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Shot before a live audience at the historic Grand Opera House in Belfast, "The Music Of Northern Ireland" stars Northern Irish pop tenor Eamonn McCrystal and features performances by singer-songwriter Brian Kennedy, Broadway star Rachel Tucker, and singers-songwriters Keith and Kristyn Getty, all of whom hail from Northern Ireland.
The concert celebrates a wide array of music and artists originating from the country, including Van Morrison (“Moondance,” “Brown Eyed Girl”) and Jimmy Kennedy (“Red Sails in the Sunset,” “South of the Border”), along with haunting, traditional pieces like “Carrickfergus,” “Danny Boy” and more. An impressive orchestra led by musical director Nigel Wright, producer for Andrew Lloyd Webber and Simon Cowell, accompanies the performance.
Eamonn McCrystal is a renowned adult contemporary vocalist, TV personality and radio host. Born in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, he made his musical debut at the age of nine and recorded his first album at 13. He has collaborated with major artists/producers including Walter Afanasieff, Kristin Chenoweth and Randy Travis. Eamonn is slated to appear with Whoopi Goldberg, Ashley Judd and Patrick Wilson in the 2015 movie "Big Stone Gap." He is also featured on the movie soundtrack.
Special guest Brian Kennedy was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The singer-songwriter came to prominence as one of Van Morrison’s backup singers, appearing on a string of recordings including “A Night in San Francisco,” “Days Like This,” “The Healing Game” and “Back on Top.” He performed on the original version of the song “You Raise Me Up” and was also the original voice of “Riverdance.”
Belfast-born special guest Rachel Tucker is a singer and actress who is perhaps best known for playing London’s West End’s Elphaba in the hit musical "Wicked"; she has played the role longer than any other actress in the production's history. In September 2014, Rachel began starring on Broadway as the leading lady in Sting’s new musical "The Last Ship."
Other special guests are Northern Irish singer-songwriters and recording artists Keith and Kristyn Getty, who are among the preeminent modern hymn composers of this generation. They are best known for “In Christ Alone,” the world-renowned hymn that has been recorded by numerous artists over the past decade and which is sung in churches around the globe.
"The Music Of Northern Ireland" features these performances:
• “Moondance,” written by Van Morrison
• “My Prayer,” lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy
• “Carrickfergus,” featuring Brian Kennedy. Carrickfergus is a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
• “Red Sails in the Sunset,” lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy, was inspired by a sailboat seen off the coast of Portstewart, Northern Ireland.
• “Brown Eyed Girl,” written by Van Morrison
• “Will Ye Go Lassie Go,” Northern Irish folk song, featuring Wendy Luck on flute
• “A Living Prayer,” by Eamonn McCrystal
• “The Island,” this duet sung by Eamonn McCrystal & Rachel Tucker compares other tragic world events with the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
• “Life, Love & Happiness,” written by Brian Kennedy and featuring Rachel Tucker
• “South of the Border,” lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy, inspired by a postcard he received from Mexico
• “Reasons to Leave,” written by Kieron Goss, who was born in County Down, Northern Ireland
• “In Christ Alone,” featuring Keith & Kristyn Getty
• “Danny Boy”/“You Raise Me Up,” duet with Eamonn McCrystal and Brian Kennedy. The melody of “You Raise Me Up” resembles the traditional Irish tune “Londonderry Air,” best known as the tune to “Danny Boy.”
Eamonn McCrystal is on Facebook, Pinterest, and you can follow @EamonnMcCrystal on Twitter.
