DAPD - October 26, 2010
translation by Astrid Nolde-GallaschChris de Burgh sings again about mythical stories
Cologne / Berlin - On his new record Chris de Burgh scoops again from a pool of traditional adventure stories: "Moonfleet" is the title of a book by J. Meade Falkner, which has already been released in 1898. It's the name of a village in the South of England, where the orphan boy John Trenchard gets a guardian in the year 1757. He is the boss of a gang of smugglers. Together they experience a dramatical treasure hunt. On March 25, 2011 Chris de Burgh starts his German tour in Saarbrücken. The 62 year old musician who was born as a son of a British diplomate in Argentina talked in a video interview in Cologne about his new songs among other things. The dialogue went as follows: What do you think about Cologne? de Burgh: Cologne is one of my favourite cities in Germany. I have been here about 50 to 60 times. I always stay in the same hotel. Here you have a wonderful view over the river Rhine and the cathedral. I always walk over the passenger bridge. Those who are freshly in love hang padlocks to the bridge - everlasting love - that's great. What inspired you to your new album "Moonfleet & Other Stories"? de Burgh: "Moonfleet" is actually a book. It is an unusual thing. I have read it as a teenager, because it was obligatory in school. I think all school children in Britain had to read it. It is a wonderful story about smugglers, hidden treasures, Blackbeard's ghost and a love story. It is a story about friendship. It is very dramatic. And last year, or earlier this year, I thought instead of always making a regular CD with ten or twelve songs, I wanted to make something completely extraordinary. It is like a leap in the dark. Initially I thought that the Moonfleet passage would be about 20 minutes long - but it became about 50 minutes. It starts with a six minute overture. It is as if you go into a movie or on the stage of a musical. The CD has been recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the Abbey Road studios in London. A fantastic sound! How has your career changed in comparison to earlier days? de Burgh: I have learned a lot. I have written and recorded over 250 songs - about all kinds of things. I know that people probably know me best because of "Lady In Red", but this is just the tip of the iceberg. I have written many dramatic songs, rock songs like "High On Emotion" or "Don't Pay The Ferryman" - big hits for me. My voice has changed a lot, compared to when I was 25 years old. (...) I have been in the music business since 36 years. I have learned a lot, but most of all I have learned to build a connection with the audience. You have grown up in a diplomate family, and travelled all over the world. Has this influenced your music? de Burgh: I think travelling is the best education that you can get. Born in Argentina, lived in Africa, experiencing the different cultures, listening to the music, meeting the people, eating the different dishes, smelling the food. I still travel. And I am still thankful for the possibility to travel all over the world. I believe it is a great chance to understand that we are all equal. It doesn't matter what colour your skin is made of, what moves you, we all have the same fears, the same feelings, we all enjoy life, we are all afraid of death, we all want to love and all of us have been broken-hearted at some point. You have also been to Iran. de Burgh: (...) My music is very popular there since over 25 years. We have been told that we could sell over a million tickets in Tehran. That is incredible. We have met wonderful people, but because of the big changes there we could not return. And on "Moonfleet" I wrote a song which is called "People Of The World". It is dedicated to a young woman, who is called Neda Agha- Soltan, who has been shot right into the heart. She was 26 years old, and she was half a kilometre away from the demonstration. She got out of her car and a militiaman has shot her - without reason. A completely innocent woman. And I hope that the day will come when I can return and can perform there for the people under different conditions.