Soon after Paul Casey’s album Songs In Open Tuning received a 9 out of 10 review from Jackie Hayden in Hot Press last year, Casey spoke on the phone to long-time mentor and friend Chris Rea. Chris and his management were impressed with the review and it prompted talk of the young Derry guitarist, singer and songwriter supporting Rea on his farewell tour. But it was just talk at that stage…
Some weeks later a friend called Casey to tell him that he was billed in a Sunday Mirror ad as special guest on the 23-date Chris Rea Ireland and UK tour – and so began another chapter in the unique relationship between legendary guitarist Rea and the unassuming Derry musician. Their friendship goes back to the time Casey, then a teenager, managed to slip backstage during a Chris Rea soundcheck at the King’s Hall, Belfast. Remarkably accommodating, Rea demonstrated his slide guitar technique in detail to Casey, who took it all in.
Three years on, he posted a demo to Rea, not expecting to hear anything back. A few days later, he received a phone call. Assuming it was a friend playing a joke, he almost hung up on Rea’s secretary, when she asked if he'd take a call from Chris. It was the real thing, though, and what was on offer was an invitation to come to London, to play and record with Rea’s band.
Thus was the mutual friendship and respect between the two musicians cemented. And what music: a prolific songwriter, Chris Rea is also one of the finest exponents of modern blues guitar, while the unique sound of Paul Casey’s critically acclaimed album has been compared to artists as diverse as Damien Rice, Gomez, the John Butler Trio, Ben Harper, The Chemical Brothers and the Dave Matthews Band.
Chris Rea has sold over 22 million albums worldwide – but for no other reason than his innate decency and love of Paul Casey’s music he has become a guiding force and inspiration for the career of an up-and-coming Irish artist. To celebrate this, Paul Casey wrote his personal account of life on the road as part of the Chris Rea tour – during which he played to 55,000 people – especially for Hot Press. Below is an extract, culminating in the final, triumphant show at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre.
Sat 22 April City Hall, HULL
So far the tour has gone very smoothly. I’ve worked with Chris and his crew for many years now, so I know how it runs – it’s all very down to earth and normal. Ten years ago, I recorded an album with Chris at his studio in Berkshire, and it was the best education I could ever have received about the music business. There was no bullshit, just music and good craic. The touring can take its toll on you, but I find I can’t wait till the next gig – you’re constantly arriving in a strange city, sound-check, gig, then on to another destination the next morning. Almost 2,000 at the venue in Hull – good gig. Wrote a song called ‘Find My Way Home’ today, which might be one for the new album – bit of a Jeff Buckley vibe to it – I hope!
Sun 23 April Royal Concert Hall, NOTTINGHAM
Since the start of the tour, Chris has been inviting me to join him and the band for the final song of every gig. It’s a great buzz to be on stage playing with the band. There was a huge reaction from the 2,500 crowd tonight and Chris got a standing ovation. All the albums I brought to sell on the tour have been sold at this stage, so I’ve had to get a new batch pressed in record time, which should arrive at the hotel in Birmingham tomorrow.
Mon 24 April The Symphony Hall, BIRMINGHAM
Good reaction tonight. I’ve been very surprised to see how well Chris’ audiences are taking to what I’m doing. The bad news is that the CDs won’t get here until tomorrow, but the inlays arrived today, which means I’ll spend tomorrow packing a few hundred inlays and CDs into jewel cases. The glamour of it! We returned to the Symphony Hall in Birmingham tonight, having played there last week. Both gigs were filmed, so it’ll be interesting to see how that looks. Got a few beers in with Chris and the band after the show.
Tues 25 April The Hammersmith Apollo, LONDON
Got to London early this morning. The gig was in the Hammersmith Apollo, which has a capacity of more than 3,300. It was like a homecoming gig for Chris, as his family and friends all came. When we arrived at the venue a hand-delivered letter was waiting in the production office for me. It was from the comedian Mel Smith. As I read it, I wondered if I had met him somewhere before. I came to the conclusion that I hadn’t but apparently he wanted to meet me!? So ‘Zop’, the tour manager, called him and invited him to the after-show party. He came, we met, and I definitely wasn’t the guy he’d been expecting! When I had walked out onto the stage for my set, his wife said, “Isn’t this guy supposed to be about 50?!” In the end, it transpired that Mel thought he was coming to hear Paul Brady – but, hey, I made a new friend anyway! At one stage, people used to mix me up with Paddy Casey, and I have been asked a few times if I’m Paul Casey the golfer, but this was a new one. I’m a big fan of Paul Brady and Mel Smith anyway, so it was an amusing mix-up…
Wed 26 April Metro Club, LONDON
Last night was a big one and I got a bit tiddly. Apparently I was wandering around the hotel in the early hours of the morning. I do that sometimes! But I got back to my room in almost one piece. Woke up at 2:30pm. Had to get myself together then. Played the Metro Club in London tonight, supporting Columbia-signed band Vega4. Great gig, packed venue and Vega4 were in brilliant form.
Thurs 27 April The Waterfront Hall, BELFAST
Flew into Belfast today. Soundchecked early and got some coffee. Started putting down some riffs and lyrics in the afternoon for a couple of new songs. Shattered after the gig.
Fri 28 April The Olympia Theatre, DUBLIN
Got to the Olympia at lunchtime. It’s one of my favourite venues. Staying in the Merrion Hotel tonight, which is a little bit posh – but then some of the hotels have been crazy. The one in Oxford used to be a prison and they had turned it into a five star hotel – it looked like it was straight out of The Shawhank Redemption, except with room service and nice beds. Dunno how I’ll get back to cooking my own dinner. The Dublin crowd was amazing. Chris brought the house down, with encore after encore. This was his last ever gig as ‘Chris Rea’ and as the curtains closed for the final time, he pointed towards me, and his last words to the audience were, “This is your own Paul Casey – go and buy his album.” It was a gesture that, for me, epitomised the giving nature of a true gentleman and musical genius.
The way I see it, this is a great job. It can get a little mad sometimes but that’s all part of it. You often hear bands or singers complaining about what comes with the job. There will be hard times obviously like any career, but so few are given the chance to do this for a living. Looking back over the month on the road with Chris, I had an amazing experience. Working with an artist like Chris has allowed me see how to remain grounded, even when you’ve so many opportunities to go off the rails.
CHRIS REA’S STONY ROAD
A man of few gestures and words, Chris Rea plays his own unique style of blues. He didn’t pick up a guitar until the age of 19, but he has gone on too develop a highly personal approach, mastering the use of the slide or bottleneck. Some years ago Chris fell ill with a pancreatic condition and underwent several complicated operations; he was given no more than a one in three chance of survival. His last thought, as the mask went on in the operating theatre was, "When I get out, I’m going to make the record I’ve always wanted to." That ambition kept him going. Since his recovery, he released the marvellous Dancing Down the Stony Road to widespread critical acclaim, and more recently Blue Guitars, an extraordinary 11-album box set, containing 130 new songs. Keen to distance himself from his days as a chart contender, Rea has decided to give up touring under his own name. For his next venture, he will appear with his band The Fireflies.

Paul Casey’s album Songs In Open Tuning is out now. For more information see www.paulcaseymusic.com or http://www.myspace.com/paulcasey