Chris de Burgh

I love his voice. It's a great selection of his songs. Really enjoyed most of them...a good buy!

The CD was purchased as a Christmas gift for my daughter-in-law so other than saying that the CD came in plenty of time for me to give it as a Christmas gift I can't say more than this as I didn't play the CD. I will say that my daughter-in-law was very surprised and happy with my choice of a CD for her.

I love this original rendition of "Lady in Red" and am delighted with the other songs presented on this CD.

THIS HAS BEEN MY FAVORITE ALL TIME SONG. ALMOST HAVE IT WORN OUT. GREAT CD

1. "This is your Paradise" - This is a number 1 pick as the "Our Song" for a couple. The lyrics are clear and concise and have all the emotion one wants to convey to your mate. The music is well suited to the lyrics and leaves a "cannot forget the melody" as the take away from listening.
2. "Lady in Red" - My reason for purchasing the cd. Again, the lyrics and melody make this an all time favorite dance and sing along tune. So much emotion is conveyed and is truly a classic.
3. "Borderline" - With the war in Iraq, this is a "now" tune even though written years ago. The sentiment is so emotionally filling .. one cannot get away from the haunting melody. Comment: Seems there are several tunes on this cd that mirror the melody of "Borderline". A bit repetitious but nonetheless haunting.

Hidden among Chris DeBurgh's endless "repackaging of material" albums hides this gem.

Chris DeBurgh in his best singing form...and a full orchestra. Pure Heaven. Don't just stand there! Buy what will be the best album of your collection.

The arrangements on these songs make the love songs more romantic. The addition of classics revisited make this one his best albums. He includes a Beatles tune which I loved. The only thing better than this album was seeing the concert version. This is one of those albums that will make a romantic evening even more special.

A truly excellent CHRIS De BURGH ALBUM ,"5 stars" in every respect,to quote ole CHRIS himself "this is the album i've always wanted to make, a live studio recording of personal favourites ,old classics and new songs with full orchestra and choir" The sound and production are superb, his voice clear and strong,backed by the London Session Orchestra,every one of the 12 songs are great. I think Roy Orbison would be happy with his rendition of "In Dreams" . I've played "Beautiful Dreams" countless times, and every new listen is as uplifting as the last. Easily my favourite De Burgh album, every De Burgh fan should have this , you won't be disappointed, get it. It will be his masterpiece for sure, i can't see how he could perform another any better.

a beautifull , excellent C

A nice addition to anyone's collection of music. Favorite and familiar songs of his are enhanced by having the orchestra as his "band".

THE GETAWAY is Chris DeBurgh's best album ever. He's gotten some bad reviews of his entire career simply because of his 1986 Top 10 hit "The Lady In Red", which is an argument in itself as to why I oppose a federal journalist shield law, because all of his albums from 1975-1984 were actually very good. This album is his best ever, including not only the terrific rocker "Don't Pay The Ferryman", which is an example of the kind of song Bruce Springsteen or Bob Seger would write if they'd been steeped in Shakespeare or other great British literature, but many other great rockers and ballads which have stood the test of time. This album is why I don't discuss my personal life with anyone who likes "The Lady In Red."

I love the music and the artist. I wore out the tape of this artist so I
decided to replace it.

This is probably Chris de Burgh's strongest album even if it is not his most recognized or commercially successful work. I'm not sure if Chris himself picked the tracks for his greatest hits compilation of 1989, Spark to a Flame, or if his record label was responsible. Either way, it reflects the strength of this album that five tracks here made the greatest hits: "Don't Pay the Ferryman," "The Getaway," "Ship to Shore," "Borderline" and "Where Peaceful Waters Flow."
"Ferryman" was Chris' first real hit around the world. It's a strong, driving rock song with a great hook and a nice lyric. The imagery is typical of de Burgh's story-song settings even if this is not one of his deeper lyrics. "Getaway" and "Ship to Shore" are two other catchy, rockier songs on the album, with the rest being quieter ballad-type songs.
"Borderline" is a sadly sung ballad about a soldier longing for the day there is no more war and he can return to his love. This song had an interesting sequel five years later on the album Into the Light. Chris actually sampled the closing lines of "Borderline" before heading into the faster and more upbeat "Say Goodbye to it All." I remember how "Borderline" was strummed on guitars by soldiers at a real borderline in the war between Angola and South Africa.
"Where Peaceful Waters Flow" recalls earlier de Burgh ballads like "In a Country Churchyard" and "A Spaceman Came Travelling." It's a haunting song with a beautiful chorus. All these songs make the album worth getting.

