Finbar in February
2009
Sharyl Madeloni


Finbar in February was fabulous...those of you who have never been able to see a Finbar solo would 
not believe the difference between his solo and his Irish Tenors persona !!! He is amazing and the 
Irish people just adore him...he is held in such high esteem there he can do no wrong in their eyes 
(nor in mine) !!!
 
The emotion, passion and heart he pours into each song is such a moving experience for all....by the 
final exit he is visibly exhausted, perspiration-soaked and the audiences are filled with jubilation, wanting 
him to stay, calling for "more, more!" It is such a wonderful feeling to see this reaction as well as be a 
part of it all !!! 
 
I feel privileged to attend Finbar's solo concerts, sit in my little seat, insignificant as myself but proud as 
a member of the throng that, as one unit, surges up with shouts of acclamation and thunderous 
appreciation at the end of each and every performance! To feel so much love pass from audience to 
hero and back again, as he bows and throws out kisses like twinkling beams of light, is a rare treat for 
sure. 
 
Unlike (unfortunately) with the Irish Tenors, in solo Finbar moves, twists, sways, gestures, exuberantly 
singing, giving so much of himself that I am always reminded of the Wordsworth poem "If Thou Indeed 
Derive Thy Light From Heaven":
 
If thou indeed derive thy light from Heaven,
Then, to the measure of that heaven-born light,
Shine, Poet! in thy place, and be content ...
 
I believe, this time around, my favorite song has to be "Bright Blue Rose" with its spiritual tidings, 
conveyed perfectly by Finbar, seated alone, with but Colin McLean on the guitar...so incredibly beautiful.
 
The encores, La Bamba and Blaze Away, (especially in the National Concert Hall in Dublin) had people up 
and dancing -- and when Finbar, himself moving rhythmically to the beat, spotted a lady in the box seats 
having herself a grand time he began to dance with her - though the physical space between them was 
significant, LOL.
 
Before I forget, Finbar has done a stress management CD produced by Mental Health Ireland and I only 
wish I had it 3 weeks ago, LOL !!!!! Our Finbar does a wonderful job with that buttery speaking voice of 
his and it is worth that alone!!!
 
Hopefully the economy around the world will take a turn for the better and Ireland, and Finbar, won't seem 
so far away in the future!!!