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translation by Astrid Nolde-Gallasch
Chris de Burgh
presented by Hit Radio Antenne Sachsen and the Sächsische Zeitung
Interview with Chris de Burgh
text: Thomas Mensinger, journalist; picutres: ThoM
Since September you're on a world tour again. We can experience Chris de
Burgh in the most different facets. Among others, there are also some
concerts with the symphony orchestra "Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt" - a
special musical highlight. How did that come about?
I was invited, for example to Berlin, to give a concert with the symphonics
and was immediately intrigued, because I have often played together with
brilliant orchestras. It is a very special sound experience for the visitors
and also for me. Other than that the tour this year is very varied - I am
doing solo shows, play of course with the band, and from time to time give
a concert with an orchestra.
On August 29 you will be on the Hutbergbühne in Kamenz with the band. Of
course songs from your current album "Time (sic!) is everything" can be
heard. What does the title of the album refer to actually?
It means something like - being at the right place at the right time and
simply take advantage of the timing in order to say - that is exactly what
I wanted.
Are you planning a new album?
I am currently writing new songs. It will be ten to twelve. The new album
will be released end of 2004. It will be a bit different than the last - a
lot of acoustic, a lot of orchestra, without drums - recorded on my solo
tour next spring and summer.
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Chris de Burgh on the Hutbergbhne
Irish folk rock singer invites to Kamenz
On 29th August, just after the "Kamenzer Forstfest" another top artist will
be on the Hutberg-stage. Before the big final of the season with oldie fm
festival on September 13, rock bard Chris de Burgh will work on the boards...
Chris de Burgh, sometimes soft, more often rocking pop bard, travels with
his band for sound support to Kamenz on 29th August. "Timing Is Everything"
is the name of Chris de Burgh's new album. It means that you should always
be at the right time at the right place and just have to take advantage
from this time in order to say - that's exactly what I wanted. It is often
said that de Burgh is a soft rocker and that there are people who fall
asleep while he plays. The visitors of the only concert in Saxonia will be
able to find out themselves if that is right. Since over a year the
concerts of the Irishman are a rock show with some ballads. "I think people
forget that I also had hits like 'High On Emotion'. They only want to think
of 'Lady In Red'. I love to write love songs, but I also love to write
exciting rock songs", said Chris de Burgh after the start of his tour last
month in Berlin. Techno music isn't pleasant for the ears of de Burgh, but
he doesn't condemn it. During an interview he once said: "It is people at
computers, who create this music that way. It doesn't come from the heart,
has nothing to do with emotional songs. They are just 126 beats per minute
that make you dance. But that is so important like toilet paper, which is
quite important for certain things..." Meanwhile the lyricist, composer and
arranger produced 17 albums with 150 songs. His attempt to create them
differently didn't always succeed.
De Burgh rather wanted to have a combination of different things in one
album. "When you only sing ballads, people fall asleep. That's why I find
it important to also have rock songs next to ballads on a record. Rock'n
Roll for me is one of the most beautiful and original music styles." It's
no coincidence that in the middle of his performance he sings "In the
Ghetto" barbershop style. "To sing Elvis means to learn singing", he says
and means it. At the end of his concerts de Burgh and his band back fully
on emotions, packed in excellent guitar sounds and hammering drums.
The charmer doesn't have any star allures. At home in Ireland he loves to
be with his family, to bring his three children to school and get fresh
bread himself in the morning. There will be something for everybody on 29th
August in Kamenz: Love songs, sparkler music and real rock'n roll.
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Meet & Greet with Chris de Burgh
Four people from Kamenz with Chris de Burgh
Irish folk rock singer invited on his couch
The Irish singer ("Lady In Red") who is fully in the music business since
28 years and meanwhile sold over 45 million records, meets his meet&greet
guests from Kamenz in the club room of the Berlin Hilton hotel. Chris de
Burgh is small, maybe a meter sixty. The father of three wears black
leisure shoes, unbuttoned blue shirt and golden necklace. He sits on the
couch, crosses the arms in the neck and beams from his dark eyes. De Burgh
sends out peace and charme. All of his guests listen immediately to his
quiet, thoughtful words. Reiner, Sabine, Katja and Andreas had been his
guests the evening before at the concert on the Berlin Gendarmenmarkt. A
sunflower, a chrysanthemum and of course a red rose are brought to Chris
by the fans. Embarrassed and thankfully smiling he receives the flowers
and the gesture of thanks. Andreas and Sabine thank him unanimously for
the great, almost three hour long concert with all the well-known hits
like "Missing You", "High On Emotion" or "Sailor". Andreas wants to know
if it's new in de Burgh's concerts that a big part features real rock'n'roll
pieces. "No", he says, "I'm doing that for over thirty years in my
performances, but recently it has become more and more. Rock'n'roll for me
is one of the most beautiful and original musical style at all." It's no
coincidence that in the middle of his performance he sings "In the Ghetto"
barbershop style. "To sing Elvis means to learn singing", he says and means
it. At the end of his concerts de Burgh and his band back fully on emotions,
packed in excellent guitar sounds and hammering drums. Reiner uses the
opportunity of the meeting in small round (a TV team from Saxony, a radio
moderator and our newspaper were exclusively allowed to attend) to hand
over a brochure of Kamenz with pictures of the Hutbergbühne. Chris is happy
about the attention and thanks his guests for the gifts. Now quickly a few
autographs on pictures and CDs and thirty minutes are over. "I am immensely
looking forward to August 29 in Kamenz on the Hutbergbühne. Tell everyone,
it will be great," he calls out to the four and disappears to his hotel
suite.
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