| Fan Story - Gisela Böhnisch | |
|---|---|
| Author: | Gisela Böhnisch |
| Date: | 25 October 2002 |
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| E-mail: | |
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The Corn Exchange, Cambridge, 25th October 2002 - Gisela Böhnisch
“I´d rather feel the thorn than to never see the rose...“
The first time I heard Mary singing live was during the Clinton visit in December 1995 in front of Trinity College in Dublin. Her performance of “Song For Ireland“ sent shivers down my spine and brought me very close to tears. How can you describe a voice which is more beautiful than anything else you´ve ever heard before? It was just pure magic! Unfortunately, moving from Ireland to the UK and back to Germany during the past few years, I managed to miss all of her concerts until this October when her gig in Cambridge just seemed to fit perfectly into my own travel plans. And there I was, being completely overwhelmed again by this incredibly powerful voice. I don´t know how she does it, but with every song she sings, she completely draws you into this world of emotions. Whether the songs are cheerful or melancholy, she always manages to put you into that particular mood almost instantaneously.
Another thing that keeps striking me about her songs is the fact that I find it very hard to say which ones I like best. Somehow she always manages to choose songs which seem to have one common red thread, but are at the same time amazing musical jewels in their own right.
Out of all the gems she performed that evening - many of them from the new best of album and “Hidden Harvest” - I particularly loved “Flesh And Blood” (one of my all time favourites), “Into The Blue” (lovely bouncy with the audience clapping and singing the chorus) and “Ring Them Bells“ (wonderfully powerful). But then again, some of the slower songs, such as “I Will Be There” (duet with Pat Crowley) and “The Loving Time” (always gives me goosepimples...) are just so incredibly moving that you wish time would stop right there and then... However, after several encores, the best bit was still to come. I can not value it high enough that Mary takes the time to meet her fans after the shows. When I recall that moment now, so many questions come to my mind which I would have liked to ask her and simply couldn´t think of when I had the chance to. But I guess the most important thing both the fans and Mary herself get from the concerts and the casual meetings afterwards is the feeling of sharing one passion. The passion for music, for the beauty of the moment and a positive, invigorating feeling that leaves the fans smiling on their way home and still long after that night. And a feeling that hopefully makes Mary realise how much joy she brings into people´s lives. Mary, if you should ever read this, and I hope you´re going to sometime, I hope you´re aware of the unique talent you have for inspiring people with your touching voice and your warm and humorous personality. I can only hope that the loyalty and enthusiasm of your fans is as rewarding for you as listening and speaking to you is inspiring for us.
Despite all the excitement of that night, when I finally left the venue I
found it extremely hard not be sad about probably having to wait for months
until I could see Mary again at a live concert. But then a line from “The
Thorn Upon The Rose” came to my mind and whenever I start to feel a tiny
bit sad now, I´m trying to remember that you can´t experience
absolute joy without knowing the opposite, too. (After all, we can be pretty
glad, can´t we, that Mary not only has such a unique gift, but has also
been able to use it in such a positive way. Or can you imagine her working
as some sort of accountant or bank clerk in Ballsbridge only singing at home
under the shower?) Thus “I´d rather feel the thorn than to never
see the rose” just sums it all up perfectly for me, and remembering that
makes it a lot easier to wait for the next chance of being inspired again
by the magic Mary...