Just how many superlatives are there in the English language?
I am running out of descriptives! Anthony in Sacramento? As luck
would have it, my sister lives down the road and around the corner
from St. Rose Church so she accompanied me to the Msgr. Kavanaugh
Center for the concert last Saturday. The weather was a rather warm,
90° plus, which was heaven to me, but not so much for Anthony and
Patrick. The Center did have A/C, but I guess not in the dressing room,
so Anthony was most anxious to get out to the concert. First we
were entertained with the local Celtic dancers, and then there they were!
As Lori said, Anthony is now combing his hair in what I call his
"big boy" look on the side, but the errant curl still manages to
escape and caress his forehead, very stylish.
The programme was mostly new with some old favorites. He
began with The Minstrel Boy. There was some throat clearing
because of the weather and the A/C, but the voice was clear and true
as always. Vale of Avoca, Kitty Me Love, Finiculi, Finicula, which he
directed us for the chorus of la-la-la's, O Sole Mio, superb as always.
Then it was left to Patrick to entertain us, and this he did, then
sang Nine Pence Fiddle.
Anthony returned with You are my Heart's Delight. I can never
remember the German title; The Old House, which I love to death,
one of his more poignant songs; then on to something lighter,
McBreen's Heifer always assured to raise the spirits. Just a
Song at Twilight. For some reason, I just love three-quarter
time. It has such a nice pace, perfect for Anthony's easy
style. He introduced I'll Be Seeing You explaining that it was
from his PBS special (nice plug, lol). Now on to one I had never
heard them do, Barcarole in duet, insert your favorite adjective here.
Intermission or interval as you wish.
He came back with How Are Things in Glocca Morra, The
Impossible Dream and explained that is what won him Ireland's
"Search for a Tenner." I had never heard him sing that one
either so I was grateful. Galway Bay, Sally Gardens and then
Came Gounod's Ave Maria, 'sigh.'
Patrick was back to regale us with a couple of new stories
and sing Isle of Innisfree.
Anthony was back with 2 Edith Piaf songs, La Vie en Rose, in
French and English, then told the gentlemen they could leave
whilst he sang to the ladies with Under the Bridges of Paris.
We are coming to the end now, and Anthony and Patrick sang
Friendship with all the great fun that entails. Time to Say
Goodbye that he starts in Italian, I believe, and finishes in English.
It is so nice that way since a lot of concert goers are not so
familiar with some of the songs. No concert is complete without
Danny Boy, then a rousing version of Granada to a standing ovation.
Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!!!
The concert was well attended and the audience most
appreciative. Hopefully they will have them back, he said,
at a different time of the year. This would be fine with me.
Did I say they were superb?
by Fay Loux
- ROSE CHURCH
SACRAMENTO, CA
September 25, 2010