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Irish Tenors breathtaking

By Daniel Hines
Publisher
TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com

There can never be any doubting of the tremendous talent of The Irish Tenors, Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns and John McDermott, but at the end of a truly magnificent and moving performance at The Fabulous Fox Theater in St. Louis, a very special, intimate side of the group was revealed, as well as a major move in an expansion of the breadth of their performances.

Of course, there were the usual delightful and always popular Irish folk songs ranging from jigs to ballads of sacrificed love for freedom, but the first part of the show was a breath-taking insight into the commitment of the Tenors and their strong faith in God exhibited by a wide range of selections from a soon-to-be-released new album, ‘My Forever Friend.’

The title song was performed by John McDermott, who was one of the original members of the Tenors.  based upon his fantastic styling throughout the evening, but especially on ‘My Forever Friend’, written by Charlie Landsborough, it is great to have him reunited with Finbar and Anthony.

The evening was filled with highlights, one after the other.  At the risk of leaving one or other of the highlights out, we have picked one for each singer that left us most impressed.

John’s rendition of ‘My Forever Friend’, with its haunting lyrical qualities relating a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and his gift of life on the cross, should give one thought for His sacrifice and His steadfastness as a friend. 

Finbar, the subject of a previous interview
(click here to read Finbar’s tribute to the role of Americans in preserving the Irish music heritage),
was equally moving with his rendering of ‘How Great Thou Art.’  His wonderful voice and his respectful manner for the song brought the audience to its feet. 

Anthony, who seems to be the most ‘youthful’ of the trio, brings boyish good looks that belie his wonderful voice, and his story of the goodbye of an Irish rebel awaiting death in prison to his love, Grace, is the best rendition of the lovely ballad I have ever heard. 

A poignant moment was provided by a tribute to veterans when the group asked all veterans to stand for a moment of applause and tribute from the audience, the prelude to a moving song about the contributions of those who had paid the final sacrifice along with a pledge that ‘we shall never forget.’

We reviewed the Tenors during their last visit to St. Louis.  At that time, I commented on the fact that while Italian tenors get the credit for ‘love ballads’, actually the commitments of the Irish love songs, the deep affections of husband and wife, lovers and friends, exceeds that of the Italian songs.  In many of the ballads such as ‘I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen,’ the sincerity of the delivery transformed the music from just a singer performing to one expressing a quality of commitment.

Added to the truly inspiring selections from ‘My Forever Friend’ this show by The Irish Tenors was memorable.  And, as my wife, Brooks, said after the show, she wondered if the angles in Heaven could make music as beautiful. 

Perhaps so, but it is wonderful to know that when we do get to Heaven, the Tenors will be there…and I’m sure God will have a request or two for His favorite songs.