Crusader

by

Chris de Burgh

Edit

No doubt, Crusader is the ultimate masterpiece of the early De Burgh! Produced by orchestrator, arranger and piano player Andrew Powell (long-time sideman to Alan Parsons) and the entire Alan Parsons personnel (Ian Bairnson, David Paton, Stuart Elliott) playing on this recording, completed by Mike Moran (keyboards, piano, synthesizer) Crusader finally convinced where the three previous albums failed. The compositions are again in the balladeer style, but the production and arrangements ultimately reach perfection. "Carry On" is probably the most commercial song on the album. I'm not sure if it was released as a single. "Something Else Again" is probably the loveliest love song a man could ever play for a woman! "Crusader" is an almost 9 minute piece which reminds me of "Spanish Train" in a way, but it is still unique in its own style. A remastered version of this CD might be appropriate.

There is no disputing Chris De Burg's talent. His music is powerful and his voice is terrific. My only quarrel with this cd is about the last track.

Anyone who has read just a tiny bit of history would know that there were no greater commanders than Saladin or Richard the Lionheart. Each proved to be a brillaint strategist. In fact the two sides fought with such valour and brilliance that the conflict ended in a stalemate.

And now after hundredrs of years have passed comes Chris De Burg (with his great music and excellent voice) to commit slander against Saladin and belittle him with stupid lyrics: "High on a hill... there stood Saladin, king of the Saracens. Whoring and drinking and snoring...". To put this in prespective, its as if some Arab singer calls the greatly admired president Kennedy a drunkard and a sex maniac. This is of course apalling and completely unacceptable.

Shame on you Chris De Burgh for twisting history and defaming one of its greatest heroes. I suggest that you make amends and recompose the song to depict the true picture of Saladin and his Saracens.