| Atlantic Crossroads Festival continued |
| During the time before the Gala, I thought back on the 5 days of the Festival and the memories that made me smile. Colleen�s and Ron�s fan clubs managed to make it to the venues and those two played the most variety of songs. I think I�ve gushed enough about the two of them. Hugh and Ken didn�t ever need mics. Hugh performs always like a veteran, completely unflappable on stage, and Ken�s voice just kept getting stronger and better each time he performed. Martin was a complete surprise to festival attendees because he came equipped with a piano instead of an acoustic guitar. And they liked him for his funny as well as his serious songs.
Mark had a following all over the city. He really had a way with the ladies and they came out to support him at the shows. Plus he was the one who really seemed to enjoy singing. No matter where he was, there was a song. I�d love to road trip with him for this reason. Clare�s performances were in St. John�s were so much more confident than in Ireland. I hope her talent puts her out there soon. Her voice is as incredible as her songs. Niall�s giggle is most infectious and I think he was the most enthusiastic person of them all. Together with Mark, he was a willing participant in the spontaneous songs that came out any time three or four of the musicians would get together. I really enjoyed listening to his songs and he also had developed a bit of a following during the festival. He is definitely someone I�d like to hang out with. Mick and Ger made people want to take care of them. Mick came out onto the stage very hesitantly, as if we were going to throw things at him. He�d sit on the stool and hardly make eye contact with the audience. But this only served to make their connection with him even stronger. His songs sometimes seemed painfully personal and his demeanor made it look like he really needed a friend. And people sought out his CD and the younger people enjoyed his set very much also. Ger was the mascot of the Irish singers, I think. They all tried to take care of him as well as the Newfoundlanders. He is just so genuine in his dealing with people. He has such a thick accent and lapses into Irish at the drop of a hat. But he gladly explains what he said and will even give you a Irish lesson if you are willing. I loved speaking to him! I learned so much from every conversation. Ger loves to meet people and would chat with anyone who wanted to chat. Darrell was a lot like that in Cork, I understand, from comments made by his Newfoundland buddies in March. As endearing as this trait was, it made Ger often late. Today was no exception. At 2 PM, everyone except Ger was present for the final run-through of the Gala. He arrived in time for his song and the much ballyhooed bow practice. They must have practiced that for 45 minutes! And what can I say about Jim? Jim is such a wonderful person! To have had this vision with Ken Cotter in November and for the event to actually come to fruition � wow. The music that swirls around in his head touches each person who hears it in whatever form Jim chooses to release it. And he is a genuine person. He doesn�t put on airs, he treats people as he expects to be treated and is in general one of the most generous and kind people I know. Oh my! I could go on, but I�d better stop or this journal will never end! He made sure that the volunteers had some of the best seats in the house. I couldn�t have gotten better ones I think. When Jim said I could sit in a box seat with Susan and Dave, I gave my purchased ticket to someone who couldn�t have afforded to go otherwise. That was a pretty good seat, too, I understand. A stapled program was on my seat as I went into the box and sat down. I could see everything on stage and backstage on the right. Graham Wells� haunting whistle called everyone�s attention to the stage. The rest of the band came in on cue and the dancers joined them after a bit. The Gala was finally here! The thing that�s been in Jim�s mind since last November, had finally come to fruition. I couldn�t imagine how he must have felt! Must be like a baby being born after 9 months of waiting. The tickets said, �No photos� but I decided to try my luck. About 5 photos in, I was tapped on the shoulder and asked to stop with the flash. So I took some photos of the show, but as you can imagine, they didn�t turn out well. Some I felt I just had to document whether they were publishable or not - like Clare singing harmony to Ron�s Sonny�s Dream, like all the men joining Darrell on the chorus to Home, Boys, Home, like Pamela and Ron coming out to sing harmony on Ger�s Curra Road, like Darrell and others singing harmony to Hugh�s Theresa Marie, Niall