 © All Rights Reserved Monday 21st July 2003 The Emerald Isle plays the Rose City |
By KYLE O'BRIEN The Irish Tenors are more than just three Irish lads standing on stage singing favorite songs of their homeland. Tenors Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns and Finbar Wright put on a complete show Saturday night at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, backed by a full orchestra and backlit by rich lighting and a massive screen portraying pretty cirrus clouds. It was enough to make even non-Irish eyes smile. The tenors, three of the finest voices from the Emerald Isle, offered a choreographed, crowd-pleasing set of Irish favorites and "immigrant songs." The three have been performing together for five years, and the refined show was a testament to their time together. While all got plenty of time to shine on their own, as a trio they were at their strongest, their distinct tones blending beautifully on tunes such as "My Bonnie Irish Lass" and "Will Ye Go Lassie Go?" The sometimes sentimental tunes were balanced by the trio's wit as they threw in takes on themselves and the songs. They even managed a bit of dance, which, in their dapper white tuxes, made them look like the Irish Rat Pack. Above all, the tenors were storytellers, singing tales of characters like the randy "Red-Haired Mary" and the touching "My Grandfather's Immigrant Eyes," following the great tradition of Irish song. Each had a chance to sing solo. Tynan's voice was full and deep and the most animated, while Kearns projected high and clear with a pleasing lilt. Wright's voice was the most engaging. His "South of the Border" came across rich and clean, sounding a bit like Mario Lanza. Not everything was perfect. The three looked often to conductor Arnie Roth for cues, occasionally looking lost, though the music never suffered. All appeared disturbed by their in-ear monitors. The music near the end went a bit maudlin. Their rendition of "My Heart Will Go On," often referred to as the theme from the film "Titanic," was better than the Celine Dion version, though still syrupy. A marching "God Bless America" was also slightly over the top. But an encore of the all-time Irish favorite "Danny Boy" got things back on track, earning the three a standing ovation. |
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"The Little Yellow Bus" Tenors Tour Site! © Marie L.Collins 2003. All Rights Reserved. |