Growing up, Paul Casey was deeply influenced by the music of Chris Rea, with his father often playing the legendary singer-songwriter’s songs at home.
Little did the guitarist from Londonderry know that this love for Rea’s music would lead to a personal friendship and collaboration, culminating in a new album where Casey reimagines some of Rea’s most iconic tracks.
The album, titled Rea-imagine, is set to be released next spring and will be performed live for the first time at the 2025 City of Derry Jazz Festival.
The inspiration for the album comes from Casey’s deep admiration for Rea, whom he credits as the reason he picked up the guitar.
“Chris Rea is the reason I play guitar,” Casey shared in an interview with BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today.
Rea, famous for hits like “Driving Home for Christmas” and “The Road to Hell,” has sold over 40 million records worldwide, and his music has had a lasting impact on Casey’s musical journey.
The two musicians’ bond stretches back almost two decades.
Their first meeting occurred backstage at a Chris Rea concert in Belfast’s Kings Hall, and during a second meeting in London, Paul handed Rea a demo tape of his music.
Rea, impressed by Casey’s voice and guitar style, reached out to him, and the two began working together.
Casey went on to tour with Rea as a support act, joined his band, and even served as his studio engineer for a time.
Paul recalled, “Sometimes I did have to pinch myself,” reflecting on his surreal experiences working with his musical idol.
Despite battling serious health issues, including the removal of his pancreas after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2001 and a stroke in 2016, Rea has continued to create music, though he has recently withdrawn from the public eye.
In 2023, Rea wrote “The Peace Bridge,” a song inspired by Derry’s iconic landmark, which Paul recorded.
The idea for Rea-imagine began to take shape following Paul’s performance at the Glastonbury Festival earlier this year.
During an interview with Hot Press, Rea mentioned how much Casey’s guitar style resembled his own, prompting Paul to consider an album that would honor Rea’s legacy.
A public relations friend suggested the title Rea-imagine, and the concept was born.
“I started recording songs, staying true to Chris’s style but giving them my own unique spin,” Paul explained.
He ensures that Rea is always part of the process, saying, “I send the tracks to Chris. I know I always have his blessing, as he knows I will stay true to his music.”
For Casey, reimagining Rea’s music isn’t just about performing it—it’s about honoring the songs that shaped his musical identity.
The album Rea-imagine promises to offer fresh takes on Chris Rea’s timeless hits, and with Casey’s authentic connection to the material, it’s sure to resonate with fans old and new.
Also read: Shirley Temple: The Child Star Who Saved Fox Studios And Shaped Hollywood History
