Frau im Spiegel - August 3, 2006


Albums

Songs

Concerts

Press

translation by Astrid Nolde-Gallasch

Why I love Germany so...

The fans admire him for years, especially in Germany. With his new album 
Chris de Burgh now goes on big tour - presented by Frau Im Spiegel

Black leather jacket, black shirt, black trousers, black shoes. Maybe it's 
because of his dark clothes that the Irish popstar Chris de Burgh (57) can 
move so unidentified in the vivid foyer of the Royal Garden Hotel in London. 
He rejects a table underneath the air conditioner, for he is in the middle 
of the recordings for his new album "The Storyman" and he doesn't want to 
put his voice in danger. In a soft Irish dialect the son of a diplomat 
talks about women, family, king Ludwig, Moselle wine, Beckenbauer and 
German beer. Or Kölsch, to be exact.

How are things in the studio?
Soon I will be with an orchestra of 71 people for a whole day. I won't put 
myself on a stage, but sit right among the musicians. That's the best way to 
do it. There are twelve new songs that we are practically recording live. Without 
a computer! Music must have a natural warmth, or the emotions get lost.

Your new CD "Storyman" is no usual pop album. What is new?
Well, it's about telling stories with music. Every song has a strong story. 
For example "The Mirror Of The Soul". The piece has three parts, is nine minutes 
long. The story is placed in the France of the 15th century. A falling star 
lands in a garden, and a young man collects it, and then a lot of things happen. 
Priests stoke superstition, take part in conspiracies. Good versus evil. Action 
like in a Steven Spielberg movie! Other stories play 1941 in Russia and 1879 in 
Italy. During our concerts we will present this in multi media format on huge 
video screens with subtitles. I want the people to think they are in a movie 
theater!

Did you also record a German story?
I am working on a song about King Ludwig, who suddenly resurges in the fog 
of the lake and wants to convince the afterworld that he was anything but 
crazy, although he keeps being described as such by the chronists. I believe 
he had too many powerful enemies who wanted to get rid of him because he 
spent too much money. Unfortunately I couldn't finish this story in time. 
Something for the future...

Women downright adore you. Have you ever thought about the reason for it?
I don't know, for I am not really the biggest sex symbol in the world. But 
I am rather a soft type. And through my music I give a chance to dream. I 
believe I have a good sense of humour and don't take myself too seriously. 
I am an affectionate person and I respect women. They can feel secure with 
me, because I don't want to go to bed with them. 

From September to December you are on tour again. Is the long separation from 
your family difficult for you?
My family is the most important thing in my life. We are constantly in contct. 
I just sent a text message to my wife Diane. My daughter Rosanna (22) is just 
doing her University exams in art history and sociology and is totally 
stressed. Hubie (18) does his leaving certificate and Michael (15) the junior 
certificate. I talk on the phone to them as often as possible, take part at 
their lives.

"Lady In Red" is one of the biggest romantic love songs of all times. Does 
the song haunt you?
I understand that people who took an evening out to come to my concert, expect 
this song. To sing it means to give them joy. After all: I sang "Lady In Red" 
even in China and Russia, where nobody understands the words - but the 
emotions were conveyed.

You have been in music business for 30 years. Have you reached everything 
you wanted to reach?
Far from it. I like being creative. That's why I am also working on a movie 
for which we have already raised a budget of 7.5 million Euros. And I would 
like to write a musical.

You have a lot of true fans in Germany, right?
I can say without exaggeration that I love Germany! There even children are 
coming to my concerts now, a completely new generation. From up and down, 
and all across - I believe I have been travelling through Germany more than 
some Germans. I like the culture. The architecture. The food is phantastic, 
and I wish I would have more time to learn about Moselle wines. The people 
are friendly. I have given many open air concerts on small city grounds. 
Franz Beckenbauer is a good friend. In Munich I can even walk on the road 
without being recognized.

Do you speak a little German now?
(in German): Herr Ober, ein Kölsch bitte...!




Questions or comments?

File last modified on August 26, 2006