For the casual listener, Chris Rea is often defined by the seasonal warmth of "Driving Home for Christmas" or the bluesy strut of "The Road to Hell." But for the audiophile, Rea is a master of tone—a guitarist whose rich, sliding vibrato and gravelly vocal delivery demand a sound system that can handle both the lowest lows and the smoothest highs.
The 2007 release, "Chris Rea - Greatest Hits," particularly in this 2CD EAC-FLAC edition, represents the definitive way to experience the British singer-songwriter’s storied career. It transforms a standard "best of" collection into a sonic journey through four decades of blues-rock mastery.
The power of the 2007 2CD set is its narrative arc. Let’s walk through the essential tracks.
Chris Rea is an artist who demands quality. His voice is a rumble of gravel and heartbreak; his slide guitar sings with harmonic overtones that cheap codecs destroy. The 2007 2CD Greatest Hits is arguably the best single-box overview of his career. When combined with an EAC secure rip encoded to FLAC, it becomes a reference-grade listening experience.
Whether you are rediscovering "Auberge" or hearing "Texas" for the first time, this specific digital release offers warmth, depth, and honesty. It respects the original 2007 master. It respects the artist. And for the audiophile, it respects the ear.
Seek out the FLAC. Check the log. Turn off the lights. And drive home—slowly—on the road to hell.
Are you a collector? Do you prefer the 2007 remaster or the original 80s vinyl pressings? Share your thoughts below.
Chris Rea - Greatest Hits (2007) - 2CD - EAC - FLAC: A Comprehensive Review
Chris Rea is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his smooth, soulful voice and impressive guitar playing skills. With a career spanning over four decades, Rea has released numerous hit albums and singles, earning him a loyal fan base worldwide. One of his most popular compilations is the "Greatest Hits" album, released in 2007. In this article, we will review the 2007 "Greatest Hits" album, specifically the 2CD edition, ripped using EAC (Exact Audio Copy) and encoded in FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec).
About Chris Rea
Born on March 14, 1951, in Middlesbrough, England, Chris Rea began his music career in the late 1970s. He gained popularity in the 1980s with his unique blend of rock, pop, and blues. Rea's music often features his virtuosic guitar playing and soothing vocals, which have captivated audiences for decades. Some of his most famous hits include "Flying Home," "The Road to Heaven," and "On the Border."
The Greatest Hits Album
The "Greatest Hits" album, released in 2007, is a comprehensive compilation of Chris Rea's most popular songs. The 2CD edition features a total of 34 tracks, showcasing Rea's extensive discography. The album includes hits from his early days to his most recent releases, providing a perfect overview of his musical journey.
Tracklist
The tracklist for the 2007 "Greatest Hits" album is as follows:
CD 1:
CD 2:
EAC and FLAC: Ensuring Audio Quality
The 2007 "Greatest Hits" album, specifically the 2CD edition, has been ripped using EAC (Exact Audio Copy), a software tool renowned for its accuracy in creating perfect digital copies of CDs. The audio files are encoded in FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec), ensuring that the music is stored in a high-quality, lossless format. This combination guarantees that the listener experiences the music in its purest form, with no loss of detail or quality.
Benefits of EAC and FLAC
Using EAC and FLAC provides several benefits:
Conclusion
The 2007 "Greatest Hits" album, specifically the 2CD edition, is an excellent compilation of Chris Rea's most popular songs. With its comprehensive tracklist and high-quality audio, this album is a must-have for fans of Chris Rea. The use of EAC and FLAC ensures that the audio files are of the highest quality, providing a listening experience that is second to none. Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering Chris Rea's music, this album is sure to delight.
Technical Specifications
Download and Listen
If you're interested in downloading or listening to Chris Rea's "Greatest Hits" album, ensure that you obtain it from a reputable source that provides high-quality audio files. You can find the album on various music streaming platforms or purchase it from online music stores.
Chris Rea's Legacy
Chris Rea's music has left a lasting impact on the music industry. With a career spanning over four decades, he has inspired numerous artists and musicians. His smooth, soulful voice and exceptional guitar playing skills have captivated audiences worldwide. The "Greatest Hits" album serves as a testament to his enduring legacy, showcasing his most popular songs and cementing his place as one of the greatest musicians of all time.
Final Thoughts
The 2007 "Greatest Hits" album, specifically the 2CD edition, is an excellent addition to any music collection. With its comprehensive tracklist, high-quality audio, and use of EAC and FLAC, this album provides a listening experience that is second to none. Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering Chris Rea's music, this album is sure to delight. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the smooth sounds of Chris Rea's "Greatest Hits" album.
This 2007 collection is less of a standard "best-of" and more of a masterclass in atmosphere. Spanning two discs, it captures the evolution of
from a polished pop-rocker into the gravel-voiced, slide-guitar bluesman he was always meant to be. Presented here in
(lossless) quality, the production truly shines. Rea’s signature slide guitar work is famously liquid, and in this high-fidelity format, you can hear the grit in his "Stax-meets-Middlesbrough" vocal delivery. It’s the kind of audio that demands a long drive or a very comfortable chair. The Highlights The Big Guns: You get the essential cinematic anthems like "The Road to Hell (Pt. 2)" and the breezy, timeless "On the Beach."
