Christopher Rees.co.uk

Home of Singer Songwriter Christopher Rees

Download 'Sparks Flying' (Single) from i-Tunes!!!

To Watch the video for the 'Solo Acoustic' version of Sparks Flying click here...

October Newsletter!!!

Check out the latest Christopher Rees e-mail newsletter: http://t.co/PNCj2Cb2

Sparks Flying - Radio Mix / Solo Acoustic / Instrumental (SINGLE RELEASE!)

Release Date : 24th October 2011

Artist : Christopher Rees (with The South Austin Horns)

Title : 

1. Sparks Flying (Radio Mix)

2. Sparks Flying (Solo Acoustic)

3. Sparks Flying (Instrumental)

Label : Red Eye Music

“I love this record...I think it's absolutely terrific”. (Bob Harris – BBC Radio 2)

“Fine old-school country soul...The South Austin Horns provide shades of Muscle Shoals”. (UNCUT)

“An old school soul revue, heavy on stabbing brass and greasy Hammond”. (MOJO) 

“Startlingly confident country soul”. (BBC.CO.UK)

“A soul-drenched album that smacks of vintage Stax”. (Maverick)

Christopher Rees will release Sparks Flying as a download single on the 24^th October 2011. Taken from the widely acclaimed album 'Heart On Fire', (with The South Austin Horns) the single will feature a fresh 'Radio Mix' of the album favourite,along with an intimate, stripped down 'Solo acoustic' version recorded recently in an old Cardiff Chapel. The acoustic rendition is included due to popular demand at Rees' solo gigs, and reflects the way the song was originally written before it was transformed into the hook laden, full band interpretation presented on the album.

Recorded in Texas, USA with 'The South Austin Horns',Heart On Fire has been championed by MOJO magazine and legendary broadcaster Bob Harris amongst others,who didn't hold back with their praisefor the album. Heart On Firepresents a more soulful and uplifting side to Rees' music fuelled by a rich horn section, swirling Hammond organ, tremolo soaked guitars and his ever passionate voice. Critical acclaim came flooding in with 4 star reviews from national music magazines MOJO,UNCUT, and BBC Musicamongst others. "An authentic and heartfelt artist. A master of musical and vocal prowess". (Americana-UK)

Fresh from a busy summer of festival performances including Glastonbury, a 'Live Session' for The Bob Harris Show on BBC Radio 2, a UK tour with American soul sensation Eli Paperboy Reed and live dates in Europe, Rees heads out on tour again with another legendary American figure - Austin's Alejandro Escovedo in October. He will also make a special appearance with his 'Full Band & Horns' at Cardiff's SWN Festival on October 22^nd. Please see forthcoming live dates below...

Christopher Rees – Live Dates...

10^th Oct 2011 – Fibbers, York (w/ Alejandro Escovedo)

11^th Oct 2011 – The Iron Works, Oswestry

12^th Oct 2011 – St Bonaventures, Bristol (w/ Alejandro Escovedo)

13^th Oct 2011 – The Glee Club, Nottingham (w/ Alejandro Escovedo)

14^th Oct 2011 – Tingewick Village Hall, Bucks (w/ Alejandro Escovedo)

15^th Oct 2011 – The Railway Inn, Winchester (w/ Alejandro Escovedo)

22^nd Oct 2011 – SWN Festival, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff (w/ Full Band & Horns)

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The Netherlands - Tour Sept 2011

A BIG THANKS to everyone who came out to see the shows on my short little tour of The Netherlands. Especially to all at MFC (Metal Front Coevorden) for a particularly enjoyable and memorable night! Here's a link to some cool photos from the show...   http://s407.photobucket.com/albums/pp154/digiturf/Christopher%20Rees%2024-09-11/?albumview=slideshow

Christopher Rees 'Live Session' on Bob Harris Show (BBC Radio 2)

Christopher Rees performed a 'Live Session' on The Bob Harris Show, BBC Radio 2 on Sunday August 7th.

He was accompanied by Simon Rooney (piano) and Edward James Mugford (guitar) and performed 3 songs from the new album Heart On Fire. Rees discussed the making of the album and the collaboration with The South Austin Horns in Texas and played stripped down versions of Heart On Fire, Sparks Flying and Morning Light. You can listen again to the session until Saturday August 13th via the Bob Harris Sunday Radio 2 webpage 

Christopher Rees to support 'Eli Paperboy Reed & The True Loves' UK Tour

Christopher Rees is very pleased to announce that he will be opening for the fantastic
Eli Paperboy Reed & The True Loves on their August 2011 UK tour.

Glastonbury 2011 - Here we come...

