|
|
Gospel Choir's amazing performance
23.07.09
|
by Liam Porter, Inishowen Independent
WHEN the Inishowen Gospel Choir was introduced on
Saturday night as one of the hottest musical acts to
have come out of Ireland in recent years, perhaps
some of those in the audience at Letterkenny’s
Grianan Theatre might have thought it an
exaggeration.
By the time they left however they didn’t think so,
following a performance that lifted them from being
awe-struck in their seats at the sheer quality of
what they were witnessing, to dancing in the aisles
at the end.
In a nutshell this was a once-in-a-lifetime gig that
those who had the great fortune to witness will
remember for a long time.
And what made it such a night to remember was the
fact that while normally a choir might be called
upon to lend support and backing to a big act, this
time the big acts came to support the choir - each
one indicating they felt honoured to be there. |
Local Blues/Folk singer
Mark Black was first on stage with the choir kicking
off with ‘Sweet Rescue Blues,’ a song about the day
he and his brother were rescued having drifted out
into the Atlantic while surfing off Bundoran.
The choir then welcomed to the stage Natty Wailer
from Jamaica, (a man who played with Bob Marley),
for a couple of Reggae classics before an amazing
performance from Joe Echo from Castledawson with his
own |
 |
Tilly’s Cowboy followed
by a truly outstanding rendition of Queen’s
‘Somebody to Love.’
The choir’s rendition of ‘Shackles’ led by
Carrowmenagh’s Marie Therese Doherty had the second
half off to a rocking start before Liam O’Maonlaigh
of Hothouse Flowers fame took to the stage to join
with the choir in a performance that had everyone in
the house just wanting more.
The choir’s patron Moya Brennan of Clannad fame then
joined forces with them for a few numbers including
their version of Amazing Grace to the air of House
of the Rising Sun.
Choir manager Katherine O’Callaghan had been
organising all day and suggested her voice had
“kinda gone,” but it didn’t sound like it when she
and the choir gave a magnificent rendition of ‘Jesus
gonna work it out.’
And if that wasn’t enough all of the special guests
were back on stage for a rousing finale that had the
audience dancing in the aisles and refusing to leave
without an encore.
That came in the guise of a second blast of
‘Shackles’ and while all of the guests joined in
once more, the bare-footed Liam O’Maonlaigh looked
like he was particularly enjoying himself.
But then again, why wouldn’t he? After all,
everybody else was having a magnificent time at a
show that really was a fitting finale to the Errigal
Arts Festival.
For those who have never had the chance to see the
Inishowen Gospel Choir perform, keeping an eye out
for their forthcoming gigs is a must (they play at
the Glasgowberry festival in County Derry on 25th
July).
For those who had the chance last weekend but didn’t
take it – ha, ha – you missed one amazing, once in a
lifetime show. |
|
