Máire Brennan concert in Washington, D.C.





The following was sent in by Mark Jones who saw Máire Brennan on March 15th at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA:

What a wonderful show! The play list included tunes from Clannad's first album right up the Landmarks and Perfect Time. Even nearing the end of her current tour her voice held up beautifully, my wife remarking how good she sounded live as opposed to her recording voice. Maire was in great spirits and obviously had a good rapport with the rest of the band. I have seen Maire twice before at Clannad concerts in in Poole, England, and would have to say the Birchmere venue was a much more intimate place which suited her better I think. Later talking to her she was kind enough to say that they "had some great gigs in Poole" and although those crowds were over a thousand the two to three hundred people at the Birchmere more than made up for it. During the show she talked some about her spiritual influences on the current album but was very careful not to preach, and I think her spirtituality came across in the the relevant music. There were of course many "fun" songs and the word "lotto" will never be the same again! Only minutes after the show she came out to greet the fans and was gracious to all there. She is quite a lady. She mentioned that she hoped to be back soon, which I take to mean that she or Clannad will have a new album out soon and will be touring again. I have always been touched by "Heal This Land" and I found her rendition of it last night to be very moving, and as an Englishman felt compelled to apologise for "what England had done to Ireland." To which she replied that I "didn't have to do that" as "who knows who first started it" and then extended hope for the future. Let's hope "Heal This Land" becomes an Anthem for the peace process now underway.

It was a privilege to be at the show and meet Maire.

Mark Jones

Thanks to Mark for filling us in on the concert on March 15th just over the river from Washington, D.C. in Alexandria, VA. Anyone else have reactions to the shows? Please be free to send them to the Unofficial Clannad News Page and we'll include them on the page.

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Atlantic Records' Official Clannad Web Site

Word Records' Official Máire Brennan Web Site

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