Christopher Rees is very excited to be taking his full band and horn section to Glastonbury 2011. If you are going to be there don't miss them play new album 'Heart On Fire' live on 'The Croissant Neuf Stage' - Fri 24th at 7pm.

MOJO Honours List 'New Voice' Award.

Christopher Rees - shortlisted for a MOJO Honours List 'New Voice' Award.

BIG THANKS to everyone who voted. VOTING IS NOW CLOSED!!!

Twitter!!!

Join the Christopher Rees Facebook 'Official Page'.

CR & Band - Live Footage from 'Heart On Fire' Album Launch Gig in Cardiff!!!

Check out live video footage from the 'Heart On Fire' album launch gig at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 13th May 2011 here...

Christopher Rees - 5th album 'Heart On Fire' OUT 9th May 2011.

"I love this record...I think it's absolutely terrific".                   (Bob Harris - BBC Radio 2)

“Fine old-school country soul...The South Austin Horns provide shades of Muscle Shoals”. (UNCUT)

"An old school soul revue, heavy on stabbing brass and greasy hammond". (MOJO) ****

" Startlingly confident country soul". (BBC.CO.UK)

“A soul-drenched album that smacks of the vintage Stax”. (Maverick)

BUY HEART ON FIRE HERE...

Artist : Christopher Rees (with The South Austin Horns)

Title : Heart On Fire

Release Date : 9th MAY 2011

Davy Crockett once famously said, “You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas”. Well, the motivation may have been somewhat different but that's exactly what Welshman Christopher Rees did for his fifth album, 'Heart On Fire'. With a bag full of songs that called out for an authentic American horn section Rees went to Austin, Texas to record with 'The South Austin Horns'. The result is a wonderful transatlantic collaboration that sparks and smoulders with warmth and soul.

The plan was hatched a year earlier after one of Rees' performances at the SXSW Music Festival when a chance meeting with The South Austin Horns leader Mark Wilson (Alejandro Escovedo, Burning Spear), lead to a late night discussion about music, a shared love of vintage Stax recordings and an ever expanding collection of songs that Rees had written under the influence of beloved Southern Soul song writers like Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham. Rees said, “I'd been stockpiling songs for some time that leant in that direction, but I felt they required a horn section to do them justice. I'd put them to one side, but when I met Mark it seemed like the perfect opportunity, so I suggested that we work together”.

Rees decamped to Austin for 3 weeks last year to arrange the horn parts with Wilson before joining forces with veteran trombonist Charles Dickey and Trumpet player Ricky White. The parts clicked immediately and injected the songs with the dynamic punch and power that Rees had envisioned. Additional piano and Hammond organ parts provided the finishing touches upon Rees' return to Wales.

Written and produced entirely by Rees, Heart On Fire might sound like a change of direction for an artist recently seen plucking a banjo and stamping his feet on tour with Americana greats like Steve Earle, Kristin Hersh, The Sadies, The Handsome Family and Chuck Prophet.

But as MOJO Editor, Phil Alexander commented on the 2007 album Cautionary Tales, Rees' songs have always been, “Full of simmering soul”. And there's plenty of that trademark twang and tremolo here to support Rees' ever emotional and distinctive voice. While the scenery that surrounds these songs and the lyrical substance they contain is more immediately accessible and optimistic than people have come to expect from someone who's last album, Devil's Bridge mainly consisted of murder ballads, Heart On Fire is still unmistakably a Christopher Rees record. The rockabilly energy remains in songs like Warm By My Fire, while the title track and Raise The Battle Cry present uplifting gospel. Other highlights include the radio friendly Sparks Flying and the explosive In The Middle Of The Night.

With four critically acclaimed albums already under his belt, Welsh singer, song writer Christopher Rees has covered a lot of ground both musically and geographically in the last few years. Heart On Fire is another fascinating chapter in that journey. It's an album that celebrates Rees' passion and commitment towards music, love, life and his dedication to the art of serving the song.

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Christopher Rees will tour the UK from May including Glastonbury Festival and more TBC.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALBUM COVER SHOT...

2010

Howdy Folks,
Well, upon reflection 2010 was a pretty productive and successful year!
I guess some of the highlights must be...

- Touring the Netherlands in the January snow.

- Recording with The South Austin Horns in Austin, Texas.

- Performing live with The South Austin Horns & Band at SXSW, Austin, Texas.

- Gigs and co-songwriting on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee.

- UK tour with Chuck Prophet

- Playing festival gigs (Crossant Neuf, Green Man etc) with the band.

- Opening for Steve Earle in Cambridge and Cardiff.

