Brian Kennedy only had his guitar for accompaniment at this Up Close and Personal Show — but with a voice like his, who needs backing musicians?
This was a relaxed, intimate evening during which Kennedy charmed the audience with his light-hearted chat and wonderful singing.
"I don't have a set list. I'm just going to see how I feel and see what comes to mind," he said near the start.
Many of the songs, among them Curragh of Kildare and Raglan Road, were sentimental reminders of Kennedy's native Ireland. The yearning Silver Hearts On Chains was also memorable.
Raised laughs
Kennedy, who discarded his black jacket and was dressed in jeans and a white shirt, never failed to raise laughs from the crowd at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre in between songs.
He talked of singing in Riverdance in New York, of working with Van Morrison (not as miserable as everyone says) and of Ireland's musical traditions.
"Why for such a wee country have we ended up with so many sad songs?" he said with a grin.
Kennedy asked for requests near the end and there was one track that everyone was waiting for, his signature song You Raise Me Up.
He put down his guitar, climbed off the stage and, standing just a couple of feet away from the front row, began.
His eyes closed and the microphone held a few inches away from his face, he produced a gentle performance of incredible beauty. And then, long after the last notes had been sung, he was in the theatre's lobby signing albums and chatting to his delighted fans.