in his concert duds, a Newfoundland Liberation Army shirt. I marveled at how seamlessly the show progressed, even to the point there was no lag time when the stage crew moved Martin�s grand piano in and out. Jim had suggested that one performer should be walking in as the other finishes, ready to begin as soon as the applause dies down. There were no comments or announcements during the show. The program told people who was singing and what the song was. There were a few surprises for me. I though I pretty much saw it all, but Jim�s sending me on errands served to provide me with delightful surprise at certain singing combinations. He didn�t want it to be old hat for me when I saw it! And you wonder why I think he�s so special! Intro - The Accessories with Grahm Wells, open with a haunting whistle piece and joined by the Shawn Silver Irish Dancers 1. Pamela Morgan - The Game with Clare 2. Martin Finn - It Wasn't Her 3. Hugh Scott - Theresa Maria with Darrell, Ger, Colleen and Clare 4. Ger Wolfe - The Curra Road with Ron, Pamela and Clare 5.Darrell Power - When Johnny Came Back From the War 6. Niall Connolly - When the Sun Is On Your Back 7. Ken Cotter � Coronation Street 8. Ron Hynes - Dirt Poor (a capella) and another one 9. Mick Flannery - In the Gutter 10. Colleen Power - Leavin' Song 11. Clare O'Mahony - I Can't 12. Mark Greville - All I Could See 13. Jim Fidler - Rhythm of the Goat/Downtown Girl with the Shawn Silver Irish Dancers and all the b'ys ntermission 1. Ger Wolfe - Heaven Paints Her Holy Mantle Blue 2. Martin Finn - Flying Little Midget with Ken and Mark 3. Pamela Morgan - Back Seat 4. Mick Flannery - Christmas Past (on the piano!) 5. Colleen Power - Phantome Denis (in French, no less!) 6. Ken Cotter - Still Canal 7. Clare O'Mahony - I'll Be There 8. Niall Connolly - Long Weekend 9. Mark Greville - Summertime 10. Darrell Power - We Know What We're Fighting For with the b�ys 11. Hugh Scott - Peter Kerrivan 12. Ron Hynes - Sonny's Dream with Clare 13. Jim Fidler - Song For Newfoundland Extro - The Accessories with Graham Wells and the Shawn Silver Irish Dancers and the expertly bowing performers (NOT!) What delighted me most about the whole Gala was the combinations of Irishmen and Newfoundlanders singing together. Before they got together in March in Cork at Moray's St. Patrick's Day Festival, none of these musicians had a clue about the others, except for Jim and Ken. In March, some of the songwriters wrote songs together and some experienced performers lent advice to tender newcomers. It happened again here in St. John's in June. Friendships have been formed and cemented on this trip and new songs written. Ger's Curra Road has been recorded on Jim's new album, Midnight Rover. And I hope those long-term relationships continue to grace both Irish and Newfoundland shores for many more years to come. When the Gala was over and everyone was leaving I �pulled a Mom� as my daughter says. An online friend from the mainland was coming to the Gala this evening and I was anxious to meet her. It occurred to me that I didn�t know what she looked like. So I formulated a plan while waiting for the show to start. I knew Lisa was in good physical shape and was young and her seat was about in the middle of the auditorium. That�s all I knew other than our mutual love for Great Big Sea. So I figured at I�d just yell, �Lisa!� and see who turned around. It worked! Lisa looked around and I called again. I waited till she noticed me waving at her and then yelled, �I�m Anne!� In the meantime, Shawn (futon) had come over to say �Hi!� Shawn had had the BEST seat in the house tonight � front row center! We arranged to meet at Erin�s in a bit. I found my way backstage but didn�t find Jim and Lillian. They couldn�t have gone far with the car, so I went out and checked the van. Maybe they were there. As I waited outside, Darrell came out with his lovely wife and, to my surprise, I discovered I had parked next to his car! �Whoa! I didn�t know that was your car!� I said. �I figured it was yours with the Pennsylvania plates,� he countered and introduced me to Sandy. She is personable and lovely. They make a great couple. I asked Darrell if he had seen Jim and Lillian but the answer was no and we parted ways. So I went back inside to search, running into Ron. He said he had seen them going towards the front lobby and asked for a ride home. We drove around to the front but Jim and Lillian were greeting old friends and not ready to go yet. Ron was anxious to be home and pack and get his dog, Iris, to his daughter�s house before he had to catch the 6 AM plane to Halifax. Martin and company had called for a cab to go to Erin�s, but Graham offered to take Ron to his house. |