- Wales theatre tour with the Nashville's 'Cherryhlomes'.

- 4 UK tour dates with 'The Sadies'.

- Finishing the new album 'Heart On Fire'! (more details to follow on this...)

and ofcourse lots more adventures inbetween ;-)

Thank you to everyone who has leant an ear, their support and encouragement this year.

I hope that you all had a good year and look forward to an even better one in 2011.

See you soon.
Big love and best wishes,
Chris.x

The Sadies & Christopher Rees

Christopher Rees is delighted to announce that he will be supporting Tornoto, Canada's finest purveyors of twisted country, psych, surf, rock'n'roll and everything inbetween - THE SADIES at 4 UK dates in Novemeber and December.

The dates are...

Nov 29th-The Railway, Winchester

Nov 30th-Relentless Garage, London

Dec 1st-The Globe, Cardiff

Dec 2nd-The Polish Club, Bristol

Christopher Rees will perform solo in Winchester and will be joined by his band in both Cardiff and Bristol.

The Sadies are truely one of the most exciting and thrilling live bands around and these shows promise to be a real treat!
So it's recommended that you get your tickets quick smart to avoid missing out!

Check out...

www.thesadies.net

www.myspace.com/thesadies

Cherryholmes & Christopher Rees (Wales Tour - October 2010)

Christopher Rees to support Nashville's Cherryholmes in a tour of Welsh theatres in October 2010.

Christopher Rees will open for Nashville based, Grand Ole Opry endorsed, Grammy nominated, Bluegrass award winning family band Cherryholmes in October 2010.

The tour will visit 6 theatres around the length and breadth of Wales from Abergavenny to Pontypridd, Caernarfon, Cardigan, Harlech and back to Swansea.

‎11/10/10 - Borough Theatre, Avergavenny (w/ Cherryholmes)

12/10/10 - Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd (w/Cherryholmes)

14/10/10 - Galeri, Caernarfon (w/ Cherryholmes)

15/10/10 - Theatre Mwldan, Cardigan (w/Cherryholmes)

16/10/10 - Theatr Harlech, ...Harlech (w/Cherryholmes)

17/10/10 - Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea (w/Cherryholmes)

Please check visit...

http://cherryholmes.musiccitynetworks.com/

or

http://www.myspace.com/cherryholmesband

for more info on Cherryholmes

Also if you are on Facebook please join

The Official Christopher Rees Facebook Page

STEVE EARLE dates September 5th & 7th 2010!!!

I'm very pleased and excited to announce that I'll be opening for / supporting the mighty
STEVE EARLE at
Cambridge Corn Exchange on Sunday 5th September, 2010
and
St David's Hall, Cardiff on Tuesday 7th September, 2010
These dates will be solo performances from both Steve Earle and I.
Check...
http://steveearle.com/tour.html
for venue details and tickets.

Album Number 5...

I'm currently working hard finishing up the as yet untitled 5th album which was partly recorded in Austin, Texas in March 2010 with 'The South Austin Horns'.
I'll come out of hiding in August for a few festival appearances with the full band. Please see 'Live' page for details. See you soon...x

CHUCK PROPHET UK TOUR - MAY 2010.

Christopher Rees is thrilled to have been invited to open for the great Chuck Prophet on his forthcoming UK tour in May 2010. Please see 'Live Section' for venue details and dates.

Visit the Chuck Prophet website here...

http://www.chuckprophet.com/

Christopher Rees & The South Austin Horns!!!

Christopher Rees is now in Austin, Texas recording with The South Austin Horns for a new album, prior to performing at the SXSW Music Festival on March 17th, 18th & 19th. Please see 'Live' section for more details of venues etc...

VISIT THE NEW SHOP!!!

The new Red Eye Music online Shop is now up and running.
Buy all Christopher Rees albums
here...Red Eye Music Shop

Download DEVIL'S BRIDGE!!!!

Devil's Bridge is available to download from May 4th. Click the link below to buy from i-Tunes.

It will be available in the shops from May 11th 2009.

THE HANDSOME FAMILY - IRELAND TOUR JUNE 2009

Christopher Rees is very pleased to announce that he will join The Handsome Family for 5 dates around Ireland in June 2009.

03 June–Crane Lane, Cork
04 June–Whelans, Dublin 
05 June–The Errgial Inn, Belfast
06 June–Roisin Dubh, Galway
07 June–Cleere’s, Kilkenny

It will be Rees's first tour of Ireland. "I've been wanting to tour Ireland for a long time so to finally have the opportunity to do so in such wonderful company as The Handsome Family and in such great venues is very exciting", said Rees.

