Chris de Burgh's storytelling prowess comes into fruition on Spanish Train and Other Stories as he carefully grasps the listener's attention with his soft-spoken candor. With songs that are reminiscent of tales told to a young child by his bedside, de Burgh captivates his audience with his serene anecdotes that are enhanced by the music that envelops him. The opening "Spanish Train" is a mysterious yarn about a chess match between God and the Devil, where the victor inherits the soul of a dying train engineer. de Burgh's vocal escalation from serene to flamboyant makes this one of his best songs, as does the marvelous twist at the end of the story. "A Spaceman Came Travelling" has de Burgh blanketing his wispy voice in a tale about the birth of Jesus, only his version substitutes the Star of Bethlehem for an alien visitor who has arrived to reveal a startling message. With "Patricia the Stripper," de Burgh proves that his sense of humor has not escaped him, as the baroque melody and playful banter make this tune one of his most spirited. Both musically appealing and lyrically thought-provoking, it is this style of narrative that causes Spanish Train to be one of his best albums. Even the forlorn tone of the piano in "Lonely Sky" invokes sadness and melancholy with perfection, coupled with de Burgh's vacant air. All the songs on Spanish Train capture de Burgh's flair for singing elegant pieces that are sincerely attractive, all the while illustrating his pliable vocal stylishness. ~ Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide
Chris de Burgh (Guitar), Chris Mercer (Saxophone), Tony Reeves (String Bass), Richard Hewson (String Arrangements), Chris de Burgh (Piano), Chris Laurence (Bass), Ken Freeman (Synthesizer), Richard Hewson (Brass Arrangement), Robert Kirby (String Arrangements), Richard Hewson (Arranger), Robert Kirby (Choir Arrangement), Robert Kirby (Synthesizer Arrangements), Mick Eve (Saxophone), Robert Kirby (Arranger), Ken Kreeman (Synthesizer), Phillip Goodhand-Tait (Keyboards), Chris Laurence (String Bass), Chris de Burgh (Vocals (Background)), David Hentschel (Musician), Chris de Burgh (Guitar (Acoustic)), Phillip Goodhand-Tait (Harmonium), Robin Geoffrey Cable (Producer), Mark Eves (Saxophone), Chris de Burgh (Vocals), Lennox Laington (Percussion), Fabio Nicoli (Art Direction), Ray Glynn (Guitar), Ian Bairnson (Guitar), Ken Freeman (Synthesizer Strings), Barry DeSouza (Drums), Tony Hymas (Keyboards), Clive Arrowsmith (Photography), Robert Kirby (Brass Arrangement), Robin Geoffrey Cable (Engineer), Ray Glynn (Guitar (Electric)), Tony Reeves (Bass), David Hentschel (Synthesizer)
The Strings, Choir, Recorders and Ocarinas on The Tower and Lonely Sky were arranged by Robert Kirby who also arranged the Brass for Old Friend and This Song For You
David Hentschel arranged and performed Synthesizer on A Spaceman Came Travelling
Richard Hewson arranged the Strings and Brass for Just Another Poor Boy and Spanish Train
Mixed at Scorpio and A.I.R. Studios
Engineered by Robin Groffrey Cable, assisted by Mark Dobson, Ian Major, and John Kelly
Chart positions
UK Chart Positions
Date
Position
Comment
August 31, 1985
48
New Entry
September 7, 1985
37
Highest & Final Entry
Controversy
The title track is a story about a train carrying the souls of the dead to the Underworld. God and the Devil are playing Poker - gambling with the souls. The Devil cheats and wins the game. The song finishes with the stanza:
"Far away, in some recess,
The Lord and the Devil are now playing Chess.
The Devil still cheats and wins more souls,
as for the Lord - he's just doing his best."
The song was deemed blasphemous in South Africa, and a ban was ordered. A&M records sued to get the ban overturned - the suit was eventually successful. However, while the suit was in progress, A&M released the album under the title "Lonely Sky and Other Stories" (without "Spanish Train"). This album is considered a collector's item today - copies are extremely rare.