Fans of Chris de Burgh's adult-oriented pop will often cite "Into the Light" (with its massive international hit "The Lady in Red") as their favorite de Burgh album. Fans of de Burgh's early-career acoustic ballads and period stories might cite "Spanish Train" as their favorite. But for me, "The Getaway" is the best.

More assured and less precious than his early work but more evocative and alive than his later releases (which tend to be overproduced), "The Getaway" is a perfect balance of de Burgh's many sounds and interests.

Three tracks are straight-ahead, bright-sounding, energetic rock and roll: "Don't Pay the Ferryman" (his first US hit, which admittedly may seem a bit dated now), the title track, and "Ship to Shore"--the strongest and tightest of the trio, with a very well-placed horn section). (These represent a sound he would fully explore in "Man on the Line," but as the albums that followed grew more and more reliant on synthesizers, the energy of his rock numbers dissipated.)

His art-rock and period interests are represented by the three part epic "Revolution/Light a Fire/Liberty," whose content is obvious from the titles, building energy in part one, exploding in part two, and settling down to a quiet acoustic sound in the last segment. While it's not quite as strong as earlier epics, it still succeeds.

The rest of the album consists of the light-hearted, light-rock but very catchy "Living on the Island" and some of the best ballads of his career. These include "Counting on You" (written for his new-born child), "Where Peaceful Waters Flow," and the melancholy anti-war "Borderline." All have become staples of his concerts and greatest-hit collections.

"The Getaway" was my introduction to Chris de Burgh, and twenty-two years later, it's still the best place to start.

Fans of Chris de Burgh's adult-oriented pop will often cite "Into the Light" (with its massive international hit "The Lady in Red") as their favorite de Burgh album. Fans of de Burgh's early-career acoustic ballads and period stories might cite "Spanish Train" as their favorite. But for me, "The Getaway" is the best.

More assured and less precious than his early work but more evocative and alive than his later releases (which tend to be overproduced), "The Getaway" is a perfect balance of de Burgh's many sounds and interests.

Three tracks are straight-ahead, bright-sounding, energetic rock and roll: "Don't Pay the Ferryman" (his first US hit, which admittedly may seem a bit dated now), the title track, and "Ship to Shore"--the strongest and tightest of the trio. (These represent a sound he would fully explore in "Man on the Line," but as the albums that followed grew more and more reliant on synthesizers, the energy of his rock numbers dissipated.)

His art-rock and period interests are represented by the three part epic "Revolution/Light a Fire/Liberty," whose content is obvious from the titles, building energy in part one, exploding in part two, and settling down to a quiet acoustic sound in the last segment. While it's not quite as strong as earlier epics, it still succeeds.

The rest of the album consists of the light-hearted, light-rock but very catchy "Living on the Island" and some of the best ballads of his career. These include "Counting on You" (written for his new-born child), "Where Peaceful Waters Flow," and the melancholy anti-war "Borderline." All have become staples of his concerts and greatest-hit collections.

"The Getaway" was my introduction to Chris de Burgh, and twenty-two years later, it's still the best place to start.

[Note: this import edition appears released more recently that the US version by A&M. I am not aware, however, if it has been remastered.]

