The Return of the Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes

Following the mammoth  Blue Guitars [11CD + DVD ] album, I heard many rumours that Chris Rea was retiring and would not be releasing any more albums. Which seemed fair enough: Blue Guitars was a magnificent album and a fittingly grand finale to his career. Then all of a sudden this classy little number slipped out, right under my radar so I haven't heard it until now. I wish I had heard it earlier, as it is truly a fantastic piece of work.At the heart of this release is three CDs packed full of classy music. The central conceit is that the music presented is the recorded output of a fictional band, the Delmonts. In their younger days (Disc 1) they burst onto the music scene with bright and brash guitar based rock'n'roll, sounding very much like the shadows. The band soon split up, and in later years reform and start recording again under the name `The Hofner Blue Notes' (Discs 2 and 3). The music here is more mature, a melting pot of blues and jazz very much in the same strain as Rea's more recent releases ( Hofner Blue Notes , Blue Street (Five Guitars) , The Blue Jukebox , Dancing Down The Stony Road ).Musically this is a treat. Clearly a tribute to Rea's musical influences and heroes, there is track after track of foot-tapping tunes, slow reflective jazz and moody blues numbers, all held together by Rea's classy slide guitar, unmistakeable vocals and unique story telling writing. After the 12 disc Blue Guitars set I am amazed there is anything left in Rea's creative tank, but somehow he has conjured up 3 discs worth of marvellous music.But that's just the music - that is just the start of this great set. It is presented in the form of a hardback book, with the discs tucked in the back cover. The book is 80 pages, and tells the story of the band in words and pictures. There is some wonderful photography, especially the shots of life in the North in the late `60s. There are also many of Rea's paintings and lyrics to all track with words. The art and pictures are a visual feast. And then, to top it all off the three CDs are reproduced and presented on two 10" vinyl LPs. I do not have a turntable so have not listened to these, but just the smell when I opened the book and detected the vinyl was so evocative and brought back so many memories!A really magnificent set, with something here for everyone to enjoy, from uptempo foot tappers to smokey, jazzy blues. I loved it and have no hesitation in awarding 5 stars. Here's hoping there is still more to come?

This is a wonderful project that Rea has worked on and so utterly compelling. The whole set is very listenable but thought-provoking whatever your mood and wherever you are and whatever you are doing.It is worth taking time out just to explore the quality of the packaging, pictures and photography which so beautifully evoke the era that the music represents before you lose yourself in the music. As soon as you have done that, you will realize with intrepidation and excitement that this 3CD set is a fine addition to the collection of any self-respecting music lover and is a necessity for any Rea fan.Following fairly soon after the Magnus Opus 'Blue Guitars' in 2005 (less effective, overall, than this, in my opinion) one might have some reservations about how good this new project could be. Fret not. It is perhaps his finest work. For me, at least, it's certainly up with Chris' best releases and I cannot recommend it highly enough.The first CD consists of 16 short guitar-led instrumentals which represent the 50s era during which Rea's fictional band 'The Delmonts' were founded. The tracks can be compared perhaps with The Shadows. The story continues with 'The Delmonts' dispanding and most of the band members re-forming to become 'The Hofner Bluenotes' who take us through the sixties throughout CDs 2 and 3. The musicianship is superb, not over-produced, and Rea's guitar playing is, of course, outstanding. From the menacing beat of 'I can't wait for love; at the start of CD2, the powerful and satisfying 'Legacy Blues' to the gorgeous 'Meet Me On a Mountain'on CD3, this is pure listening pleasure of the highest calibre from a brilliantly talented musician.I am a relative new-comer to Rea's work and I have been catching up on what I've been missing. I saw him live in Plymouth in March and I was blown away by this man, by his guitar playing and by his performance. Even my wife, who is not as 'into' music as I am, loved it.I can't wait to see what he does next.

Classic Chris Rea bluesy sound.

In this era of downloads and digital music comes along Chris Rea with this splendid release for the true music fan - the packaging is a joy for the eyes and the music is fab. Totally agree with the other comments made before me. Mr.Rea is a rare musician that cares about his craft and its audience. I do recall seeing him on his first tour with Lindisfarne some 30 years and have followed him since although he hasn't been in Japan for along time I do hope this may bring him sometime in the future! If you have not bought the previous release 'Blue Guitars' it is essential. A simple thank-you to everyone involved in this a beautiful project.

Chris Rea's blues compilations really hit the spot. This set consists of 3 CDs and 2 10" Lps. Be aware however that it is not 5 different records but 4 as 1 CD duplicates the vinyl recordings. Handy so you can get your recording onto the PC/MAC, especially as Amazon Music upgrade appears not to currently work with a MAC anymore (7/11/2016)! As far as the music is concerned it really sounds of the period and is something I put on again and again. If you like Chris's Blue Guitars box set then you will like this. A very nice package including a booklet outlining the Bluenotes fictional career. At £17 an absolute bargain.

Chris at his best

I have just received the latest offering from Mr Rea, it is a stunning CD set, full of great songs which the more you listen to them the better they get. I have been a fan since 1986 seen him in concert many times and have all his CD's, this latest addition has built on his last masterpiece Blue Guitars he is without question a great songwriter and blues guitarist Pure Class.

Not bad, but not in the same class as Chris Rea's "Blue Guitars". The package is a bit of a rip-off, in that the content of the 2 vinyl mini-LPs is duplicated on the 1st of the 3 CDs, which is pointless, and makes the set overpriced. The artwork & photos in the enclosed book are nice, though.

If you’re a Chris Rea fan you will like this set. Some great songs on a 3 vinyl / cd set. Nice packaging with a full size book. I’ve never heard a Chris Rea cd I didn’t like. Great music

rea non delude, ogni album (e qui sono 3) completa il suo percorso artistico. Buona l' idea di proporre anche il tutto in un contenitore con ottime fottografie

Objet d'une part, et le contenu l'est tout autant. Varié, nostalgique, et bien sûr un régal pour les amateurs du touché et du goût de ce guitariste si sous-estimé par les critiques, ce dont se moquent les vrais fans.

Rea da un paso más y nos mete tres cds con elnprimero en vinilo. Nos traslada a la música instrumental de mediados de los 60, sonido muy beatle. Magnífico el cd cantado que nos devuelve a la época pre-blues en muchos temas y , como suele hacer, otro cd íntegro de blues. Variedad y gran precio con aspecto vintage

Dear Sirs:The Box set of "Chris Rea"..presents..."The return of the Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes" These 3 cd's and 2 album's are one of the best of all "Chris Rea"'s cd's and albums album's.It's fabulous if you don't have it ...get it ,if you're a Chris Rea diehard/collector this is a must.The two(2)albums and one (1)cd are when he was with the "Delmonts" way back in the sixty's,The other two(2)cd's are"The Hofner Bluenotes"(Hofner is a type of European electric guitar.