The Return of the Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes is the twenty-second studio album by British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, released in 2008 by his own record label, Jazzee Blue. It comprises three CDs and double 10" Vinyl records in an 80-page hardback book. It is the second album of his project, the Hofner Blue Notes (2003).
The project narrates the history of The Delmonts, an imaginary guitar instrumental band from the late 1950s, who in early 1960s evolved into blues band The Hofner Bluenotes. It also gives a brief history of the Hofner guitar, and its importance in the development of music in Britain. The book is lavishly illustrated with period photos and mocked up posters and newspaper cuttings about the band, together with some of Rea's paintings, and photos of Hofner guitars. The music was recorded by Rea (guitars), Colin Hodgkinson (bass) and Martin Ditcham (drums), who feature in the book, together with Niel Drinkwater and Robert Ahwai.
After the album was released, Rea started a European tour, including a show at London's Royal Albert Hall and Newcastle City Hall. He and his band would perform as a quintet The Fabulous Hofner Blue Notes. The concerts were divided in three sections: in the first, they would play only songs from Delmonts (CD1), then some blues songs from Fabulous Hofner Blue Notes (CD2), and in the third part Rea's greatest hits.
Disc 1 - The Delmonts
1. Dirty New Town (2:26)
2. 008 Jimmy Bond (3:30)
3. India Arab (3:06)
4. BB Was A Comanche (3:11)
5. Theme From The Pink Guitar (2:25)
6. Russian Roulette (3:10)
7. Black Wave Heroes (3:31)
8. Andorra Star Blues (3:27)
9. Gippo Europe (2:48)
10. The Power Of Love (3:45)
11. Big Storm Coming (3:01)
12. Race Fever Blues (2:35)
13. It's Behind You (2:11)
14. French Football (2:32)
15. Green Shirt Blues (For George Russell) (3:40)
16. Blue Miles (3:57)
(All tracks instrumental)
Disc 2 - The Hofner Bluenotes CD1
1. I Can't Wait For Love (3:51)
2. Speak Of God, Act Like The Devil (4:37)
3. Big Wave (3:42)
4. Don't Give Your Ace Away (3:26)
5. Renaissance Blues (3:37)
6. Lets Getaway (3:50)
7. Legacy Blues (4:07)
8. Don't Tell Me About The Blues (4:35)
9. If I Keep My Faith In You (4:29)
10. Shadow Of A Fool (3:55)
11. Rock And Roll Tonight (3:29)
12. I Will Be With You (4:02)
Disc 3 - The Hofner Bluenotes CD2
1. Twister Inside (4:12)
2. When The Truth Comes Out (3:22)
3. Because It's You (3:32)
4. Looking Glass Blues (4:07)
5. Blues For Janice (3:46)
6. Meet Me On The Mountain (4:25)
7. Skylark Blues (4:05)
8. Which Part Of The Painting Mad You Cry? (4:24)
9. Days I Spent With You (Song for Bella) (3:32)
10. Yes I Do (4:13)
All tracks writted and produced by Chris Rea
