Chris de Burgh - High On Emotion Video
Format PAL, Hi-Fi Digital Stereo
Catalogue Number AMV871
Producer A&M Records
Release Date 1990
Playing Time 80 minutes
Last Night
Sailing Away
The Revolution
I'm Not Scared Anymore
Spanish Train
Borderline
The Spirit of Man
The Lady in Red
The Risen Lord
The Last Time I Cried
Lonely Sky
Patricia The Stripper
Missing You
Say Goodbye To It All
Don't Pay The Ferryman
High on Emotion
High On Emotion - Live From Dublin presents the perfect portrait, in sound and vision, of Chris de Burgh in concert. Recorded at the RDS stadium in the midst of a sell out, 10 month world tour, this 80 minute video captures the extra-ordinary audience participation of an Irish "home crowd"; and offers a glimpse of the power which has helped to make him one of Europe's top concert attractions.
REVIEW By Dave Doohan
Opening with Last Night the audience anticipation of deBurgh's arrival on stage is plain, the cheers and screams clearly audible - they are standing, cheering, clapping rhythmically and yet, only the band is so far on stage. He walks on, barely noticed from the shadows….
This video, shot with at least six different camera views easily captures the excitement of an Irish Chris de Burgh concert.
Following Last Night, Chris tells the audience what to expect from the evening and launches in to Sailing Away accompanied by applause, more rhythmic clapping and Ian Kojima's sax. Next up it's Revolution.
"Wake Up Boys, There's a Light At The Window" sings Chris, and then, quite cheekily tilts his ear to the crowd for a reaction. He does the same for line 2, and needless to say, it isn't slow in coming. The audience alone shout "Revolution" and the song explodes into life, taking the audience with it. By contrast, Revolution gives way to I'm not Scared, which is closely followed by Spanish Train. Some characteristic winding up of the audience for this one as Chris pauses after the first line, milking the applause and making the audience hold their breath in anticipation. Every line is repeated by the crowd. As the song "ends" Chris again pauses, once more holding the audience, before embarking on the final chorus.
Chris then moves to the piano for Borderline, as well received here in Ireland as anywhere else he performs it. Ian Kojima's flute haunts the song and you can hear the depth of feeling in the crowd as they sing along. The eruption of applause as Chris sings the immortal words "how men can see the wisdom in a war" is incredible and then, the audience sings "solo" during the instrumental piece. If this video has a weak link, I feel it is next, with Sprit Of Man, despite all of the energy that Chris and the band put in to it. This is followed up by THAT song (Lady In Red) with a smoky stage and a crowd now smooching and swaying, candles (yes candles) raised high.
The Risen Lord has it's introduction disguised well by the band until Chris, sitting at the piano plays the first note in a spotlight number. All too soon it is over and we find ourselves listening to The Last Time I Cried. Chris then plays the introduction to Long Way Home, but actually sings Lonely Sky, once more assisted by the Irish audience of vocalists.
Moving on, "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do" in Dublin says Chris as he gets ready to start Patricia the Stripper. With red scarf around his neck he prances round the stage, teasing the audience. Items of underwear start to reach the stage - from a jacket pocket, Chris pulls even more - but unlike earlier videos, there is no stripper to join him on stage. Patricia is always a much requested song, and a great crowd pleaser, and it is really well performed here.
Missing You, then Say Goodbye To It All, the energy of the crowd only too apparent during this blatant rock follow up to Borderline. The show is really hotting up and on now to Don't Pay The Ferryman, lights around the stage simulate lightening, the stage erupts in noise, but all too quickly we have reached the finale, High On Emotion. The crowd chants for more, they undoubtedly got it on the night - but the video ends here and I can't help but want for more.
To Glen Morrow, Danny McBride, Al Marnie, Jeff Phillips and Ian Kojima I say congratulations. The boys in the band may have seen it all before, but they perform brilliantly every time. It's a pleasure listening.