National Concert Hall in Dublin last night - Bobby McFerrin. Recommended to me by a fellow chorister who said he got the entire auditorium singing Gounod's Ave Maria the last time he was in Dublin.Robbie, a bodhrán player, and Liam Ó Maonlaí performed with him on stage as well as a dancer from the audience and a mini random choir of people. Liam was well able for him - like an Irish version of Bobby! with his diddle-ee-i-dee-dum-do-dorum.
When he came back for an encore, Bobby suggested we could ask him questions. It was fun but the one that hit home for me, and it was asked jokingly and answered earnestly - "What is the meaning of life". The answer Mr McFerrin gave: "To find God. Well, that's the goal, the meaning... life is the journey, it's about getting there. It's a step away, a small step". I'm paraphrasing, obviously I didn't record him. But that's what I got out of what he said.
It was beautiful at the concert. I was very tearful and tired and pressurised just before it, I might have cancelled but during and afterwards I felt fantastic, relaxed, at peace with the good things and the good people and the fun of life. And music, singing, which I love.
He seemed a very gentle, humble, generous man.
The lights were dimmed in the concert hall, it was very atmospheric. Maybe we should do that for the Messiah performances this Christmas...
