PABST THEATRE
MILWAUKEE, WI
MARCH 13, 2008
It was a pure treat to welcome the Irish Tenors to a balmy Milwaukee tonight,
considering their last visit was during a fluke late - Autumn snowstorm 4 weeks
before Christmas last. But with the Spring comes the thaw, and with St. Patrick’s
Day right around the corner came the Irish Tenors to a theater filled to the rafters.
First I should share that Arnie Roth was in attendance tonight, and it was like
all The Boys were together again. Anthony introduced Finbar and Karl, and
called Arnie “grandpa”…not, as it turned out, to joke about his gray hair. He just
became a grandfather for the first time, actually and genuinely! Congratulations,
Arnie!
All three men looked rested and pleased to be back in their tuxes and on stage.
Finbar has either been enjoying the sunshine or has found a great shade of
pancake! There were a few choices I don’t recall having heard before, but for
the most part it was a good, fun night of favorite Irish songs. I think they chose
standards from every one of their CDs. Anthony sang a sweet “Grace” and a
haunting “She Moved thro’ the Fair”.
Karl’s solos included a pretty “The Water is Wide”, “Lift the Wings” and “The
Last Rose of Summer”. Finbar offered a lovely “I’ll Take You Home Again
Kathleen” in memory of a woman who passed a few weeks back and had planned
to be at the concert. He also sang “Little Brigid Flynn” with as much delightful
“woe is me” as I’ve ever seen him do it.
All three did “Star of the County Down”, “Golden Jubilee”, “Rose of Tralee”,
"Glorious St. Patrick” and a rousing Percy French Medley, with Anthony feigning
shortness of breath after his Phil, and Finbar having more fun with his coach
not arriving on time than Percy ever could have. The orchestral train “whistle”
didn’t come in very strong so Anthony took over for the whistle. AND Karl
and Anthony seemed to catch Finbar off-guard with their silliness as the song
came to its end and drew an out-and-out laugh from him. “My Irish Molly-O”
was another trio lively done.
The three sang a medley of songs from their counties (from what I could gather),
one being “The Banks of My Own Lovely Lee” (Finbar) and another “The Boys of
Wexford” (Anthony). I believe the title of Karl’s was “The Banks of Moonkin”...
I hope someone else can clarify this one for us.
While I would have loved to hear even more new entries, I was happy to hear
all of these particular wonderful, familiar Irish songs. Especially as they were
performed tonight. After all, we are on the very cusp of St. Patrick’s Day, and
what better way to spend an evening than surrounded by others who love
good Irish music…and being serenaded by The Irish Tenors?
Judy Matzke