My first exposure to the engaging music of Chris de Burgh was the song "Don't Pay the Ferryman" which was a radio hit around the world in the early 80s, but the first album by Chris that really appealed to me was Man on the Line, probably because I was only really getting into pop music at that time, 1984. I like virtually every song on that album. His greatest commercial success came with his next album, Into the Light, which I also greatly enjoy (yes, even the Lady in Red). I got to know some of Chris' earlier work through his greatest hits collection, Spark to a Flame. Although Crusader was overlooked for that compilation, I sought it out by reputation alone.
This album is much more low key than his later pop-rock efforts, most of the songs being gentle balladry that is reflective of its era. Even so, Chris de Burgh's musical style is unique. Not everyone can get into this type of music. Crusader not my favorite Chris de Burgh album, as I think he wrote more memorable and touching ballads on other albums (e.g., "In a Country Churchyard," "Where Peaceful Waters Flow," "The Head and the Heart," "For Rosanna"), but it is notable for its title track, an epic story-song that became an element of many of Chris' albums. You will find this kind of multi-part thematic epic on Into the Light as well, with the trilogy "The Leader/The Vision/What About Me?" And Spanish Train and other Stories has Chris' best collection of story-songs with its title track, "Just Another Poor Boy," and "A Spaceman Came Travelling." Chris often wrote songs with religious and even Christian imagery, rare for a secular artist. Crusader visits this theme on the aforementioned title track.
Seeing as so many of the reviewers of this album felt compelled to offer apologies for, or even debunk, Chris' politically incorrect imagery of the war between the Crusaders and the Saracens over Jerusalem, I will comment here as well. The Crusades were not a Christian war of aggression against an otherwise peaceful Islam, they were a response to centuries of Muslim jihad that conquered North Africa and struck deep into Europe. It was only when Muslim control of the Holy Land led to the expulsion of Christian pilgrims and desecration of holy sites that the pope called for a crusade to reclaim the Holy Land. It's true that the crusaders did not always live up to their ideals of courage, honor and chivalry - they were men who lived by the sword and shed blood. But people should not be shocked that Chris's lyrics are less than kind to Saladin. He was a brutal leader, who delighted in slaughtering the inhabitants of Constantinople. In the first battle for Jerusalem (just prior to Richard the Lionhearted's crusade), Saladin showed mercy to its Christian inhabitants, but only if people could buy their passage out of the city, and because the knight Balian threatened to destroy the Muslim holy sites and put all Muslim inhabitants to the sword if Saladin persisted in his attack.

Once, there was a troubadour whose songs told stories about Country Churchyards and houses with Satin Green Shutters, about Lonesome Cowboys, Spacemen and Strippers, and about the devil cheating the Lord in a game of chess for the souls of humanity played on a Spanish Train. In those years, that troubadour's songs were simple, straightforward and enchanting, both musically and lyrically, and he published albums fittingly entitled "Far Beyond These Castle Walls," "Spanish Train and Other Stories" and "At the End of a Perfect Day."

Then, he was discovered. And while (initially) his lyrics at least maintained their poignancy (see "The Getaway"), his music suddenly joined the flood waves of overproduced pop. But just before that point, in 1979, he released what many to this day consider his masterpiece; the album most pointedly embodying the tradition in which, if interviews he gave at the time were to be believed, he saw himself. Supported by the better part Alan Parson's "Project" (minus Parsons himself and Eric Woolfson) - guitarist Ian Bairnson, bassist David Paton, drummer Stuart Elliott and keyboardists Mike Moran and Andrew Powell, the latter of whom also served as the album's producer and conductor - he put together a collection of 12 songs in turn seducing, stirring and soothing the listener's soul. There are soft songs of love and loss like "I Had the Love in My Eyes," "Something Else Again," "It's Such a Long Way Home" and "Quiet Moments." There is the heartrending fairy tale of the "Girl With April in Her Eyes." There is De Burgh's bow to the era's "save the earth" movement, the rallying cry of "Just in Time". There is the sequel to the ghastly game of chess in "Spanish Train" (to which the song's lyrics expressly make reference), the dramatic story of "The Devil's Eye" gazing back at you from your TV screen. And there is a troubadour's look at "Old-Fashioned People" wishing to be carried back to the times and places that they knew.

But the album's piece de resistance is its title track, an (especially considering the time of its release) epic, nine-minute long tale retelling the story of Richard the Lionheart's crusade; beginning quietly but rising to dramatic heights as the enemies face each other over Jerusalem, and yet, ending on a quiet, pensive note. True, the song's lyrics reflect enormous bias and are, at the very least, historically debatable; and the mere fact that the story is told from a crusader's point of view doesn't do anything to change this, for those who participated in the crusades knew better than to underestimate Saladin or put him down like this - the version we're getting here is the propaganda spread throughout Christian Europe in support of the campaign to "free" Jerusalem. But ultimately, I don't think this part of the song represents the point that Chris De Burgh wants to make. Rather, the song's most important lines are those of the last, reflective verses, which are well worth considering, particularly these days:

"What do I do now?" said the Wise man to the Fool,
"I have spent my whole life searching, to find the Golden Rule,
Though centuries have disappeared, the memory still remains,
Of those enemies together, could it be that way again?"
Then the Fool said "Oh you Wise men, you really make me laugh,
With your talk of vast persuasion and searching through the past,
There is only greed and evil in the men who fight today,
The song of the Crusader has long since gone away ..."

