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by Thomas Werz The soft one fights against old-age pension Salem. When Chris de Burgh stretches his arms and thanks dutifully after each track, it becomes obvious: This isn't rock music. Still the audience is over the moon during the open air concert by the 57 year old Irishman at Salem castle. It is the last concert of his German tour - and he feels so happy, that he doesn't want to stop. He came with only one guitar on Tuesday night to perform solo at the Lake Constance. "Es ist sehr schön, in Salem zu sein", the Irishman showed himself impressed by the monumental castle backdrop. "Just like home." For at home in Ireland the singer also lives in a castle. The last concert of the tour should also become the best one, the singer promises - and especially the female fans are thrilled. After some string sounds which were a bit too theatrical, Chris de Burgh begins with the song "Road To Freedom" from the CD of the same title. The Irishman is now 57 year old, and the average age of the 4000 fans is just a little bit lower, if at all. The lukewarm summer evening adds to it - instead of being rocky, it is rather civilized in the castle park. For Chris de Burgh has as much to do with rock music as Angus Young, the guitarist of AC/DC, with a boys' choir. Chris de Burgh is a romantic charmer and funny entertainer - sometimes on guitar, sometimes on piano. So a few insinuating jokes are enough to loosen the mood. Funny, when he briefly plays "Oops I did it again" by Britney Spears and dances along. 38 years of stage experience show off. But de Burgh doesn't only want to talk about good moods. He condemns the suicide bombings, the attacks in London. It doesn't take long until women bring gifts and flowers to the stage. A boy has to accompany his mother. And while she beams deeply moved after a little kiss, he slugishly trots behind her. Up to the half of the show, the piano is blocked like a table for birthday presents - there is even a travel guide for Lake Constance among it. Proud snapshot During St. Peter's Gate, the first listeners dare to clap along. Suddenly the singer stands among his audience, surrounded by fans who can't be kept on their folding chairs any longer. A little kiss here, a handshake there. A scream in the crowd, Salem has woken up. What did mankind do before the invention of digital cameras? Proudly a woman holds her camera with the snapshot of her star towards the evening sky. Chris de Burgh beams - and he sings "What You Mean To Me". For those who are not die-hard fans, it sometimes becomes a little bit exhausting: especially when his voice strives towards unexpected heights, which should actually be reserved for dog whistles. When the stage becomes all red, 4000 start singing "Lady In Red". Devotionally the fans sing, looking towards the clear evening sky. That's what they came to Salem for. A nice ending for a concert. But far from that. The Irishman is turning up once again. After a rocky "Don't Pay The Ferryman" with an explosive light show it's still not finished. "Hard Days Night" and "Hey Jude" by the Beatles can not be missed. There is no holding back, the 57 year old plugs the strings, as if it was all about his old-age pension. His fans are happy. Maybe Chris de Burgh is really a little bit of a rocker - but a very soft one. |
File last modified on August 26, 2006