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Irish Musical Invasion...

By Wouter van Emst
From De Telegraaf

On 7 February, the Irish Unplugged tour will start in the Netherlands. Three Irish artists will bring their music to no less than twenty theatres in our country. Besides Frances Black, with her contemporary Irish music, also Kieran Goss (singer/songwriter) and Dave Munnelly and friends (traditional Irish songs) will perform.

A colourful mix, but according to Frances that is the strength of this upcoming tour. “It is a very good combination, because all three of us are so different. Dave always makes me cheerful and Kieran writes songs that are mostly uplifting. Together we ensure an varied evening, I believe.”

Frances’ big international breakthrough really happened in 1992, due to her being part of the compilation album ‘A woman’s heart’, with only songs from Irish female singers. “Before that, I performed mainly in smaller venues; afterwards I had to perform more often for larger audiences. People started to recognize my name, which really helped with the sales of my own albums.”

With her music, Frances Black tries to give the listener a good idea of who she really is. “My songs are about experiences and events from my life. For example about my homeland Ireland, friendships, lost loves or my children. They tell my story.”

Stronger
The concert that Frances was supposed to give in October in the Netherlands was cancelled at the last moment. The singer was completely exhausted from all the tours and got the advice from her doctors to stay at home and especially not to go flying. “I rested well and long and now I am back, stronger than ever. The Irish Unplugged tour gives me an excellent opportunity to make it up with the Dutch audience.”

‘Irish Unplugged’: fri. 7 feb., Music Centre, Eindhoven (premiere), phone. 040-244.20.20; sat. 8 feb., De Lawei, Drachten, phone. 0512-51.33.44; sun. 9 feb., De Flint, Amersfoort, phone 033-472.60.94. After that till the end of February in various theatres across the whole country. For more information see www.pbmusicprom.nl