The Road To Freedom
Chris de Burgh
2004
Ferryman Productions

As someone who aspires to be a “weaver of words”, I am delighted to offer, this my review of the newest Chris de Burgh CD, The Road to Freedom. I am always looking to other, more experienced individuals who have the ability to spin beautiful garments from the threads of their minds. These talented architects give us the opportunity to try on their designs, like a magical coat. In this way, we get a real feeling for the message and emotions the creator is trying to convey with his or her fabric, and also the chance to relate their art to our own lives on more personal level. Someone once told me that there is a difference between “writers” and “authors”. The difference being, that a writer does so because his words come from his heart. The writer’s priority is to be true to himself and his work, and not to simply make a profit or gain fame. Whereas an author may be more motivated by the material benefits of his labor, like, recognition, or making money. I think this analogy a fitting one as far as The Road to Freedom is concerned. Like almost every Chris de Burgh listener, I had the irresistible urge to compare his new CD to his previous efforts. Especially since Chris himself made the claim one year ago that his newest endeavor would be a journey back to his musical roots. I still made the conscious decision to listen to The Road to Freedom as a piece of individual work- as something completely new. I wondered how it would speak to me, and how it would make me feel. I was curious to see the pictures this music would paint for me. What I saw, (and heard) was a very clear, well thought out portrait of a road leading to a completely new destination, but with very familiar faces and musical scenery along the way. I experienced the joy of an artist who finally felt unbound by all the outside influences of “the business” and was able to offer something of himself to the world-something from his heart, as a true writer.

The CD begins with, When Winter Comes, a most surprising instrumental offering from Chris, but the piece perfectly sets the mood of the CD with its soft, haunting, yet, hopeful quality.

The Road to Freedom conjures up many breathtaking, disturbing and thought provoking images. Mostly I was reminded of the biblical reference; “And they will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” This refers to the idea that peace will come when the people of the world stop making weapons of war, and start planting the seeds of peace. This concept is so clearly expressed in the title song of the CD and the poignant words, “but can this freedom send the rain when seed is in the ground? Can this freedom heal the pain and bring my boy back to me?” There is great power and passion to the music here as well.

Snow is Falling: Could be considered the words behind the feelings evoked by When Winter Comes. The simple repetition of the first line, and the forlorn, desperate quality to Chris' voice instantly gives the listener the impression of being in a dark, cold, forest. If you look closely, you may even be able to make out the stark figures of spirits- the lost and lonely souls moving through the mournful woods. These are the nameless, faceless victims of the violent actions of others. Even as times passes and seasons change, the cries of the victims and the sadness of their loved ones left behind will continue to whisper on the wind-the tragedy of their deaths not to be forgotten.

The Words I Love You: This is an ambitious, pop-oriented song that combines serious considerations with a catchy melody. Perhaps the easiness of the music is meant to keep the more significant message in the listener's head and heart- which is the absolute necessity for love and tolerance. The song begins at a level each one of us can identify with- that of the struggle within a family and the difficulties all family members face in dealing with one another. The song concludes on a more universal note, speaking of perhaps the most complex of all loves to achieve- the love we should have for our neighbors, and tolerance for beliefs that may be different from our own.

Songbird: This is a lovely, simply stated tribute to the late Eva Cassidy. What I find so interesting about this song is that the title and the lyrics relate so wonderfully to Ms. Cassidy's music. It has been said of her that perhaps she was not as well known as she could have been because her greatest desire was to simply sing meaningful songs. Here again is the theme of using one's gifts to share with others, while not being focused on what personal gains might be made. I think the words to this song reflect Eva's great love of music and how that came through loud and clear to her listeners, much like an angel’s song, and in turn brought others immeasurable joy.

Five Past Dreams: As advertised to be especially for those who wondered about what happened to that now infamous lady in the red dress and her less than observant lover who finally saw the light. It's a very romantic way to continue their story, and very visual in its presentation. Can't we all just picture the slightly tipsy man with his now wrinkled suit, undone bow-tie- sleepy- his head filled with clouds, and yet still clinging to his lady as the sun rises, not wanting to loose the closeness they have rediscovered? The song assures us that he loves his lady not just for the way she looks that particular night, but, even the next morning, and always. This kind of love is part of all of our dreams. The song has a classic 1940s feel to it, like that of the great songwriter, Cole Porter.

