Maerkische Allgemeine - March 8, 2004


Albums

Songs

Concerts

Press

by Juliane Kobelius

translation by Astrid Nolde-Gallasch


A smile for Potsdam

Chris de Burgh in the Villa Kellermann

You can't buy everything for money. For example a performance of Chris de 
Burgh in an almost personal atmosphere. The few tickets for this Saturday 
afternoon in the Villa Kellermann had been given out via Antenne Brandenburg 
and also via the MAZ (this newspaper). 60 Fans came together: from Potsdam, 
Berlin or Frankfurt (Oder), Cottbus, even from Hamburg they had been 
travelling to see the Irish star live for an hour.

Axel Ringlau was one of the lucky people who could phone for two tickets via 
the MAZ in the last minute. Also Gisela Werneke from Caputh. At the entry they 
are controlling passports and there's a sign "No smoking, the artist is 
non-smoker". But taking pictures was allowed. On the tables inside there were 
sandwiches and olives.

Moderator Inez Lang from Antenne Brandenburg, who had been building up the 
anticipation all the time, now announced the appearance of the idol. Raging 
applause and - there he was: Chris de Burgh, who has sold 45 million albums 
and received gold and platin albums 200 times, in the middle of a small circle 
of happy fans. He greets his audience with a smile: "Es ist sehr sch�, in 
Brandenburg zu sein."

His career started in a restaurant, and so he was glad to play once again in a 
restaurant. As a 26 year old he signed his first record label contract in 1974, 
with his 17th album "The Road To Freedom" that is on sale from today on, he 
celebrates his 30th anniversary this year.

He was short of time, for after the performance the plane waited for the 
flight back home. So he started right away with the title track of his album 
"The Road To Freedom". De Burgh's smile changed to seriousness while he told 
the story of the farmer who waits for his son who is fighting for freedom.

The guitar in hand, Chris de Burgh opens the ballad atmospheric in a quiet 
tone, before he changes to a powerful more dynamic way. The audience listens 
as if spellbound, follows the soft but rocky sound of the voice. Red and blue 
spotlights mix up with daylight and the beautiful view to the Heilige See. 

During the second song at the piano "Snow Is Falling", the first guests pick 
up their cameras. You've got what you got. When the romantic melody of "Lady 
In Red" was placed, nobody could withdraw from the sensitive sound. Fascinated 
they listened to every word, captivated by Chris de Burgh's warm voice.

After every song raging applause of an enthused audience followed. Whether the 
song "Rose Of England" which is dedicated to Elizabeth I, or "Five Past 
Dreams", a sequel to his famous hit "Lady In Red", Chris de Burgh knows how to 
touch and carry away the listener. 

The blind Bianka Gräming from Ludwigsfelde is the first to present a rose to 
her star. She doesn't stay on her own. A sea of roses was lying on the piano 
in the end, when Chris de Burgh had to say good bye among standing ovations. 
He will come back in about two months. On the 13th of May the rockstar from 
Ireland will perform during his European solo tour in Berlin, but then in 
front of a bigger audience.




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File last modified on August 26, 2006