Fränkische Nachrichten - August 24, 2010


by Sabine Küssner

translation by Astrid Nolde-Gallasch


Bad Mergentheim taken by storm


Performance: Chris de Burgh and band enthuse 3000 people with their two-and-a-half-hour-show in the castle yard

There's something good about queues. Firstly you are not alone, and secondly you can listen to other people's conversations 
unabashed. Best example: Sunday, 7:45 pm in Bad Mergentheim in front of the castle yard. "How old is he anyway?", somebody 
asks. He, that's Chris de Burgh. Question marks in the faces of the people around. A young woman knows. "He is 61, his 
birthday was on October 15, 1948." She seemed to know almost everything about Chris de Burgh. Perhaps even the size of his 
shoes.

Further to the back a couple of men are not talking about Chris de Burgh's age, but about his daughter. Maybe she is in Bad 
Mergentheim too? And when was she "Miss World"? And what was her name again? Again, somebody could help them out.

In the meantime Chris de Burgh, 61, shoe size unknown, father of Rosanna, "Miss World" 2003, practices diligently how to 
pronounce "Bad Mergentheim". After all he knows his manners, and of course doing something local is always a winner.

In a light blue shirt and dark trousers he stands on stage shortly after 8 pm and is greeted enthusiastically. At the same time 
the sky opens its gates and lots of rain is pouring down. No good prospects for an enjoyable concert night in a cozy atmosphere.

Finally something for the heart

With "Last Night" the Irish song poet and his four-member-band start the show. The sound is clear, the light show with five 
LED walls is a feast for the eyes. A lot of work has gone into this. At the beginning, tour manager Chris Andrews is at the 
mixing desk, then he withdraws himself. Everything goes smoothly. During the fourth song, "Missing You", the couples get closer 
to each other - finally something for the heart.

Now the maestro wants to move over to the next part of the programme - songs from his current CD "Footsteps". And so the 
audience experience which genius is sitting at the drums. For Tony Kiley isn't only an excellent drummer, he can also remember 
a lot, for example the setlist. So he knew that the next song should be "Sailor". And he shouts it to his boss, loud and clear. 
He uses the chance to improvise and explains to his audience that his drummer never forgets anything, because he is from Wales. 
Tony would even know what he had for breakfast 14 years ago. Remember: Chris de Burgh is not only an excellent artist, but also 
quite a joker.

After "Sailor" the already announced songs follow. "For the second time tonight I want to introduce you a few songs from my 
album Footsteps", he says and laughs. Without guitar he sings the Beatles classic "Long And Winding Road" and receives a huge 
applause. A woman hands him a t-shirt with the inscription "The sexiest man alive". "That can only be one", says Chris de 
Burgh, and hand it with a big smile to his guitarist David Levy. Then it gets romantic again. The stage is shimmering in 
purple and blue for the Nilsson tearjerker "Without You", one of many highlights this evening.

And because Chris de Burgh loves to plan a long time ahead, he introduces already a song of his next "Footsteps" album: "Those 
Were The Days" by Mary Hopkin. If it goes by the applause in Bad Mergentheim, he doesn't need to worry about the success of 
this CD.

But next will be the album "Moonfleet And Other Stories" and from this one he sang "People Of The World". Without band ("the 
boys are having a few beers") he intones "In A Country Churchyard" and "A Spaceman Came Travelling" - two of many Chris de 
Burgh classics, which still go down well. The atmosphere is being topped only by "Lady In Red". The Irishman takes a bath in 
the crowd and receives true cheering storms.

The chairs have long done their duty, everyone is standing and celebrating their star. And he even tunes up now and starts the 
big finale with "Ship To Shore". Meanwhile the stars are blinking at the sky and even the moon makes an appearance. "Say 
Goodbye To It All", "Don't Pay The Ferryman" and "High On Emotion" make the people from "Bad Mörgentheim" happy. "You were 
fantastic", he praises his audience and says with a view to the sky: "And look - no rain!"

With "Snows Of New York" and "Footsteps" a fantastic, two-and-a-half-hour-show comes to its end. Nine further concerts are on 
the schedule - for example today Chris de Burgh plays at Schloss Reichenschwand near Nürnberg. This is after all, only a 
linguistic challenge after "Bad Mörgentheim".