Here for You: It's difficult not to think of a particular, previous CdeB song with this one. Following Five Past Dreams which showed us a couple still in love after so many years. Here for You, could very well be showing us what became of that special little baby who made her father's heart shine with love and pride- forever changing his life- like all children do. The music in this song provides the right kind of uncomplicated background, subtle and smooth. This enables the listener to really focus on what is happening in the song, which is the bittersweet moment every parent must face. The realization that their child has a life of their own. Rosanna Davison lending her youthful voice to the tune makes it all the more significant. As I listen to this song, I can hear the long ago promise, “But never forget that I'm always there like a shadow by your side with the love that I have.”

What You Mean to Me: This song echoes the sentiment in Five Past Dreams, that of two lovers who have spent years of their lives together. They are taking some time to return to a favorite romantic spot and celebrate all they have been through- both good and bad- because the sum of their experiences has made their love stronger. The lyrics of the song, (particularly the Spanish) are what take the listener to that same street as the lovers walking arm- in- arm. We can see the silver moon glistening on their path, feel the excitement in the air, and get caught up in the magic of memory. Unfortunately, I find this song a little weak musically. More Latin guitar and less of the synthesized, generic sounding background music would have made the song much stronger. This will be a terrific song for the upcoming acoustic tour.

Rose of England: I think it is safe to say that every listener will find themselves thinking fondly back to the Crusader days here, but this song is a much more intimate tale than that of elaborate battles fought long ago. It tells the story of a strong, determined woman who during a time when women were not a very powerful presence in any society, goes against the tide and follows her own path. This song to me, is the embodiment of the CD as a whole. It begins with Chris de Burgh doing what he does so well, carrying on the tradition of the Celtic bard- the musical storyteller. The song tells of a young woman not only blessed with beauty, but also possessing an unbending will. This is elegantly, (in true Crusader tradition) illustrated in the lines; “Do you tell me that I can not wed the one I love? Do you tell me that I am not mistress of my heart?” A simple freedom most of us take for granted in this day and age. The woman in this song chooses not to follow the demands of the majority and the desires of people who neither know nor understand her. She does not take the easiest road, rather she decides to serve England alone, forced to leave her beloved behind in order to forge her own way and make an exceptional contribution to her country and to history. Musically and lyrically the song is Chris de Burgh at his best.

The Journey: Upon first hearing this song, I was drawn in by the strong, percussion-driven sound. It has a very rhythmic quality to it. After listening to the words, the music took on the impression of a heartbeat with its steady, constant, pulsing. That distinctive sound which reminds of life, and its absence, of death. We all can connect to the subject- the loss of a loved one, but Chris presents this material in a very mystical way. He ponders what lies beyond death. Do those who have passed still have an awareness of our presence here on earth? Do the bonds of love and friendship transcend even death? Can we look to the great magnificence in this life as reassurance that on the other side there awaits a place of light and love? The song is a deeply moving one for anyone who has lost someone they treasure. It speaks to our own fears and loneliness after such a passing, but also of the hope that death is not the end, but the beginning of yet another journey, down another unknown road.

Read My Name: A song that perfectly follows The Journey. Not only does it reaffirm the importance of living a valuable life, but is a testimony to the sheer glory and endless possibilities of life itself. The song also contains the strongest messages of the CD: the many and amazing opportunities we are given beginning at the moment of birth. The otherworldly considerations of universal travelers who may someday look to us, inhabitants of the planet earth to see what we have done with the lives we have been given. The importance of faith in oneself, and one's ability to make a difference. The idea that each of us has our own road to travel, and we must each do our best with what we have been given. And finally, although we are all unique in our talents and flaws, hopes and dreams, we are still tied together by this planet we all call home, therefore, we should never see ourselves as being alone in the universe. We are as novel as every, single star that lights up the night, and like the stars we have the chance to burn bright, and leave our indelible imprint, like our names, across the sky.

The Road to Freedom combines diverse musical styles: some songs having a more Latin flavor, some hearken back to the more orchestral, Celtic arrangements of Chris de Burgh's earlier days, some whisking us away to the late night ballrooms of the 1940s era, and some more pop oriented arrangements. Over all it is a CD with many musical and lyrical layers and textures. The artist has given us so much to see, hear, taste and feel. Like the many, intricate overlaying of a fine painting, this is a CD created by someone who wants us to see both his vision of a world built upon love, tolerance and peace, but also dares us to dream of our own personal vision to make such a world possible. Working and walking together, that is the only road to freedom.