KRISTIN HERSH - UK TOUR MAY 2009

Christopher Rees is delighted to announce that he's been invited to join Kristin Hersh on her UK tour in May 2009. "Kristin has always been one of my biggest inspirations and I'm very excited about the tour". said Chris. See 'LIVE' section for gig details...

MOJO Club @ The Great Escape (w/Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys & The Handsome Family

Christopher Rees will join the line up at this years Great Escape Festival in Brighton on Thursday May 14th at the prestigious Old Market venue.
He has been invited to open the MOJO Club night on a fantastic bill that also boasts superb American artists Dan Auerbach (of The Black Keys) & The Handsome Family.

www.myspace.com/danauerbachmusic

www.myspace.com/thehandsomefamily

www.escapegreat.com

BBC Wales Music - Interview

Click on the link below to read
BBC Wales Music - Interview

NEW ALBUM - MAY 4TH 2009

Fourth Album delivers a potent cocktail of menacing murder blues, tremulous rockabilly and intoxicating country roots.

Following his critically acclaimed 2007 album Cautionary Tales, “A genuinely roots affair…that deserves to be admired”,(Fred Dellar – MOJO) Welsh singer, song writer, multi instrumentalist and producer Christopher Rees has developed his narrative storytelling even further with his fourth album Devil’s Bridge.

Largely revolving around compelling tales of murder and misconduct, he also incorporates themes like curiosity, karma, confessions, mortality, sacrifice, shadows, heaven, hell, desolation, imprisonment, conviction and awakeningto create his most disarmingly upbeat and immediate record yet.

With ‘Prescott’s Confession’ he adopts a traditional Murder ballad lyric from 1833 and delivers a brand new banjo stomp, while self-penned originals like ‘What Walks Outside My Window?’ (Released as a digital download single on 6TH April 2009) and ‘Shadows In The Night’ sound as if they could’ve come from a 50’s Rockabilly session at Sun Studio in Memphis (a place Rees visited as part of his musical pilgrimage through Tennessee last year). The presence of veteran rockabilly guitarists Pete Mathison (Ray Davies) and John Lewis (The Rimshots) also help inject a certain vintage authenticity with a nod in the direction of Elvis, Cash, Johnny Burnette and Gene Vincent.

 Katy Rowe adds her irresistible violin to the frenzied bluegrass of ‘Kicked Out By Love’ and drummer Dan Tilbury (The Snakes, Redlands Palomino Company) provides inspired drumming throughout. Rees stretches himself to take care of all other instrumentation including guitars, banjo, mandolin, lap steel, church organ, piano, bass, choral backing voices and chapel shaking, foot stamping, hand clapping percussion!

 Devil’s Bridge is clearly informed by Rees’ love of Americana in all its diverse and dynamic glory. From Rock’n’Roll to Bluegrass, Gospel, Blues, Country, Spaghetti Western, Rockabilly and Appalachian Folk it’s all there.  The cinematic tremolo guitars so favoured by QuentinTarantino and David Lynch also provide some enticing atmosphere but as the 12 piece choral sections to songs like ‘All Our Beds Are Made’ and ‘World’s Fall Apart Everyday’ show, there remains something quintessentially Welsh about it.

Titled Devil’s Bridge because the album was predominantly recorded in a mountain retreat near the village of the same name in Ceredigion, Mid Wales and because of its connotations to the subject matter, it sees Rees take another giant step forward on a journey that becomes ever more fascinating and rewarding with each new album.

NEW SINGLE - APRIL 6TH 2009

Christopher Rees makes a barnstorming return with ‘What Walks Outside My Window?’

The first single from his forthcoming 4th album ‘Devil’s Bridge’ will be released by Red Eye Music on April 6TH 2009 as a digital download via i-Tunes etc...

Dylan Thomas Fringe Festival Video!

Here's a lil bit of film of Christopher Rees performing 'Prescott's Confession' at The Dylan Thomas Fringe Festival in Swansea on November 7th 2008. The lunchtime audience was pretty small but the natural reverb in the Waterfront Museum Atrium was huge! Click HERE to view it.

The Stranglers!!!!!!

In a last minute addition Christopher Rees was invited to open for legendary 70's punk survivors The Stranglers at Cardiff University on Thursday October 16th. He will also open for The Stranglers at Aberystwyth Arts Center on Friday October 17th.
See 'Live' section for more gig details...

Billy Joe Shaver - Support @ The Luminaire, London.

Christopher Rees will be opening for Texas Country legend Billy Joe Shaver at The Luminaire in London on Sunday September 14th. (see 'Live' section or Here for details).