Local singer's triumphant performance with Mayo Concert Orchestra

Cultural and tribal rivalries abound. As a child, the only question was..."Are you a Mod or Rocker?" There's the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool and Manchester, not to forget Blur vs Oasis. And locally we have Westport and Castlebar; 18 kilometres between the two but actually miles apart.

As hardened Covey Brian said when opening the evening....there's an invisible line somewhere round Islandeady!
Castlebar- the county town; corporate and functional versus Westport; tourist hotspot, funky, vibrant and trendy. Mr Duffy brought the two towns together tonight.

The Linenhall does Castlebar proud. There's an elegant cosiness to the venue; sunken, comfortable seats and great acoustics aptly suited to live music.

Orchestra in place, Duffy came to the stage; the warm applause peppered with good-natured banter and dare I say it the odd wolf-whistle!

_{Brian Duffy performs with Mayo Concert Orchestra conducted by Anne Moriarty-Martin}

He looked the part; burgundy shirt under a beige fashionably cut jacket as much film director as accomplished musician.
Teddy's Fashions have always been happy to supply Brian with outfits for his concerts; this time with staff member, the warm and engaging Mary, in the audience; huge plug here for the Bridge Street shop, they are beyond kind.

Anne Moriarty-Martin, stepped out of her usual, first violinist role and stepped up seamlessly, by way of her conducting ability, but also in a pair of 8 inch, hot pink platform shoes straight from a Bay City Rollers album cover. Gone were any previous misconceptions of Orchestra personnel being dull, brooding and purely concerned with musical excellence. Led by Anne, there was glamour in the ranks.

This concert cannot be compared to the June event in Westport last year. Literally all parties were in a different place.

If it's not an oxymoron, the whole night had a feel of relaxed intensity. Both singer/songwriter and Orchestra were enjoying themselves, a fact Brian mentioned several times throughout the piece.

Duffy's work reflects the precarious nature of the human condition; positively in terms of hopes and dreams but also via the darker slants of despair and calamity.

'Walk On By' was written in response to a stint as an unsuccessful busker in 'posh' Paris, and, acknowledging his own sensitivity, 'Bit Of Hope' celebrates being in a better place in life.

Throughout there was a great rapport with the audience. Brian's humanity allows him to be warmly loved with everyone there, of all ages to support as much to be entertained.

As a musician and performer he transmits confidence and assurance and is developing all the time.  Lyrically, very strong:  "One more broken mother with one more broken heart" and "Can't let you out of my dreams" are lines that spring to mind but there are so many more.

_{Brian Duffy performing with the Mayo Concert Orchestra}

Midway through the first set we were surprised by an impromptu rendition of 'Happy Birthday' directed at fellow musician and close friend David Matthews who had travelled from Staffordshire in England for the event. As a performer himself, David milked the audience as only a lively octogenarian could!

'Stop Leaving' is a poignant tribute to a very close friend who left us too soon and allowed for reflection on those no longer with us and also in respect of two good friends who were unable to attend due to bereavement. Life is precious.

'Could I Lie To You' examines the relationship Brian had with his mother as she slipped into dementia and 'The Rock' is a eulogy to Rachel Sanders, his partner's mother. Singing 'Gwan' a song about resentment in a positive way, is a skill in itself.

Dancing in the aisles would not have been appropriate this evening, but the standing ovation was. There was a raucous energy in the room as everybody, and I mean everybody clapped along to the more uptempo songs.

Did we have to drag him back on kicking and screaming for an encore? No, but it was a fitting end to a great night.

For someone that loathes the psychobabble of being taken on a journey...we actually were. Around the frailty of the human condition and then out into the rainy Castlebar streets, our lives enriched by the night itself.

Wrapping up, Brian would regard 'Baby Don't You Cry' , a song written about his beautiful young daughter as his signature tune and without doubt is a major hit waiting to be uncovered; as is Brian.

From Westport to Castlebar, he seems to be heading east, so why not a spot on the 'Late, Late, and a perch on the sofa. He'd do it more than justice; and that's just for starters.