The album's last song, "You and Me," is a short, gentle farewell: "The time has come for me to take my bows and leave the stage," De Burgh sings, and promises to return and again take his audience "through the ancient halls and stories of the past, and the many ways of loving." Well, return he certainly did, but would that he had remembered the rest of his promise as well! Alas, that was not to be the case. But even for those of us who think he later sold out, there are still his first four albums - and particularly this one - to turn to for enchantment, comfort, and exceptional storytelling ...

Also recommended:
Far Beyond These Castle Walls
Spanish Train & Other Stories [IMPORT]
At the End of a Perfect Day

Crusader was the first album by Chris de Burgh that I ever heard, back in 1979, and I was an instant convert. While I love much of his early work, Crusader stands out by being consistently superb - it is very rare for me to find an album on which every song is worth listening to time and time again! From the poetic storytelling of the title track (historical accuracy aside, it is a wonderful piece of art to transform such a great story into a song), through to the Gaelic background vocals in 'Carry On', from the homesickness evident in 'Such A Long Way Home' to one of the best love songs ever ('Something Else Again'), the whole album is a tour de force. Anyone who is remotely interested in anything that Chris de Burgh has ever released should own this album!

No doubt, Crusader is the ultimate masterpiece of the early De Burgh! Produced by orchestrator, arranger and piano player Andrew Powell (long-time sideman to Alan Parsons) and the entire Alan Parsons personnel (Ian Bairnson, David Paton, Stuart Elliott) playing on this recording, completed by Mike Moran (keyboards, piano, synthesizer) Crusader finally convinced where the three previous albums failed. The compositions are again in the balladeer style, but the production and arrangements ultimately reach perfection. "Carry On" is probably the most commercial song on the album. I'm not sure if it was released as a single. "Something Else Again" is probably the loveliest love song a man could ever play for a woman! "Crusader" is an almost 9 minute piece which reminds me of "Spanish Train" in a way, but it is still unique in its own style. A remastered version of this CD might be appropriate.

This is Chris de Burgh at his very best. Combining powerful melodies with vivid storytelling and outstanding ballads, this album captures Chris de Burgh's vocal and songwriting talents at their very best. Not to be missed if you are a true Chris de Burgh fan!

... long before Chris became a wedding singer (via "Lady In Red"), he put out this terrific recording where every track's a winner - a big thumbs up to the producer (Robin Geoffrey-Cable or something sounding similarly blue-blooded, if memory serves me correctly), who I can't remember presiding over any other recording after this one.

Two things: 1) where's the beautiful album cover artwork featuring a train in the night; 2) when will a remastered version be available?

...actually, to clarify the title of this review, it is the first album I ever had bought for me, or to clarify further, the first album I ever asked for.
Let me take you back to 1979..I was turning 13 and had first heard this album at scout camp during the summer. I was blown away by the songs...God and the Devil playing Cards, women who stripped (at 12, going on 13 it was really erotic) songs about WW1 and love and murder and spacemen.
Therefore, for my birthday in the September I asked my parents for 'Spanish Train by Christy Burke!.
Thankfully someone in the record shop knew what they were asking for and they arrived home with the album.
I played the album so much that both my parents ended up knowing all the words of every song (and they still do!).
As most other reviewers have mentioned, Chris is remembered by most people for the Lady In Red, but this is the album that will always define Chris De Burgh for me.
Over the years I have probably started to dislike some of the songs, especially Spaceman (na,na,na,na,na,na chorus kinda grates at this stage), however I still have the original album. I also have it on tape and on CD, which is probably the best way of explainign how good this is.

The problem with marketing someone like Chris DeBurgh in America is that he's not a pop singer. He's a poet. (A poet with Celine Dion-like levels of beltishness, but a poet nonetheless.) As a result, he was hideously misrepresented by his one big hit more than arguably any other singer in history, and his career never recovered.

