About | Rea-Loaded

SOME WORDS FRO DAVE OUR KEYBOARD PLAYER......

WHAT A SAD TURN OF EVENTS

Well today has been one of those days you never forget where you were when you hear about someone passing away. I know exactly where I was when Kennedy was killed, I know where I was when Elvis died and when Princess Diana’s death hit the news.

For four months now I have been part of a project called Rea Loaded which is a bunch of guys enjoying playing the music of Chris Rea and hopefully playing it well enough for others to enjoy it as well. Today we were in Stage Studios in Halesowen working through the songs in our set. We were playing one of the songs, Josephine, a lovely song which he wrote for his daughter. A sound engineer mate of ours was sitting by me listening to what we were doing and when we finished the song, he was looking at his phone. He looked up and said, “Chris Rea has died.” It didn’t seem real but a few moments later the studio owner, Alan, put his head round the door and said, “Have you heard the news?” I know it’s crazy but it was like losing someone you know and hits you hard. Our drummer Ed met him many times on the F1 circuits but I never have….and sadly now never will. I would have liked to have known that he had heard us and hopefully approved of what we’re trying to do. All I can say is What a superbly talented songwriter and musician he was and I, for one get a great deal of pleasure playing his songs which are so well crafted. RIP Chris. I hope you can jam with the other greats who have left us up there in the great gig in the sky

Rea- Loaded is a new project that has been put together by some very experienced musicians based in the West Midlands of the UK, to create an authentic tribute to the music of Chris Rea.

Founder member and drummer with the band, Ed Taylor wondered why very few people had come up with a tribute that could accurately portray the image and sound of this fabulous singer and musician.

Ed also met Chris several times over the years in the motorsport paddocks of the world, which of course was a huge passion and remains a big part of Chris' life. It was always a hope that Chris would get on stage for a jam at one of the many F1 post race parties, but sadly his constant touring meant this never happened.

Following a short lived Pink Floyd project that included the brilliant guitar of Neil Gordon, Ed thought that Neil also had the smoky voice along with his guitar skills to do justice to these songs....so after a LOT of persuasion, Neil agreed to give it a go. He has really embraced the music and the songs, and we think he's done a great job...we hope you think so too!

Check out the video clips HERE

Neil and and Ed are joined in the band by some guys who, it's fair to say have ' been around the block' a few times.

Mick Lown on guitar

Dave Williams on keys

Pez Connor on bass

These fellas know the ropes!

Chris Rea is not an easy guy to emulate, with that deep rich voice, and a distinct guitar style all of his own.

Chris has had very many well documented serious illnesses since the mid 1990's, that have limited the amount of live performances that he he can play. Of course, it's everyones hope that at some stage he can strap the guitar on again for a live show somewhere, but until then, we keep our fingers crossed.

He is still writing and recording, but the 'Life On The Road' has maybe wound down, as it inevitably does for all of us in later years.

There is still a HUGE fanbase that wants to see this music performed on the live stage, so while we appreciate that the real thing is always the best thing, we hope that we can take up the mantle in a small way and present these songs in a way that is a fitting tribute to this great musician.

So you can expect to hear songs like these in the setlist

Road To Hell

Auberge

Lets Dance

Texas

Josephine

Stainsby Girls

Working On It

So Far To Go

On The Beach

Fool If You Think Its Over

Jazzy Blue