Never a pop singer, despite a couple of big hits along the way, de Burgh doesn't stray too far from his story-telling style, with lots of drama and swelling music, a little romance, and PBS-style Celtic music. On his 20th album, that's still the key, although he also tackles aging as well. Smart move, his audience is doing that as well. That's not a shot, that's the reality, and there's nothing wrong with keeping things real.
A couple of the songs directly refer to families growing up, realizing you're not a kid anymore, and neither are your kids. Where Would I Be? speaks to a lifetime partner, perhaps The Lady In Red now grown older, the singer wondering what would have become of him without her in his life. Empty Rooms takes on the empty nest syndrome, reminding those grown kids the same love follows them out the door. It isn't all tears and retirement though; Letting Go is about the need for them to go crazy still, every once in a while, and it rocks a bit.
On the other side, de Burgh comes up with a couple of his historic tales, in the vein of Don't Pay The Ferryman. The Ghost Of Old King Richard refers to a holy relic stolen from the imprisoned Lionheart. The Holy Grail perhaps? The Bridge is about a pledge between two lovers, brought back together years later. Correctly identifying the period referenced in The Fields of Agincourt will get you an A in Grade 11 history. This is Chris de Burgh as you like it.
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