Which is just too damn bad, because his poetry, in full force in Spanish Train And Other Stories, is a work of art. He can be funny (Patricia The Stripper), poignant (This Song For You), Optimisic (I'm Going Home), and even incredibly melodic and breathtakingly original at the same time (A Spaceman Came Travelling, and it's a CRIME that this doesn't get any airtime in the holiday season).

This album definitely isn't for everybody. DeBurgh makes no concessions to mainstream thought or religious squeamishness (yes, the devil cheats God, get over it). And he gets pretty dang loud, too. But if you approach with an open mind...and an appetite for riveting stories...you're going to love this, guaranteed.

The song writing on this album is amazing ... powerful lyrics make this a classic album. Chris DeBurgh's ability to tell a story in a 3 minute song occurs on several tracks ... "Spanish Train" is a classic, and "Spaceman Came Travelling" is still played at Christmas time on the radio, a different twist about
what happened on that special Christmas eve. My favorite is "Lonely Sky", a sad ballad, but written well. "Old Friend" and
"I'm Going Home" are also beautiful songs about friendship and the important things in life, and everybody knows "Patricia the Stripper", a fun song about a stripper who says "God made her a sinner, just to keep fat men thinner". In all, a classic work that should be in your C.D. collection!

Every track on this album has a story and a moral. The lyrics are as brilliant as they are varied and in each the music matches the mood of the story perfectly. Some of his best and most enduring songs had their debut on this album which I have loved on vinyl and CD since the 70's. Buy it...you won't regret it.

Lady in Red is a classic. This is the second time I've purchased the CD Five Star

The music is excellent and I love the artist. I wore out my tape of this
album so I decided to replace it with a CD.

OK, I won't go that far, but I do think this album has been given short shrift by some fans who think de Burgh "sold out" or "lost his way" and have nothing but bad things to say about "Lady in Red." Give the man credit! He finally became the pop star he was looking to be, working his way here from his two previous albums, Man on the Line and The Getaway. And if Chris had any regrets about writing "Lady in Red" and being overplayed on radio and generally associated with sappiness, he must have gotten over it enough to bring out a Love Songs album and including the oh so offensive "Lady in Red" on it.
I admit it, I was also a sap for the song and I still think it's a good love ballad, but Into the Light is a strong album because of a bunch of other songs. Other singles from this album were "Say Goodbye to it All," "The Spirit of Man" and "Fire on the Water." They are all well written pop songs. By this stage in his career, Chris was equally comfortable writing faster, rockier songs and slower romantic songs. "Say Goodbye" is an interesting sequel to the song "Borderline" from the Getaway album. Chris actually sampled the closing lines of "Borderline" before heading into the faster and rockier "Say Goodbye." "Spirit of Man" has one of the catchiest hooks and riffs on any pop song anywhere, and it's more upbeat after the solemn theme of the previous song. "Fire on the Water" is a mid-tempo ballad, one of several that celebrate romance and family on this album. I also like "For Rosanna," written for his daughter, and "Fatal Hesitation."
The closing trilogy of songs, "The Leader/The Vision/What About Me?" recalls the closing epic on Crusader. This album by Chris is really worth owning.

Chris DeBurgh hit real popularity in the US with his Into the Light album, and the Lady in Red love song. That visual image is so strong, of the woman in a red dress, and the adoring guy who realizes just how special she is. It's no wonder that many studies show that the ladies in red dresses are the ones that get the most attention in a crowd.

But this CD really has much more to offer than that one (admittedly quite wonderful) song! The other songs are equally engrossing in their own way. You've got a tender ode from a father to his daughter in "For Rosanna". You've got stories being told across multiple songs.

Some of the songs are a bit more poppy if you want to dance around a bit, but really for me the quality shines best in the romantic songs. He really gets to the heart of that emotion, and brings it out in the listener. Perfect for curling up with your loved one, and gazing into each others eyes.

This is the best 80's cd yet. Chris De Burgh is a musical genius.

This album has influenced my life for the better. I have carried these songs through thick and thin.

Even though Chris has improved his voice since this early career album...and the recording is somewhat dated...it is still worth the listening. I think that is because the songs are solid and appropriate for thoughtful people.

The simplistic acoustic approach to Broken Wings coupled with the rare power of Chris' talented voice could give a rock goose-bumps.

Don't waste your money on greatest hits albums...buy his one and witness greatness.

