Ostthueringische Zeitung - October 14, 2002

by Ilona Berger

translation by Astrid Nolde-Gallasch


Dreaming and rocking


The small man starts his concert rockily. He starts with the first song
of his new record "Timing Is Everything". It's called "Guilty Secret". A
secret is being revealed. It tells about the love for the wife of a
former friend. Guiltily Chris de Burgh looks around the hall. He knows
what it means to have an affair and be caught. It doesn't matter. 2500
fans came on Friday night to dream with the ballad singer. The hoping
ones will not be disappointed. "Missing You" follows. The first lighters
are beign lit. The clapping gets better. And also the screeching of the
ladies gets louder.

Chris de Burgh sings himself warm until he greets the audience and asks
Barbara on stage. The English teacher of the Erfurt Gutenberg school has
to translate. Severely shaken by the disaster of this school the star
always dedicates a song for Erfurt in his concerts. Even now, as the
massacre no longer makes the title stories of the newspapers. "Today I
want to sing and celebrate with you in love", he says. Everybody is
cheering - among them are also 80 pupils of the Gutenberg school who
Chris de Burgh has invited personally. 

The quieter sounds mix with harder, newer ones. After all the 53 year
old wants to sell his album. He has brought almost the whole CD.
Cleverly de Burgh - in a great state of mind - mixes its ingredients
with really old songs and the somewhat younger crooning songs. Women
storm to the front. The security wants to keep them back. De Burgh
lovingly exercises his authority: "This is my concert for you and not
one for the security. Please come to the front and bring me the
flowers." That's how he spreads emotions. He opens his heart to his fans
like weeks ago his Irish castle for TV. That makes him likeable, and
helps to forget the simple lyrics of his songs.

Finally the "Lady in Red" comes on stage. She is already 18 years old
and still as beautifully as before - to listen to. That's also because
of the five people in his band. When they were left alone briefly, the
guys really get going. They are rocking uncontrolled - simply good.
Later all of them sit in a half circle. Chris de Burgh distributes
sweetener with his high concise voice and indulges himself. Singingly he
paints a rainbow and wants to be saved in"Save Me". Again titles from
his current album.

To be a the right place at the right time is the message from "Time Is
Everything". Chris de Burgh takes it to heart. Who doesn't wish to dream
of good and beautiful things in these times of bad news. The ballad
singer manages to abduct his audience for a couple of hours and even
spreads Christmas mood. Maybe he has looked around the supermarkets that
offer Santa Claus since September. In his hit "At The End Of A Perfect
Day" he mixes the silent night. He has captured his audience.