The first song, 'King of the Beach', is a perfect opener breaking the silence with a mellow, new agey melody that turns to swinging blues. Speaks about the central theme of the album: the beach as a place for resting and self-discovering.





The next one, 'All Summer Long' is probably the most commercial tune in the album and has a haunting rythm with female chantings, and the deep voice of Rea drawing a lot of summery images. The next song, Sail Away, is an exquisite ballad full of tenderness, told to a woman that has to leave. But for me the probable spotlight in the album is the sixth song, 'Guitar Street', a very bluesy song about a guy that decides to be a guitarist and leaves it all behind. The style and consistency of the song are unique, with a lot of elegance and emotion, this is a song that really uplifts you and I would count it amongst the best I've heard with a Dire Straits / Bruce Springsteen rocky style.





Another gem is the penultimate, 'Tamatave', with a part of the song sung in French. It's not exactly a ballad but a very slow song with loads of atmospheric sounds, a very strange and mysterious song. 'Who do you Love' is elegant and deep, with a very gentle piano driving melody, and the last one, 'Waiting for a Blue Sky' is bluesy again and really optimistic, a nice ending to the album (I don't have the bonus track).







This album is a masterpiece in its genre. Although I don't have anymore from Chris Rea I'll stick to this for a while as I heard it's the best in ten years. The best the smooth rock/blues can get, cleverly composed and with exquisite genuine guitar playing."

All summer long.....

J-Dogg | WI/IL, United States | 12/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album grew on me quickly. An excellent album to listen to in the heart of the summer (or the winter to forget those blues!) I love the production, the playing, the vocals : ), and the vibe throughout. Highly recommend you give this album a chance.



As the years progress, one always looks back and get a true feel of an albums strength and weaknesses.

This album has stood the test of time, and I consider this release to be one of his best from the latter half of Mr. Rea's output.



Through the years I have purchased 95% of Chris Rea's recorded output,

and apart from a few misfires, his releases have consistently earned high scores with me.



To put things in perspective, "King of Beach" gets pulled from my collection at least once a month.

I can't say that about other Chris Rea's releases.

For a fair-weather Chris Rea fan, I would include "King of the Beach" as mandatory listening.

It has a very updated and modern feel to it, yet still possesses the magic that is Chris Rea.



To start things off, we have a rapid succession of strong atmospheric, and reflective music Chris Rea has been very capable of throughout the years. "King of the Beach", "All Summer Long", "Sail Away", and "Still Beautiful" are truly refreshing and wonderful additions to the cannon of Chris Rea music.

This album truly takes me away to the beach. I find the material refreshing and inspirational.

I am overcome with peaceful, tranquil, relaxing, emotional, and reflective thoughts throughout.

"Who do you love", "Memory of a good friend", and "Sandwriting" are also standout tracks.

An album that was criminally overlooked here in the USA, but then again with ADHD and ADD on the rise, the majority of Americans want hot rod singles on those I-pods.



To sum this up, I have "Still Beautiful" as my wife's ring tone : )

If you have some of Chris Rea's album-pick this up.

If you've just discovered Chris, this would not be a bad point to start for his post 1993 output.

An introspective release, that rates high among the Chris Rea releases.

Highly recommended and a release that stands the test of time.



Track listing.

1. King of the Beach:

2. All Summer Long:

3. Sail Away:

4. Still Beautiful:

5. The Bones of Angels

6. Guitar Street

7. Who Do You Love

8. The Memory of a Good Friend

9. Sandwriting

10. Tamatave

11. God Gave Me an Angel

12. Waiting for a Blue Sky



"