HOLIDAY TOUR
Cerritos Center
Cerritos, CA
December 13, 2006
Last night's sold-out concert in Cerritos, California went beautifully. The
audience showed their appreciation throughout with enthusiastic applause and
standing ovations at the end.
After the opening orchestral piece conducted by Arnie Roth, the Tenors came
onstage. Finbar introduced them and quipped that they'd all want to move
here. "While everyone's shivering back East, we're basking in sunshine."
(Southern California has had beautiful weather this week!) The program was
similar to their other recent concerts: They began with The Harp That Once
Through Tara's Halls and Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears. Finbar introduced his
first solo, Isle of Inisfree, by recalling the John Wayne movie it came
from, The Quiet Man---everyone's favorite "Irish" movie, he said. Karl sang
Song for Ireland in his sweet, lyrical voice. Anthony's introduction of his
solo, Love Thee Dearest, was amusing. He mentioned it was written by Thomas
Moore, who also had penned their first song (The Harp That Once....) and
added dryly that Moore must have been "obsessed with death." He went on to
sing it exquisitely.
They sang the Courtin' Medley followed by two solos, Anthony's If I Can Help
Somebody, and Finbar's Shelter Me. Be Thou My Vision, Lord of the Dance,
and Amazing Grace rounded out the first half.
The second half opened with another superb orchestral medley, followed by
the Tenors' rendition of We Three Kings and My Forever Friend, whose
songwriter Finbar said was a Celtic "cousin" from Wales. Karl sang I'll Be
Home for Christmas and danced by himself during the instrumental section
midway through. The audience particularly enjoyed Karl---I think this song
got the most energetic applause. Finbar followed with his magnificent How
Great Thou Art. Anthony's reverent and spellbinding Lord's Prayer was the
highlight of the concert for me.
They sang a multi-lingual Silent Night. This was followed by a Christmas
medley from the orchestra. When the Tenors reappeared onstage, Finbar
recounted how they'd passed by many vinyards on their way from San Luis
Obispo. He joked that they'd tried to get their driver to stop, but the
driver wouldn't. Finbar finished with a quip that maybe they needed a new
driver! They proceeded to sing the Dublin Medley and then Fairytale of New
York.
It was during Fairytale that Anthony and Karl showed a flare for comedy so
perfect it's not easy to describe. Elegant in his white tie and tails,
Anthony began the song---"It was Christmas Eve babe, in the drunk
tank"---with his inimitable mix of sublime grace and deft mischief. As he
finished the wistful romantic lyric---"And dreamed about you"---he turned
slowly to point at Karl. Facing the audience, Karl's expression of
horror-struck, self-contained shock was priceless. When he sang the next
line, he put up his hands as if trying to block Anthony from his view. They
continued, their humorous interaction so smooth and instinctive, their comic
timing so effortless, they could have rivaled George Burns doing a skit with
Jack Benny. And they did it all while singing with a full orchestra behind
them!
They grew serious again for O Holy Night. Anthony sang the first verse in
French, followed by Karl and Finbar in English. The last song (before
encores) was Amigos Para Siempre. The audience stood and applauded until
they came back out and gave us a nice assortment of Christmas songs: a very
lively Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Winter Wonderland, White Christmas and
Jingle Bells. They finished with Danny Boy.
Oh, and by the way, Anthony said they'd be coming back to Cerritos next
year, "God willing" ---which is certainly an answer to MY prayers!
Lori Herter