Just some bits and pieces from the Irish Tenor concert in Port
Angeles. For the first time in a long time, there was actually
a printed program. The only thing missing from the program
was Pie Jesu, don't know the reason, forgot to ask. Anthony
was definitely in a playful mood as was Karl. Finbar was
more stoic preferring not to get involved in most of the
nonsence and getting on with the business of singing.
Anthony was sporting a new, short haircut, the kind I hate,
no whisps of curls on the forehead, but whatta ya gonna do?
Finbar was his usual dapper self. What struck me about Karl
was his almost military bearing and stance. All in all, it was
like a chorus of Angels descending upon Port Angeles in white
tie and tails.
Actually it was kind of nice to hear some of the 'old' songs,
but the new one that knocked my socks off was Angels Guard
Thee. It was spectacular. Anthony kept a close eye on
Arnie so I suspect there were a few tempo problems but
it didn't show. At the end of the song, he gave Arnie an
"it was merely okay" signal. If that was merely okay,
I can hardly wait for Monday night in Seattle when he
really gets it right, lol. I don't think I have heard them
do Hark the Herald Angels Sing before. The harmony
was very intricate and closely integrated with Finbar
and then Anthony singing an interesting counterpoint.
I think that is the right term.
They came out the first half with bare lapels. The flowers
must have been delivered to three other tenors or something,
but they came out after halftime (I have been watching too
much football) sporting lovely red roses. Since the seats
are set back a ways from the stage, at the end of the concert,
they took off their flowers and literally lobbed them into the
audience. I have never been witness to that. I have seen
them hand and sometimes toss flowers. These were major
league throws except for Karl, or was it Arnie, who tossed
the rose into the first row to Kathleen, or was it Colleen?
There was a meet and greet after the concert, so we had
a chance to say hello, have pictures and generally make
nuisances of ourselves. I asked Karl wasn't it about time
they made a CD with Karl in it. He looked me straight in
the face with those innocent blue eyes and said it was in
the pipeline. Anthony glanced up to see who would ask
such a silly question in the first place and then immediately
told Karl, "Oh, she won't fall for that. She's heard it all before."
Some things never change.
PORT ANGELES, WA
DECEMBER 15, 2007
Charlie Johnson
Fay Loux
