Boston! A weekend we will never forget!
Wow! We were blessed to join our dear friends Joe & Kathy for 3 shows in Boston. The lads were FANTASTIC – and each show was better than the last! We started Saturday afternoon at the front of the beautiful old Colonial theater, a treasured relic with ornate details befitting The Kings. They put on a high energy show and blew away the crowd with their lively performance and amazing harmony. They each had family and friends in attendance and shared their special memories of Boston.
By the end of the 1st song the crowd was singing and clapping along….so much so that I heard one gentleman say “Well now, the crowd’s done all the work and the lad’s will be getting the GLORY – well deserved though!” he laughed. The addition of “The Irish Rover “ really had the rafters rocking! As Joe said “simply two hours filled with great music, fun laughter and applause”.
The new solos were a real surprise, and all were Fabulous!!! Brian leads off as he floods the place with emotion singing a stirring and romantic song. Beautiful! He certainly stormed to the top with that one! Finbarr proceded to engage the place with his traveling tale…The crowd had such fun with this one, and Finbarr got a chance to really shine.
Martin swept us off our feet with his hilarious family tale and the best version of “Star of the County Down” we’ve ever heard! You will never get this one out of your mind! The folks went wild with this one! And we laugh just thinking of his tales! Darren does a poignant solo of that is absolutely brilliant! Cant get it out of my head!
The powerful anthem “The Fields of Glory” was definitely a crowd pleaser, and showcases percussionist Andrew Reilly, who is a MASTER! His bodhran skills are unsurpassed. The multi-talented Ewan Cowley is delightful as he switches from guitar, to Mandolin, Bouzouki, and Keyboard and we just love to watch him sing along! Step-dancer Shane McAvinchey is just too good to be true! You cant help but return his brilliant smile as he dances unbelievably across the stage. Deidre Frost is a beautiful addition and quite a fine Bass player too. Nolliag Casey makes the fiddle come alive. And Frank Mulcahy is fabulous on the Button Accordian. There is also a wonderful piper, and our fabulous 4 as they play whistles, guitars, banjos, bodhrans…..the talent is overwhelming! And the crowd ate it up! Popcorn and snacks were quickly discarded to make way for clapping, foot-stomping and singing along!
We celebrated Martin’s birthday Saturday, and surprised him with a heartfelt (but off key and out of time)
version of “Happy Birthday” from the crowd as the lads took their bows.
These 3 shows were so much fun and these words just cant begin to describe the experience. Martin, Darren, Brian and Finbarr put on a show that is so full of talent, yet warm and personal at the same time. The interaction with the crowd is brilliant. It’s been hours since we left the last show, and my palms still hurt from all the clapping!!!
Well done friends!
Charlie & Norma