Auberge

Ages ago I was shopping at a (now defunct) CD store called Periscope here in Champaign. My friend Cody, the owner of the store, suggested I try this CD out. I wasn't all that impressed the first few times I listened to it.Well, I gave it a few months, and darned if Chris Rea (according to Wikipedia it is pronounced "REE-ah"; who knows how accurate that is) doesn't grow on me big time. Both his singing and his slide guitar playing (phrased as though he is singing) are super-catchy, and I love every track on this CD.Somehow I lost the CD (maybe my son has it), and I had it on my wish list for years. I finally got tired of waiting and bought it for myself. Still a great recording; I'd recommend it to anyone. Don't give up on it; it's stellar.

Happy with my purchase. Cleaned the record really well and it cleared up the few crackles and pops I initially heard. Fantastic album by the way.

Auberge is arguably Chris Rea's best album. Some very mature themes and well-crafted lyrics in Gone Fishing, Set me free, Lookin for the summer and Mention of your name. These are the ones that grow on you. And then there are the catchy tunes in Auberge, And you my love etc.The remaster gives the sound more fullness and the streak of sibilance evident in the earlier CD release is gone. Chris Rea fans will be happy with this remaster. As for the additional material added in to make it "deluxe" and boost sticker price, it's nothing to write home about. Most of the songs don't even belong to this album and are edited or live versions of some prior hits. A subdued version of Josephine (from the New light through Old Windows) is included - this version, in my opinion, was never as strong as the original on Shamrock Diaries.Mr. Rea looks worn out after his stroke and survival from cancer but remains the true musician still doing live concerts with dedication and incredible zest. The road has, after all, been his passion. Ride on, Mr. Rea, master of the bottleneck slide guitar.

I just discovered this artist Chris Rea, and I love his music

Good music

First heard this in Paris, while visiting friends, I kept trying to guess who was singing..........my first guess was Leonard Cohen. This is a beautiful album.

the British Springsteen is what I've heard him called, but I think it is different. Wonderfully unique sounds.

LOVE the way this CD starts out. Bought the cassette (remember Cassettes?) back when it came out because of Auberge...I'm notcrazy about all the songs but, that's just me.