| Page 2 of 2 < |
MUSIC
-- Mark J. Estren
  |
Irish Tenors
The luck of the Irish may be legendary, but there's a lot to say for the skill of the Irish, as demonstrated by the Irish Tenors' blending of traditional and modern songs at Wolf Trap on Friday night.
It's the first U.S. tour for this particular trio of Anthony Kearns, Karl Scully and Finbar Wright. As the new tenor on the block, Scully -- who just joined the group, replacing John McDermott -- had the most to prove, and prove it he did, with a wonderfully light voice and clear enunciation.
Kearns and Wright are old hands at this music. Their darker, fuller voices were a good fit with the many melancholy lyrics. The three tenors' tones blended beautifully in songs such as Phil Coulter's remembrance of Derry, "The Town I Loved So Well," as well as "The Irish Rover" and "The Stone Outside Dan Murphy's Door."
Many sentimental, nostalgic solos dealt with the Irish diaspora, such as Scully's heartfelt "A Song for Ireland." But some standouts had other sources: Wright's tender "The Isle of Innisfree" came from the 1952 film "The Quiet Man." Wright's "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)" was the most incongruous song in the concert. Why perform it? Because the lyrics are by Ireland's Jimmy Kennedy, who also wrote the words to "Teddy Bears' Picnic" -- which the enthusiastic backup orchestra, under conductor Arnie Roth, played as an instrumental interlude. The tenors did not sing "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," but plenty were smiling -- some tearing up -- by the evening's end.
-- Mark J. Estren
Morris Day
Morris Day sounded good but looked even better at Constitution Hall on Friday night. Although the name Vanity belongs to another Prince pupil, Day is perhaps more deserving of the moniker. The singer adjusted the buttons of his suit jacket and his fly with care and indulged in short grooming breaks. While gazing into his ubiquitous mirror (proffered by valet/tireless hype man Jerome Benton), Day dabbed sweat and smoothed errant hairs. "Primpin' ain't easy!" shouted an audience member. Nope, but it sure is fun.
While Jas Funk spun a tremendous opening DJ set, Georgia funk rockers Mother's Finest earned a thunderous standing ovation, and Average White Band brought the entire room to its feet with "School Boy Crush" and "Pick Up the Pieces," could any of them sport a winter coat in August and still look cool? Before singing "Gigolos Get Lonely Too," Day slung a white wool duster over his shoulders for effect. "What's the matter?" he asked when the crowd hooted. "Y'all ain't never seen a pimp before?"
Morris Day and the Time, the band that launched the careers of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, revisited its bawdiest '80s funk dance tracks and some Day solo material: the paean to pantyhose, "Fishnet"; wedding singer staple "Jungle Love"; and "777-9311," digits still given out to unwanted admirers everywhere.
His steps are no longer of-the-moment, but Day excels at leading fans in a silly "brand-new dance," and his most enduring songs have corresponding choreography. "The Oak Tree" calls for vigorous jazz hands, "The Bird" requires furious arm-flapping, and "The Walk" is a modified, exaggerated two-step. Uncoordinated? Here's a series of moves anyone can execute: Bop head, roll up sleeve, look at watch and check the time.
-- Sarah Godfrey
