Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz - March 4, 2003


Albums

Songs

Concerts

Press

By Birgit Nargang

translation by Astrid Nolde-Gallasch


Very sweet and satisfying

Talking with the Irish bard Chris de Burgh in the "Alte Patrone"

The romantic bard with the soft voice... No, wait, that's not right! 
"Everybody sees the soft rocker in me. But that's not what I am. Those who 
come to my live concerts will see that there is full power!" - Chris de Burgh 
fends off the wrong accusations in a fully crowded Alte Patrone during the 
SWR-Talk "Leute".

But who could forget "Lady In Red"? The soft glaze of his voice, silky soft 
picked guitars, as lovely and clean as a meringue. And after all Chris de 
Burgh knows how important a red dress is in a wardrobe: "Unfortunately we men 
don't notice these details! We moan about stress in the office when we come 
home, but being a housewife and mother is the most difficult job in the 
world..."

He believes in partnership himself, the Irishman lets out the "secret of his 
25 years of marriage". In emotional understanding. In things like taking on 
the cooking. A hug - and with these sweet words all ladies pine blissfully 
smiling over their pretzels. Chris, the womanizer. How can such a sensitive 
man, nurished by the breath of arts, come from a family of generals and 
admirals? Ok, roses grow best on ashes. But the thorns are still deep: "I 
cried into sleep as a child. I was sent to boarding school at the age of six. 
I was so small that I was voted to be the "ant". My father was a diplomate, 
that's why I travelled all my life. Today I think that is the best education."

He assimilated the big drama about father and son in the song "The words 'I 
Love You'" and even discovered a much more universal tragic in it: "What 
happens in Baghdad, what happens everywhere in the world - if we would 
tolerate each other, the world would be a safer place!" Exactly, he is right, 
everybody nods.

Chris, the diplomate. Who is on good terms with God: "When we go up to heaven, 
we're in for a surprise!" he suddenly prognosticates. Chris, the heavenly! And 
Chris, the father: His daughter Rosanna is "Miss World 2003", how does he feel 
about it? "She is a very elegant, beautiful woman. But she is modest, and she 
has this nice character from me. I am modest too." Yes, so he doesn't always 
need a Hockenheimring full of audience, but sometimes plays unplugged in an 
intimate venue, as a "challenge".

The couple is still dancing, the sun rises and a bottle of champagne is half 
empty on the grand piano. "Rose Of England" is about the renaissance queen 
Elizabeth I. Even though he designs inimitable pictures ("moon shining on a 
silver sea"), you don't get rid of the impression that a giant pot of honey is 
being emptied over you: Very sweet, very sticky, very satisfying.

But the mood is phenomenal. The blond curly ladies in the first row keep a 
firm hold on their cheeks and sing along with every line. On May 20 he comes 
back. Chris de Burgh.




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