Disc one leans into the radio-friendly hits that made him a household name in the 80s and 90s, while disc two often touches on his deeper, bluesier inclinations. The Standout: "Driving Home for Christmas"
is included, but because it's nestled among moody tracks like "Auberge,"
it feels less like a seasonal novelty and more like a piece of genuine songwriting craft. The Verdict
If you only know Rea from his radio singles, this 2CD set is a revelation of his range. It’s "grown-up" music in the best way possible—sophisticated, slightly melancholic, and technically flawless. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a newcomer looking for the definitive entry point, this collection proves that Rea is one of the most underrated guitarists of his generation. track-by-track breakdown of the second disc, or perhaps a comparison to his Blue Guitars
In 2007, British singer-songwriter saw several major retrospective releases, but for audiophiles, the definitive way to experience his gravelly baritone and masterful slide guitar is through a high-fidelity EAC-FLAC rip of his 2-CD Greatest Hits. The Definitive Collection of a Guitar Legend Driving Home for Christmas
The Legendary Hits of Chris Rea
It was a chilly winter evening in 2007 when Chris Rea's fans gathered to celebrate the music of a legend. Chris Rea, the renowned British singer-songwriter and guitarist, had been entertaining audiences for decades with his soulful voice and mastery of the blues-rock genre. Chris Rea - Greatest Hits -2007- -2CD- -EAC-FLAC-
To commemorate his illustrious career, a special compilation album was released: "Chris Rea - Greatest Hits - 2007 - 2CD - EAC-FLAC". This 2-CD set featured a curated selection of Chris Rea's most beloved songs, showcasing his incredible talent and versatility as a musician.
The first CD began with the iconic hit "The Road to Heaven", a song that had become an anthem for many of Chris Rea's devoted fans. The album then took listeners on a musical journey through his greatest successes, including "Stainsby Girl", "On the Beach", and "Looking for the Heart of the World".
The second CD was just as impressive, featuring fan favorites like "Josephine" and "I Can Hear Your Voice". Each song was meticulously remastered from the original recordings, ensuring that the sound quality was exceptional. The EAC-FLAC format guaranteed that audiophiles could indulge in the purest, most authentic sound experience possible.
As fans listened to the compilation, they were transported back to the memories they had made while dancing to Chris Rea's music, singing along to his heartfelt lyrics, and appreciating the beauty of his guitar playing. For many, this greatest hits album was more than just a collection of songs – it was a tribute to Chris Rea's enduring legacy and his ability to touch hearts through his art.
Over the years, "Chris Rea - Greatest Hits - 2007 - 2CD - EAC-FLAC" became a treasured possession for fans worldwide, a testament to the timeless appeal of Chris Rea's music. Even though the album was released over a decade ago, its magic continued to inspire new generations of music lovers, ensuring that Chris Rea's remarkable talent and accomplishments would be cherished for years to come.
The album Chris Rea - Greatest Hits (2007) is a 2-CD compilation released under the Star Mark label (catalog LDB 5194-1/2). Often circulated in high-quality EAC-FLAC (Exact Audio Copy - Free Lossless Audio Codec) format, this release features 36 tracks spanning his most successful blues-rock and pop eras. CD 1 The Road To Hell (Pt. 2) Auberge The Blue Cafe Josephine On The Beach Looking For The Summer Sweet Summer Day All Summer Long Where Do We Go From Here Driving Home For Christmas Fool (If You Think It's Over) Still Beautiful Stick By You I Just Wanna Be With You King Of The Beach Nothing To Fear Johnny Needs A Fast Car CD 2 That's What They Always Say Windy Town Thinking Of You God's Great Banana Skin Two Roads Keep On Dancing Texas Let's Dance You Must Be Evil Waiting For A Blue Sky Stainsby Girls God Gave Me An Angel Changing Times Julia Tell Me There's A Heaven I Can Hear Your Heartbeat Winter Song Gone Fishing Sing A Song Of Love To Me Chris Rea - Greatest Hits(2CD) (2007) - allflac.com
If you find a file labeled "Chris Rea - Greatest Hits -2007- -2CD- -EAC-FLAC-," you are looking at a digital copy made by a perfectionist. Let’s break down why this matters.
In an era of compressed streaming and lossy MP3s, the mention of EAC (Exact Audio Copy) and FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) in this release is a promise of purity.
This isn't a "loudness war" remaster designed to blare from tinny phone speakers. This is a bit-perfect rip of the original dual-disc set. For an artist like Rea, whose music relies heavily on atmospheric production—from the synthesized strings of "On the Beach" to the intricate guitar work in "Stony Road"—the FLAC format ensures that no sonic detail is lost. You aren't just hearing the song; you are hearing the master tape.
While many "Greatest Hits" albums squeeze the radio edits onto a single disc, this 2007 edition spreads the wealth across two CDs, allowing for a deeper dive into Rea’s catalog.
Disc One serves as the "Hits" collection. It is essential listening for anyone looking to understand Rea's commercial peak in the late 80s and early 90s. The production here is glossy and polished. Tracks like "The Road to Hell (Part 2)" benefit immensely from the lossless treatment; the ominous, spoken-word intro and the subsequent driving bassline are rendered with a clarity that sends shivers down the spine. Similarly, "Josephine" and "Let’s Dance" showcase Rea’s ability to blend pop sensibility with his signature slide guitar.
Disc Two acts as a "Best of the Rest," exploring the bluesier, more introspective side of his career. It is here that the audiophile nature of this release truly shines. Songs like "Stony Road" and "Easy Rider" are stripped back, relying on raw guitar tones and Rea’s world-weary voice. The FLAC compression allows the listener to hear the fingers sliding on the fretboard and the breath behind the vocals, creating an intimate, "in-the-room" atmosphere.
Because the "EAC-FLAC" tag is desirable, pirates often label low-quality MP3s as FLAC. Here is how to verify Chris Rea - Greatest Hits (2007): Driving Home for Christmas: The Audiophile Experience of
.log file. Open it in Notepad. You should see lines like: "Copy mode: Secure" and "Read offset correction: 6." If there is no log file, be suspicious.