Chris Rea ‎– Shamrock Diaries (40th Anniversary Edition) LP (Green Recycled Vinyl)

Chris Rea ‎– Shamrock Diaries (40th Anniversary Edition)

Legendary singer-songwriter Chris Rea is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his acclaimed album "Shamrock Diaries" with a special reissue on green recycled 1LP vinyl. Released in 1985, the album remains a fan favorite and a testament to Chris' musical legacy.

"Shamrock Diaries" was a deeply personal and introspective work inspired by Chris' Irish heritage and his own life experiences. The album's blunt honesty and emotional depth resonated with listeners and cemented Rea's reputation as a master storyteller.

Chris Rea's time in Ireland inspired the material for "Shamrock Diaries". In a recent interview included with the deluxe version of the 2019 album, Rea pointed out the similarities between Dublin and his hometown of Middlesbrough, which has a large Irish population. Chris Rea also has family connections to Ireland. Two of the album's most popular songs, "Stainsby Girls" and "Josephine", were written for his wife Joan and daughter Josephine respectively.

After his mother passed away, Chris returned to his hometown of Middlesbrough. He told Q Magazine that on his return he found that his childhood home had been demolished. The experience of not finding his childhood home after three years of extensive touring in Europe was so disorientating that it felt like a scene from a science fiction movie, and inspired him to write 'Steel River'.
"Chisel Hill", another of Chris' songs, is named after a house he bought near Roseberry Topping, a prominent hill south of Middlesbrough. Chris revealed that 'Chisel Hill' is an emotional song for him as it was written at a happy time in his life when he had a house and a child and his career was going well. He said that the person who wrote the song must have been happy and admitted that the song still touches him emotionally.

The 40th anniversary of "Shamrock Diaries" is a testament to Chris Rea's lasting impact on the music world. His ability to connect with listeners with his heartfelt lyrics and soulful melodies continues to inspire and delight fans of all ages.

Tracklist:
Side A:
1. Steel River 6:15
2. Stainsby Girls 3:51
3. Chisel Hill 4.04
4. Josephine 4:26
5. One Golden Rule 4:27

Side B:
1. All Summer Long 4:08
2. Stone 4:20
3. Shamrock Diaries 4:54
4. Love Turns To Lies 4:09
5. Hired Gun 8:00

Label: Warner
Released: 1985/2025