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Anthony Kearns's concert in Lubbock, Texas on Saturday evening February 28 was just a bit late getting started. The reason may have been that so many people were still coming in. Just a few minutes before 7 P.M., we (my husband, our Lubbock friends Tom and Sue Hicks, and I) were beginning to get somewhat concerned about all the empty seats. I am not very good at guessing, and I don't even know how many seats the Civic Center Auditorium has, but I believe the attendance was good, by the time the first song was sung. Excitement and anticipation hung in the air as we waited.

Patrick came out first, followed by Anthony. The first five songs I had never heard before, although I have read much that many of you (who have attended more concerts than I have) have written about them. The first was "The Gentle Maiden." I think some of you have posted the lyrics; at least I have found them somewhere. I can't remember the melody now, but I hope I can find the music. "Off to Philadelphia" was light-hearted; it is my understanding that it is a "sad" goodbye to friends and family in Ireland, but the singer's anticipation of seeing someone in Philadelphia gets the better of him. " My Little Gray Home in the West" is lovely. Now, "Kashmiri Love Song" was completely new to me. I don't remember even reading about it. It was a contrast to most of the other songs, to say the least. One "new" song I have been wanting to hear Anthony sing was "The Palatine's
Daughter," and I was not disappointed.

After that song, Anthony left the stage and Patrick took over. He explained to us that his function was not to entertain us, but to give Anthony a break. If we were expecting to be entertained, we could forget it. He had a new story, one that Anthony had just told him the week before (so he claimed), since everyone has already heard all of Patrick's stories. Anthony's story was about an old couple who were beginning to have serious memory problems, and it was very funny (it hit a bit close to home for some of us who are almost to that age and whose memories are rapidly becoming a thing of the past--literally!).

Patrick told another story about going, as a boy, with his mother to London. This is one of Patrick's most famous stories...the one about the "gooseberry fool." Then Patrick got a bit more serious as he asked us to picture a harp in a lovely Victorian garden, as the breeze gently vibrated the strings. Then he went to the piano and played a piece that sounded exactly as he had described it Lovely. I wish I could remember the name of it.

After this Anthony returned, with "The Star of the County Down." I know all of you have heard this many times, but as for me, I never tire of it. Besides, it is sung just a bit differently every time (I even have a recording of it by the King's Singers). "As I Sit Here" is one I had associated with Ronan, since I first heard it on the Belfast concert. But Anthony sang it as if it were written for him. The announcement of the next song excited me, since I had read so much about it: "The Bould Gendarmes." I loved it; both Anthony and Patrick really got into character and let themselves go (Anthony's butterfly chasing was pure silliness). As has already been said many times, Anthony has such a talent for comedy, and I am delighted when he incorporates it into his performances. However, I am also delighted when he projects profound longing and sadness.

"The Old House" was next, and it can still bring me almost to tears even though I have heard it so many times. It always reminds me of my Grandmother's farmhouse, where my father and his brothers and sisters were born and grew up. Some of the outbuildings are still standing, but the house is gone and the people are dead or scattered.

Next came another new one--to me: "You Are My Heart's Delight," by Franz Lehar. Anthony first sang it in German, and the next time around in English. It was gorgeous, and I want to hear more of it. Then we heard the beginnings of the Percy French Medley: "Phil the Fluther," "Eileen Og," and "The Darling Girl from Clare."

"Trottin' to the Fair" I had only heard on a short television appearance that Anthony and Patrick did a good while back, so I was glad for the opportunity to hear--and see--it again. He does it so well! (What doesn't he do well?)

Anthony announced that the next song was written by a tenor, and that was the reason it is so difficult. He then sang the lovely "My Heart and I" by Richard Tauber.

Anthony again left the stage, and Patrick entertained us (even though that was not his purpose, as he had insisted). I had noticed that there had been a little mix-up about some misplaced music, but that was just part of the fun. Patrick said he had been around all kinds of singers since he began as an accompanist. A singer never sings a song quite the same way twice. The pianist must anticipate his/her tempo and adapt to every move. He said the relationship between singer and accompanist is very much like a marriage, except with all the difficulties and none of the benefits. He also told a story about a fat soprano, and another about Tosca and the trampoline. The audience loved them all. After the stories was the obligatory rendition of "And Her Mother Came Too," only Patrick had added a couple of new verses--at least since I had heard it. I leave you who have seen and heard this performance to imagine how funny it was.

Anthony came back onstage to sing the last section of the program. He began with "O Sole Mio," which I first heard Mario Lanza sing in the early 1950s. Of course, Pavarotti also made it his--but no more. It is now Anthony's. Another new one, with a bittersweet story, was "We'll Gather Lilacs in the Spring," about a soldier away at war who, with his beloved, is hopefully making plans for his return home.

The next song I did not recognize, although it sounded somewhat familiar. It was Italian; I believe it was "Mattinata." Someone has suggested that Anthony has made this next one his "signature song." If so, it was a good choice. To me, the lyrics of "If I Can Help Somebody" might be the words by which Anthony lives. He appears to be a selfless man, very considerate of others.

The program closed with "Danny Boy." I know several have said they are tired of it and wish Anthony and the Tenors would put it to rest for a while. I don't agree. I cannot imagine that I would ever tire of it--especially the way Anthony sings it. The audience rose to its collective feet and applauded enthusiastically until Anthony came back for one encore: "Granada" I had never heard him sing this one, although I have heard it sung many times, and have read glowing descriptions of his renditions. It showed off his singing prowess in a spectacular manner--a fitting climax for a beautiful evening.

I don't remember exactly where all the standing ovations occurred, but I think there were four. I hope Anthony and Patrick felt warmly appreciated; if the rest of the audience felt as we did, they should be planning their next visit to Lubbock--or somewhere nearby in Texas--right now. We will wait for that time, but not patiently.

Lavonne McClish'
Denton, Texas