Muenchner Merkur - May 28, 2004


Albums

Songs

Concerts

Press

by Zoran Gojic

translation by Astrid Nolde-Gallasch


Cuddly Professional

Chris de Burgh as singer and "cuddler"

No, you can't say that the fans of Chris de Burgh get nothing for their 
expensive tickets. The Irish songwriter sings all hits, talks in a relaxed 
mood with the audience, gets cuddles by his female admirers and even runs 
all across the audience rows up to the balcony. Usually stars never get 
that close to their fans. And in the middle of all that the 55 year old 
professional even takes time as a "cuddler" to help some guy called Robert 
with his marriage broking. Assisted by de Burgh, Robert may propose in the 
sold out Munich Philharmonie to a young woman called Renata - she accepted 
by the way.

Envious people would throw in that Chris de Burgh considers no nonsense 
to be beneath him. But actually the man is just making a serious job. He 
is an entertainer since 30 years and delivers what is expected: Good mood, 
padded with a bit of upright cast of mind. This is and has never been 
musically exciting or original, but that is exactly his recipe of success. 

Songs like "Sight And Touch" or "Living On The Island" sound familiar and 
simple: like a guitar at the fireplace. Therefore it's fitting that de 
Burgh does without a band and is alone on stage, where he accompanies his 
songs either with guitar or on the piano. After all he started in small 
clubs and this tough school benefits him today.

Charming and clever he plays with the audience. Even though it all seems 
very light-footed and partly improvised, it is perfectly choreographed: 
the harmless jokes, the hymns of praise on Munich and, to secure the final 
sympathies, a side swipe on George Bush. The trick is that de Burgh 
conveys the impression to be a normal guy who just says and does on stage 
what comes to his mind. It's all about feeling well.

The lyrics which sometimes derail completely in their simplicity, 
contribute to it essentially. In simple English de Burgh tells about war, 
peace, understanding and love. Always vague he mentions beautiful keywords 
like freedom or death which don't have any meaning in the context. He 
superbly feigns the political and wise bard who isn't a stranger to 
anything human. It isn't easy to succeed with that. Insofar the concert 
has been a true triumph.




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File last modified on August 26, 2006