Rwestbury3 - Page: 1 of 1

As you can tell I am home from the Irish Tenor wars!! The concerts were good, but seeing the back of even Finbar's head over the span of two hours is a bit much. The stage circled the audience, which would be fine for a solo performer, but with three coming and going and about 20 musicians on the stage too and the conductor, with the remaining 27 or so in the pit made for problems. Arnie handled it well the second night, he is so great!!

The first night Arnie wasn't there and the substituted conductor was okay, but he just did not really help the fellas out at all. He was beside them and they could not see him and well they were on their own. As professionals they did carry on and did a wonderful job. I have to tell you that the songs from the 1916 rebellion were some of my favorites. Their new arrangement of Nearer My God is so great and Go Tell It On The Mountain and You'll Never Walk Alone could not be done better. Then of course there were the songs they do pretty much each time which are on the WTK CD and yes, of course to me Finbar brought down the place with How Great Thou Art. No, I am not bias!! LOL

There was one specific aisle they were to go up and down, it had a ramp - I should tell you that this place has rows extending 60 feet up from the stage and the aisle are on a very, very steep incline. People without problems have trouble going up and down. But just think what Ronan had to go through. The stage circled slowly as I said and it did not stop where they were to get off and on. When they were done singing they had to figure out where they were to get to the correct place to get off. At times it looked like a game of hide and seek. Ronan had to get a running start to get up the aisle and by God he did make it every time. Once they were still seating people when they had to go off, and it was like a bad dance with the fellas trying not to hit the ladies in the aisle.

I am not sure I would do this trip again even if I got to sit on Anthony's lap and nibble Ronan's ear while playing with Finbar's long curly hair, it might add to my enjoyment at least. Not that I didn't have fun seeing all of my friends and meeting people that I had only talked to previously - but again seeing their backsides, which would have been okay, but they coat tails were very long LOL Is worth it. The price of the tickets for the venue was reasonable and again the fun of being with friends is the best part of the experience.

Would I recommend an Irish Tenor concert as a cure for all your ills no, but if you are looking for a good time and a lift to your spirit go to one, two or twenty you will never be disappointed.

Avid Irish Tenor Fan who wishes to remain anonymous