The Road To Hell, a 1989 hit by singer / songwriter and slide guitarist Chris Rea, took on a double meaning when the Brit fell seriously ill in 2000. An agony followed in which now his now rediscovered but fragile health is maintained with heavy medicines. This was the reason for Rea to say goodbye to the long and hard touring with a final European tour, including the Netherlands, Southern Europe,
… Russia and England. On the live recording of this tour we hear new versions of all those typical eighties hits like Josephine and Fool (If You Think It's Over). After his illness, Rea also decided to become the blues musician he always wanted to be. He lets that resonate in the individual arrangements and in his drawn-out guitar solos. But it all remains atmospheric, while the extra grain on his lazy and dark gritty voice only enhances the melancholic tone of his songs. The sleeve announces the Memphis Fireflies, Rea's new group that will undoubtedly take it easy, but fortunately we have not lost this honest artist. (MR)more
