On the Beach
In Praise of Chris Rea….
I’ve been promising this one for a while, it’s a bit of a liberty but then it is my blog 
Chris Rea is one of my all time favourite artists, I’ve been a fan of his for more than twenty four years and his songs and more especially his lyrics have mirrored many times in my life with his incredible ability to tell a story in a musical form.
Rea was born and raised in the North East of England and plyed his trade in the working man’s clubs across the country before getting his first record deal. He is best known for his ‘Road to Hell’ album but before that, in the late Seventies he wrote and performed the classic ‘Fool If You Think It’s Over’, a song best known, tragically for Elkie Brooks cover version and UK number one.
His songwriting ability is up there with the best of them, if he had been American he would have received far more aclaim because singer songwriters are generally better appreciated in the States and for my money he is right up there with Billy Joel and Elton John. He has recorded some immense albums over the years, here’s my favourites:
1. On the Beach
2. Deltics
3. Blue Cafe
4. Whatever Happened to Benny Santini
5. Shamrock Diaries
6. Auberge
I could go on but you get the idea, just buy any of them! ‘On the Beach’ is my all time favourite because it is a staunch reminder of a wonderful, carefree time in my life and the song became a bit of an anthem for my best mate and I back then. The whole album has a glorious laid back summer feel to it and when I took this photograph of my friend it reminded me of how we used to work to drink and have a good time….
In later years Rea suffered from an horrendous illness which forced him to cut back on his work, he returned to his first love, the blues and has since recorded some excellent albums dedicated to the American blues scene with influences from the jazz and Irish folk world. But for me his work in the late Seventies and Eighties was his best, his lyric writing is often without compare, give him a go.
Miles,
I had the tape version of On the Beach in the days when it was still cool to own a Walkman and for a time, played it constantly. This could well be one track that might appeal to all ages and all kinds of folks…. I loved it, thanks Miles.
If he ever decides to give a performance in the Shire, we must dig out our 80’s gear and go… in fact some of us might not even have to change
Cid
November 28, 2008 @ 9:03 am
Elkie Brooks done a great version of Fool. Liked by the man himself Chris Rea.Why tragically??
November 28, 2008 @ 10:41 am
Miles,
Brilliant track thank you. I, too enjoy Chris Rea and think him timeless.
Cid is right, an appeal to all ages.
Love the photo.
Elsie
November 28, 2008 @ 2:10 pm
Dave,
Welcome to the site and thankyou for taking the time to comment it is much appreciated.
My comment about Elkie was, I confess a bit ‘tongue in cheek’ as I do like it. I suppose I felt a bit sorry for Chris because he never got the same success but then I don’t suppose he complained about the royalty cheques!!
Thanks again Dave, hope you return again soon.
kind regards
Miles
November 28, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
Cid and Elsie,
I always said you were ladies of taste :
Glad you enjoyed it.
MIles
November 28, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
I love Elkie Brooks singing this. I saw her last week in concert, I was with my parents. Elkie sang Fool if You Think it’s over. It was awesome. She has a great voice.
November 29, 2008 @ 10:34 am
Andrea,
Welcome to the site and thanks for commenting. Glad you enjoyed the concert, it’s a great song. I’m begining to think I should have done a post on Elkie Brooks instead!
Thanks again Andrea,
Hope you return again soon
Miles
November 29, 2008 @ 11:19 am
Always love Elkie Brooks voice.Britians best female singer.
November 30, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
Franco,
Glad to hear it! Welcome to the site, I seem to have stirred a hornets nest with this one!
Kind regards
Miles
November 30, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
Been very busy again, but wanted to thank you for this post. I ordered On the Beach and Blues Cafe from Amazon. I must say you were absolutely right about Rea. He should have had a much, much larger following in the states. Thank you for the introduction, and I’m going to enjoy the other albums (put them on my Christmas wish list). I love having a song or artist that brings back specific memories of a time and place - you’re lucky its a great song. I have some unbelievably bad tunes as the soundtrack to the great times of my life.
December 6, 2008 @ 5:01 am
Dave,
That’s fantastic! Really chuffed to read that. He’s done some great stuff and I’m glad you’re into it.
Happy listening.
Miles
December 6, 2008 @ 8:30 am
Love Elkie Brooks version of Fool if You Think its over.
I have seen her soooooooooooooo many times in concert. She always delivers. Her vocal range is amazing.
The only real female rocker the U.K. produced.
December 6, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
Katie,
Welcome to the site and thanks for taking the time to comment. I’m glad you enjoy the song, she is a great singer, there’s no doubt about it.
Hope you return again soon.
Kind regards
Miles
December 6, 2008 @ 10:40 pm
Love this song. The version by Elkie Brooks is really good also.I came from France to see her in concert in the U.K.She was sensational………
December 13, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
Emliien,
Welcome to the site, glad you like the song-the album is worth a listen too.
It’s cold and wet in England at the moment so a beach on a summer’s day seems a long way off!
Kind regards
Miles
December 13, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
Have to agree with emilien from france. Elkie Brooks is awesome live. Great voice.
December 14, 2008 @ 12:52 pm