A number of years ago I put in place a “consumable only” rule for gifts for me. I had far too much STUFF already, and while I love the gifts my family gives me, I didn’t really want to have to deal with anything else. Consumables, however, fall into a broad category that includes books, music, gardening items, and things that pertain to these. That means the lovely stainless steel shovel I got on Christmas counts as a consumable. I know. I know. I’m stretching the point, but it works so don’t knock it.
A number of years ago I was a writer/photographer for a small weekly entertainment newspaper in Lubbock. One of the first “assignments” I had was to interview an Irish singer coming to perform. It was the start of what is turning into a nearly ten year love affair. I was smitten. Not only was he charming and funny but his music touched my soul in ways that few others have.
This man who has stolen my heart is Anthony Kearns, one of the Irish Tenors. I have heard him perform as a solo twice and in concert with Finbar Wright and Karl Scully. A fourth tenor, Ronan Tynan, was part of the original three but left to perform on his own. I got to hear him last year as a gift from my daughter during a particularly trying time in my life (radiation treatment for breast cancer). I’ve loved each one I’ve attended.
This year’s consumable gift was tickets to a Holiday Special concert performed by the tenors with Ronan Tynan returning to the fold (replacing Karl Scully). I went expecting to like it as much as I’ve liked the others. I didn’t expect to come away enchanted. It was as if all the parts came together to make this the most memorable concert imaginable. I hadn’t realized what a difference it would make to have Ronan Tynan rejoin the group. It did. The three voices merged, reinforcing each other in a way that transported the listener. I found myself closing my eyes just to let the sound flow around me.
Watching the three perform together is as more than a musical experience. It is also fun. If they don’t enjoy singing together, they surely do disguise it well because it seemed as if they were enjoying singing together as much as I was listening to them. Adding to that was a really fine orchestra. Even for one such as I, who does not have a highly refined “ear,” their music seemed wonderful and alive.
What surprised me the most was how much I loved hearing the tenors sing modern Christmas songs (hardly carols since these would not be sung in church) such as Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Jingle Bell Rock. Musicians that can take songs such as these which have been sung so many times that they are more clichés than music and then make them special obviously can handle music of a higher caliber. I’m actually hoping I can get a recording of both of these sung by the tenors because the songs have taken on a whole new importance to me. I now know they are wonderful songs when sung by talented artists.
Adding to the evening was the knowledge that President George H Bush and Barbara were in the audience sharing all this with us. I’m sure they came away with the same feeling I did. It was an unforgettable night of lovely music. I’m still spellbound with the notes continuing to fill my soul. An amazing gift, for sure.
Susan E L Lake 
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