At the end of a perfect day, is a collection of wonderful songs that brings me back to a time of imagination and sweet love. I received the cassett tape in 1978 as a gift from a friend, and those songs have taken me through very sad and hard times. I was able to escape to an other place and find hope when I listened to "I'm going to an island" and "Around and around". I always loved history and Chris de Burght is a great story teller. I do have a few of his later albums but my opinion is that the earlier ones are the best. I still have my casette but I am ordering a CD for my daughter for a wedding present, she grew up listening to these songs, her favorite is "In a country church yard" which is also a very pretty song. Thank you, Jonathan, for the best music present I ever received.

This is one album which can truly be called an 'album'. From the very first track, 'At the end of Perfect Day' sparkles with Chris De Burgh's innocent and beautiful song writing craftmanship. Don't bother with tedious Chris De Burgh "Best Of's" buy this album along with every other one he released before the 1980's, and enjoy a unique talent.

Most of CdB's wonderful love songs on one CD - I consider this an excellent addition to my collection.

it is the best love songs,but i need the full songs lycris can you send it to my e-mail

Get the CD, get to your room, close the door, get your portable cd player(Do listen to this using headphones only), dim the lights and listen to it... Don't let me explain it and spoil the fun for you.. I have done this several times.. And I am sure CDB will work the same magic for you guys also..
His best... But should ave included tender hands and sailing away too I feel/wish

Just writing this review as I have to tell you Americans what you are missing.
Born in Ireland, Chris de Burgh is one of the best song writers I have heard in ages. Not like all this rap, r&b etc stuff that is coming out today.
This album is full to the brim of mooving songs, 1 of which I sang go my girl, "So Beautiful".
I think this music sets the mood for love and peace. See someone that don't like it? They don't know what they are missing.
Lady In Red is another fave of mine. Which he composed for his wife a long time ago. If you cannot see the WHOLE collection of his albums here, Amazon.co.uk has most of them. Go on, you know you want to buy this album, and all the others!
Take it from a Briton, (stiff upper lip and all that) this album will make you teery. You'll love it, trust me!

This album may not be available in the US stores, but it is widely available in Canada, which is where I bought it. This is truly an album of beautiful songs, that run the gamut of all kinds of love, and their respective feelings. 16 strong, powerful ballads as only Chris De Burgh can do them. 3 of the songs are new, while the rest have been pulled from previous albums, although 3 of those have been newly recorded, while "Lonely Sky" is a remix. An exceptional album, and the booklet contains all the lyrics. A must-have for all those romantics out there.

I enjoyed this disc, but there are several CD CDs I enjoy a lot more. This is a mediocre effort.

Early Chris de Burgh is very different than his late 1980s and 1990s albums, where he has generally espoused a heavily produced and synthesized adult-contemporary sound. His songwriting has remained strong and his voice beguiling, but the arrangements have often lacked originality.

In the 1970s, however, de Burgh presented himself as a true bard and balladeer. He was a storyteller, and his songs acoustic and/or orchestral, with the occasional rock number thrown in. The strongest of his first five albums are the second (Spanish Train and Other Stories) and the fourth (Crusader), but the others are by no means throwaways.

"Far Beyond These Castle Walls," unavailable as a U.S. release, is Chris de Burgh's debut, with all that implies. He is still very much finding his voice, with his stories and love songs presented in a variety of styles. (Even country/western!) None of the songs are absolutely essential or unforgettable (the one that comes closest, "Satin Green Shutters," is also available on the compilation "Best Moves"), but, with his timeless archetypes and lovely atmospherics, de Burgh is a master of evoking moods. The album is consistently enjoyable despite its unevenness.

If you are unfamiliar with de Burgh, the best comparison for this album is to the quieter tracks on Elton John's first few records, particularly the self-titled one. It's no accident, in fact--the producer/engineer of "Far Beyond These Castle Walls," Robin Geoffrey Cable, was also the engineer on those Elton John records.

i love chris deburg and all the songs is a great

This is another of his great albums, just rounding into form, it's not as polished as his next two albums. Still it gets 5 stars from me. His first 5 albums are fantastic and this one is right there as one of his best.

I have loved each of Chris DeBurgh's album as I have found them both here and in Europe. Please give him a try and I think it will change your life. It did me! I am just waiting for another new album.