Thueringische Landeszeitung - July 10, 2005


Albums

Songs

Concerts

Press

by Christiane Weber

translation by Astrid Nolde-Gallasch


Pure enthusiasm in the castle courtyard

Weimar. "You were fantastic." World star Chris de Burgh was equally 
impressed by Weimar as the Weimar's people were impressed by him. The 
Irish singer had entertained the 1800 visitors of his completely sold 
out concert at the castle courtyard for almost three hours nonstop. 
Not all visitors were in time, as he began with "Freedom". Open air 
concerts have their own laws, latecomers involved.

"It is wonderful to be for the first time in Weimar", said the nice 
singer who, next to titles of his current CD "Road To Freedom", also 
performed old songs to the pleasure of the audience. His apparent good 
connection with Saint Peter even drove the dark clouds away. Tender 
ballads changed with rocky songs. During "The Words I Love You" the 
clapping was still diffident, but at the latest during "Lebanese Night", 
and completely during "Missing You", the ice had been broken.

The not only female audience accompanied the popular titles with 
standing ovations. Some climbed their chairs in order to see better. 
Champagne, even a gift basket, but mostly flowers over flowers were 
brought to the star by the female fans. Mobile phones with digital 
cameras sent pictures to those who hadn't gotten one of the sought-after 
tickets and had to stay at home, maybe a greeting with picture from 
the crowd, or even from Chris de Burgh. Maybe even from his words 
which referred to the terror attack in London, which he condemned as 
an example of political intolerance. The security guards had a lot to 
do, also to keep those fans who ran to the stage with their digital 
cameras from getting too close to their idol.

But he didn't know any fear of contact, got himself a headset 
microphone and walked with guitar through the audience rows. "No 
borderline", "Sailing away", "Songbird", "I will be waiting" let the 
feet nod the beat. Memories of Bernd Kauffmann's art festivals awoke 
- of the fulminant open air concerts by Charles Aznavour, Abdullah 
Ibrahim, Chick Corea, Al Jarreau and Nina Simone.

Then Chris de Burgh asked his audience to come to the front and a song 
festival vis a vis with the star made sparklers turn up and fluorescent 
tubes circle. And because Saturday night is usually party time, Chris 
de Burgh said goodbye with encores of Beatles titles, and confessed 
"It's a hard days night", not without bowing in front of his cheering 
female fans with "Pretty woman".




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File last modified on August 26, 2006