The passing of time has done nothing to dull the talent of these Irishmen, absolutely sensational
Embarking on what is being dubbed as their farewell tour, The Fureys took to The Beacon stage and reminded everyone why this theatre included the word legends in the title of this show. With stories as well as songs, these talented Irishmen provided a full rundown of their 48 years as a group.
It is truly astonishing the level of quality this band are still able to play to. If 48 years in the business didn’t give it away, these are not young men, as they acknowledge themselves. They perform as if time hasn’t grazed them and to call what they do a gift would not be overselling anything. It’s not just their singing abilities, which are stellar but their abilities as musicians which sincerely amaze. The speed and intensity with which they play defies logic. The skill with which they apply their craft is not only wonderful to hear, it’s a sight to behold it. It really has to be seen to be believed and blew the audience away. There were moments throughout the evening where the floor was actually vibrating from everyone tapping their feet simultaneously.
Many of the hits from their back catalogue made it into the mix such as The Red Rose Café and The Grand Affair to great success. They also sang some of their well-known covers such as Leezy Lindsay, originally written by Robert Burns and even closed with Wild Mountain Thyme, giving the Scottish audience a taste of music from home. The Green Fields of France, a song popularized by the group, was a pensive, emotional moment and deeply moving. Eddie Furey had everyone singing along during Steal Away and From Clare To Here was one of the most beautiful musically. A personal favourite was The Old Man which really struck a chord as George Furey sang of a father/son relationship, the father having passed but how the “memories linger on”. Sweet and sentimental, this was a lovely moment in the early stage of this concert.
The Fureys also treated us to many sections that were purely instrumental and this is where their abilities as musicians shined out the most. These were often fast and furious, gaining momentum and intensity which each passing second. It was as if the 5 of them were in contest with one another, trying to see who could play the fastest. If it was a contest, accordion player Camillus Hiney probably stole the crown. How his fingers were able to move at that speed is a mystery. Perhaps the best moment of the entire night was instrumental and funnily enough, the calmest of all. The piece in question was The Lonesome Boatman. Beautiful, mysterious, enthralling, it felt as if everyone was on a journey together to some distant land. The tin whistle especially helped to create that affect. It was, unquestionably, a standout moment.
Overall, this was an incredible evening! The Fureys are indeed legends of Irish music and this was a testament to that. The band has touched many and it was felt in the audience through their cheers and every song they joined in with. There’s something about Irish music that makes you feel it in your bones, makes people feel present and The Fureys did that.