Hello friend - Chris Rea

Chris Rea has made some beautiful music during the course of this 30 year career. Recently there have been rumours of him retreating from the music scene, but he is still at it. In 1986, he released the album 'On the beach', from which this single, 'Hello friend' was taken. 'Driving home for Christmas', which would be released as a single on its own in 1988, makes its first appearance here on the B-side of the single. But there was more: the copy I bought in London in 1994 featured a second single with two lengthy live tracks, recorded in Montreux.

In August 2008, it was reported that Rea had donated 25,000 pounds to the Conservative Party. Fortunately, he's got more knowledge about making music than he has about politics.

My collection: 7" single no. 2185

Found: London, September 28, 1994

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Hello friend' / 'Driving home for Christmas' // 'It's all gone (live)' / 'Steel river (live)'

Download: here