Spark to a Flame: The Very Best of Chris de Burgh

• Artist: Chris de Burgh
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 24, 1989
• Type: Compilation (best of), Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

Covering all of his crucial eighties material, Spark to a Flame: The Very Best of Chris de Burgh offers up most of this songwriter's best work, while also including a few of his better pieces from early in his career. The decade took apt notice of de Burgh, giving him two Top 40 hits on Billboard with "Don't Pay the Ferryman" in 1983 and the hugely successful "Lady in Red" in 1987, which are both included on this set. Three of his most delightful narratives from the '70s show up here as well, with "Spanish Train," "A Spaceman Came Travelling," and "Patricia the Stripper," all from the highly regarded Spanish Train and Other Stories album. The asset of Spark to a Flame comes from the fact that de Burgh's best singles can be heard here without the other ho-hum material from their respective albums getting in the way. For example, songs like "Sailing Away"and "Say Goodbye to It All" add value to this compilation, as they were easily their parent album's best material. His most explosive tune, "High on Emotion" from 1984's Man on the Line album, is another welcomed addition, as is the refined fervor of "Ship to Shore" from The Getaway. Even though "Crusader" is nearly nine minutes in length, its addition to this compilation would have raised its stakes, as it's one of his best story songs. Although many of his amiable ballads and love songs from his early albums didn't make their way to this set, Spark to a Flame still stands as a suitable best-of. If owned, so should 1981's Best Moves for a greater cross-section of de Burgh's illustrious career. ~ Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
This Waiting Heart (Lyrics)	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(4:09)
Don't Pay the Ferryman (Lyrics)	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(3:24)
Much More Than This (Lyrics)	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(2:55)
Sailing Away (Lyrics)	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(4:59)
The Lady in Red	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(4:17)
Borderline (Lyrics)	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(4:33)
Say Goodbye to It All	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(5:04)
Spanish Train (Lyrics)	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(4:58)
Patricia the Stripper	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(3:28)
Ship to Shore (Lyrics)	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(3:47)
Missing You (Lyrics)	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(4:08)
Diamond in the Dark (Lyrics)	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(3:31)
Tender Hands (Lyrics)	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(4:28)
A Spaceman Came Travelling	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(5:03)
Where Peaceful Waters Flow	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(3:53)
High on Emotion (Lyrics)	Chris de Burgh	Chris de Burgh	(4:26)

Credits

Charlie Morgan (Drums), Robin Geoffrey Cable (Producer), Michael Ross (Art Direction), Chris de Burgh (Vocals), Michael Ross (Illustrations), Michael Ross (Design), Charlie Morgan (Programming), Chris de Burgh (Producer), Paul Hardiman (Producer), Chris de Burgh (Guitar), Charlie Morgan (Percussion), Richard Haughton (Photography), Roy Thomas Baker (Producer), Rupert Hine (Producer)

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