Schweriner Volkszeitung - September 1, 2003

by Uli Grunert

translation by Astrid Nolde-Gallasch



Romantic with rocking qualities


Chris de Burgh delivered a brilliant performance in Ludwigslust

Ludwigslust. The backdrop of the Ludwigslust castle offered the perfect 
background for one of the big singers and songwriters of European pop 
music: In a black leather jacket and white shirt, the guitar in hand, Chris 
de Burgh aroused a true fireworks of good mood.

With "Guilty Secret" of his current album "Timing Is Everything" he opened 
the two and half hours round of songs that in the end did not leave any 
wishes open. In a good mood, the Irish superstar communed with his audience 
between songs, flirted and joked, proved typical British humour and 
understatement.

De Burgh, ancestor of an old nobility, proved to be an intelligent, 
extremely entertaining storyteller in the tradition of the medieval 
minnesingers. A first highlight of the concert was the captivating live 
performance of the mega hit "The Lady In Red", fabulously orchestrated by 
the fantastic tour band of de Burgh, which consists entirely of renowned 
British studio musicians. During the first bars of "The Revolution" nobody 
stayed on their seats.

The mood in front of the stage seemed to almost bubble over. The mostly 
female members of the fanclub who came to Ludwigslust from Hamburg, 
Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, stormed the edge of the 
stage and aroused party mood.

After the first twelve songs, Chris de Burgh sent his band off stage and 
took a lot of time for a solo performance. In his a capella version of the 
folk song "Danny Boy" he convinced with flawless phrasings. Sometimes 
tender, then again powerful, his falsetto hit right into the heart.

The singer used his solo performance to introduce an early song that is 
extremely popular with his fans: "A Spaceman Came Travelling" is typical 
for the works of the songwriter de Burgh, who removes the Christmas story 
completely out of the Christian, religious context and tells it from the 
point of view of an extraterrestrian. Amplified by a simple, effective 
melody the timeless story unfolds with a deeply humanistical message.

At the beginning of his bittersweet love song "Missing You", the band 
returns. A brilliant fireworks of hits follows, crowned by the evergreens 
"Don't Pay The Ferryman" and "High On Emotion" that confirm the rock 
qualities of the supposed crooner by their hot live versions. 

After three encores, Chris de Burgh paid tribute to his great idols with a 
touching version of the Beatles classic "Hey Jude". Glittering final of a 
great concert. The red roses and presents that had been given to him by his 
admirers were the well-deserved reward for a versatile entertainer and 
artist who captured the hearts of his audience by storm.