Fuldaer Zeitung - August 10, 2008

translation by Sophia Trummer


Chris de Burgh wows 4000 Fans


FULDA 4000 fans of Chris de Burgh on the Domplatz (cathedral square) were lucky: The 
rain stopped 30 minutes before the concert. Only during the break and the encores some 
clouds above the square opened again. But more important was that the audience saw a star 
in a phantastic mood (Photos).

"Good evening. It is wonderful to be in Fulda again", the singer greeted his audience in 
German, referring to his show in 1999. That was when he was also playing in front of 
4000 fans on the Domplatz. 
Meanwhile, the 59-year old has become a little older and his hair a little thinner. But 
he still has the same wonderful thrilling voice as 20 years ago. No matter if singing 
solo with his guitar or piano, or being accompanied - during the second part of the show 
- by a complete orchestra - with his emotional songs he made his audience melt on the 
spot. Acustics all over the square was right, and with the light show the cathedral was 
bathed in turns in pink, violet and a thrilling white colour. This was already worth 
part of the ticket price. 

So much credit must be given to his voice, the fans realised during the song "Always on 
my Mind". It's an Elvis Presley song, the Pet Shop Boys covered it and, as Burgh slagged, 
"murdered it". He showed on his part how much emotion this love song actually contains.
Not only the singer, also his fans have become a bit older. The share of the 40 - 60-year 
olds who became fans of the Irishman in the 80es was prevailing. One who also belongs to 
this age group is the Premier of the Federal State of Hesse, Roland Koch (50) who had 
joined the event privately, accompanied by his wife Anke. 

Standing Ovations

For the many faithful fans in his audience, Chris de Burgh sang in addition to his new 
"Storyman" songs also the old big hits such as "Missing You", "Sailing Away". He finished 
the regular 2-hours programme with three world hits. Of course one of them was "Lady in 
Red", his biggest success from 1986, which he sold eight million times. Altogether he 
brought 45 million albums to his fans. He received about 200 times Gold or Platinum for 
the albums. 
The programme ended with "Say Goodbye to it all" and "Don?t Pay the Ferryman". Chris de 
Burgh said Goodbye to Fulda after two encores, one being "High on Emotion" - and, to 
some of the fans, the "Goodbye" was very personal. He climbed down the stage into the 
audience's room and shook hands with many people. He had already climbed down the stage 
once to receive flowers from a mother with three daughters. 
In the song lyrics of the Irish bard, the melancholic moment prevails, but he always 
jokes between the songs. Now the day in Fulda is a very special one, he joked. The date 
is 08/08/08, the opening of the Olympic Games - and the birthday of his dog "Milli". 
The final ovations came from standing fans - some acknowledging the concert, others to 
escape soon from the beginning rain. 

-Original text (German) by Volker Nies-