Auberge (a French word meaning "inn") is the eleventh studio album by British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, released in 1991. The album, as well as the title song, is notable for its association with the Caterham Super Seven that Rea owned, which he called the "Blue Seven". The car appears on the album cover, illustrated in oil by motoring artist Alan Fearnley.[4] The album makes several references to the car over several tracks, as well on the video of the title song,[5] and its cover illustration was used for its adverts. In 2005, Rea sold the car in an auction.[6]
| Auberge | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 1991 | |||
| Studio | Miraval | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 54:33 (59:15) | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Jon Kelly | |||
| Chris Rea chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Q | 3/5[3] |
| Record Mirror | 7/10[2] |
Singles edit
The title track gave Rea one of his biggest hits in the UK Singles Chart, where it reached number 16.[7] Other tracks released as singles were "Heaven", "Looking for the Summer" and "Winter Song".
Commercial performance edit
Auberge reached number one in the UK Albums Chart and number one in the German Albums Chart in 1991.[7] Q Magazine described the album as 'more of the same, with a few subtle differences to keep both doubters and aficionados guessing'.[3]
Track listing edit
All tracks written by Chris Rea.
- "Auberge" – 7:18
- "Gone Fishing" – 4:41
- "You're Not a Number" – 5:00
- "Heaven" – 4:13
- "Set Me Free" – 6:53
- "Winter Song" – 4:35
- "Red Shoes" – 3:54
- "Sing a Song of Love to Me" – 3:34
- "Every Second Counts" – 5:08
- "Looking for the Summer" – 5:03
- "And You My Love" – 5:28
- "The Mention of Your Name" – 3:17
- "Winter Song" did not appear on the initial album release; released as a stand-alone single in November 1991, it was included on some subsequent CD issues.
Personnel edit
- Chris Rea – lead vocals, Hammond organ, harmonica, slide guitar, classical guitar, lead guitar (1-9)
- Max Middleton – grand piano (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9), keyboards (6), Rhodes (10, 11, 12), string arrangements
- Anthony Drennan – nylon guitar (2, 5, 9, 10), dobro (2, 4), acoustic guitar (4, 8, 10), jazz guitar (7), guitars (11)
- Robert Ahwai – bass (1-11)
- Martin Ditcham – drums (1-11), percussion (1-11)
- The Kick Horns – horn arrangements
- Simon Clarke – alto saxophone, baritone saxophone
- Tim Sanders – tenor saxophone
- Kenny Hamilton – bass trombone
- J. Neil Sidwell – trombone
- Rick Taylor – trombone
- Roddy Lorimer – trumpet, flugelhorn
- Paul Spong – trumpet, flugelhorn
- Nick Hitchens – tuba
- Gavyn Wright – orchestra leader
- Carol Kenyon – backing vocals
- Linda Taylor – backing vocals
Production edit
- Jon Kelly – producer
- John Mackswith – engineer
- Justin Shirley-Smith – engineer
- Russell Shaw – engineer
- Willie Grimston – production coordination
- Alan Fearnley – paintings
Charts edit
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart[8] | 53 |
| Austrian Albums Chart[9] | 5 |
| French Albums Chart[10] | 19 |
| Dutch Albums Chart[11] | 9 |
| German Albums Chart[12] | 1 |
| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[13] | 12 |
| Norwegian Albums Chart[14] | 3 |
| Swedish Albums Chart[15] | 5 |
| Swiss Albums Chart[16] | 2 |
| UK Albums Chart[17] | 1 |
| US Billboard 200[18] | 176 |
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (IFPI Austria)[19] | Gold | 25,000* |
| Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[20] | Gold | 36,000[20] |
| France (SNEP)[21] | 2× Gold | 200,000* |
| Germany (BVMI)[22] | Platinum | 500,000^ |
| Netherlands (NVPI)[23] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[24] | Platinum | 50,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[25] | 2× Platinum | 600,000^ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ "Auberge - Chris Rea | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ Strickland, Andy (16 March 1991). "Albums". Record Mirror. p. 18.
- ^ a b Aizelwood, John (5 March 1991). "Careful". Q Magazine. p. 76.
- ^ "Grand Prix Sportique". Archived from the original on 24 August 2004.
- ^ "Halfbakery: Painting Product Placement". halfbakery.com.
- ^ "Coys". Archived from the original on 17 June 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
- ^ a b "CHRIS REA | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". officialcharts.com.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 230.
- ^ "Discographie Chris Rea". Austriancharts.at.
- ^ "Discographie Chris Rea". Lescharts.com.
- ^ "Dutch Charts". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres". 17 October 2012. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012.
- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1991. 30. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Norwegian charts portal". Norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Swedish Charts Portal". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Chris Rea". Swisscharts.com.
- ^ "CHRIS REA | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com.
- ^ "Chris Rea Chart History". Billboard.com.
- ^ "Austrian album certifications – Chris Rea – Auberge" (in German). IFPI Austria.
- ^ a b "Chris Rea" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
- ^ "French album certifications – Chris Rea – Auberge" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 26 November 2021. Select CHRIS REA and click OK.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Chris Rea; 'Auberge')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- ^ "Dutch album certifications – Chris Rea – Auberge" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 6 December 2018. Enter Auberge in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1991 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Auberge')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
- ^ "British album certifications – Chris Rea – Auberge". British Phonographic Industry.