Saechsische Zeitung - ?. August 2003
translation by Astrid Nolde-GallaschChris de Burgh
presented by Hit Radio Antenne Sachsen and the Sächsische Zeitung Interview with Chris de Burgh text: Thomas Mensinger, journalist; picutres: ThoM Since September you're on a world tour again. We can experience Chris de Burgh in the most different facets. Among others, there are also some concerts with the symphony orchestra "Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt" - a special musical highlight. How did that come about? I was invited, for example to Berlin, to give a concert with the symphonics and was immediately intrigued, because I have often played together with brilliant orchestras. It is a very special sound experience for the visitors and also for me. Other than that the tour this year is very varied - I am doing solo shows, play of course with the band, and from time to time give a concert with an orchestra. On August 29 you will be on the Hutbergb¡§?hne in Kamenz with the band. Of course songs from your current album "Time (sic!) is everything" can be heard. What does the title of the album refer to actually? It means something like - being at the right place at the right time and simply take advantage of the timing in order to say - that is exactly what I wanted. Are you planning a new album? I am currently writing new songs. It will be ten to twelve. The new album will be released end of 2004. It will be a bit different than the last - a lot of acoustic, a lot of orchestra, without drums - recorded on my solo tour next spring and summer. ---Chris de Burgh on the Hutbergbühne
Irish folk rock singer invites to Kamenz On 29th August, just after the "Kamenzer Forstfest" another top artist will be on the Hutberg-stage. Before the big final of the season with oldie fm festival on September 13, rock bard Chris de Burgh will work on the boards... Chris de Burgh, sometimes soft, more often rocking pop bard, travels with his band for sound support to Kamenz on 29th August. "Timing Is Everything" is the name of Chris de Burgh's new album. It means that you should always be at the right time at the right place and just have to take advantage from this time in order to say - that's exactly what I wanted. It is often said that de Burgh is a soft rocker and that there are people who fall asleep while he plays. The visitors of the only concert in Saxonia will be able to find out themselves if that is right. Since over a year the concerts of the Irishman are a rock show with some ballads. "I think people forget that I also had hits like 'High On Emotion'. They only want to think of 'Lady In Red'. I love to write love songs, but I also love to write exciting rock songs", said Chris de Burgh after the start of his tour last month in Berlin. Techno music isn't pleasant for the ears of de Burgh, but he doesn't condemn it. During an interview he once said: "It is people at computers, who create this music that way. It doesn't come from the heart, has nothing to do with emotional songs. They are just 126 beats per minute that make you dance. But that is so important like toilet paper, which is quite important for certain things..." Meanwhile the lyricist, composer and arranger produced 17 albums with 150 songs. His attempt to create them differently didn't always succeed. De Burgh rather wanted to have a combination of different things in one album. "When you only sing ballads, people fall asleep. That's why I find it important to also have rock songs next to ballads on a record. Rock'n Roll for me is one of the most beautiful and original music styles." It's no coincidence that in the middle of his performance he sings "In the Ghetto" barbershop style. "To sing Elvis means to learn singing", he says and means it. At the end of his concerts de Burgh and his band back fully on emotions, packed in excellent guitar sounds and hammering drums. The charmer doesn't have any star allures. At home in Ireland he loves to be with his family, to bring his three children to school and get fresh bread himself in the morning. There will be something for everybody on 29th August in Kamenz: Love songs, sparkler music and real rock'n roll. ---Meet & Greet with Chris de Burgh
Four people from Kamenz with Chris de Burgh Irish folk rock singer invited on his couch The Irish singer ("Lady In Red") who is fully in the music business since 28 years and meanwhile sold over 45 million records, meets his meet&greet guests from Kamenz in the club room of the Berlin Hilton hotel. Chris de Burgh is small, maybe a meter sixty. The father of three wears black leisure shoes, unbuttoned blue shirt and golden necklace. He sits on the couch, crosses the arms in the neck and beams from his dark eyes. De Burgh sends out peace and charme. All of his guests listen immediately to his quiet, thoughtful words. Reiner, Sabine, Katja and Andreas had been his guests the evening before at the concert on the Berlin Gendarmenmarkt. A sunflower, a chrysanthemum and of course a red rose are brought to Chris by the fans. Embarrassed and thankfully smiling he receives the flowers and the gesture of thanks. Andreas and Sabine thank him unanimously for the great, almost three hour long concert with all the well-known hits like "Missing You", "High On Emotion" or "Sailor". Andreas wants to know if it's new in de Burgh's concerts that a big part features real rock'n'roll pieces. "No", he says, "I'm doing that for over thirty years in my performances, but recently it has become more and more. Rock'n'roll for me is one of the most beautiful and original musical style at all." It's no coincidence that in the middle of his performance he sings "In the Ghetto" barbershop style. "To sing Elvis means to learn singing", he says and means it. At the end of his concerts de Burgh and his band back fully on emotions, packed in excellent guitar sounds and hammering drums. Reiner uses the opportunity of the meeting in small round (a TV team from Saxony, a radio moderator and our newspaper were exclusively allowed to attend) to hand over a brochure of Kamenz with pictures of the Hutbergbühne. Chris is happy about the attention and thanks his guests for the gifts. Now quickly a few autographs on pictures and CDs and thirty minutes are over. "I am immensely looking forward to August 29 in Kamenz on the Hutbergbühne. Tell everyone, it will be great," he calls out to the four and disappears to his hotel suite.