DESPITE A POOR TURNOUT IN BRAY, ROBERTS TAKES US ON A MAGICAL TOUR DOWN THE COUNTRY ROAD OF JOHN DENVER'S LEGACY

The late John Denver is a multi award winner and no.1 selling singer song writer, who graced the shores and stages of the Emerald Isle on numerous occasions during his prolific fifty four years on the planet. Tragically in 1997 he was killed when his plane crashed off the California coast.

 Coincidentally that was the same year that that a little known Irish singer songwriter proudly represented his country in the Eurovision Song contest. The Mayo born Marc Roberts came second with “Mysterious Woman”.  Fifteen years on he’s touring with his one man show   'A Tribute to the Music of John Denver'.  I saw him on the latest leg of the tour at the Mermaid Arts centre in Bray last Saturday.

Everyone will know at least one John Denver song, whether its Leaving On a Jet Plane or Annie’s Song. But when Marc takes you on this multi media trip through the life of Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. you will discover a lot more of his hits that you probably never realized where penned by him. I rediscovered a couple that I’d forgotten about like Shanghai Breezes, as well as the very foot tapping and happy clappy numbers, Thank God I’m a Country Boy and Grandma’s Feather Bed. Other numbers included in the show are Calypso, which was inspired by the boat of the late French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, as well as other favourites such as Rocky Mountain High and Take Me Home Country Roads.

Due to an illness in the promoter’s office, according Marc, midway through the gig. The show was only advertised in the upcoming events booklet distributed by the Mermaid. There was a very small audience,  basically only the first three rows were full, as a result of which I felt sorry for Marc, with a larger crowd the Sing-along’s would have been more enthusiastic.

But don’t let that take away from the show which  was great and made even more enjoyable by the spectacular shots of the Rocky Mountains, Denver’s Spiritual home, which along with the songs and Marc’s amazing voice and easy going description of Johns life, helped transport us  away from the almost Siberian  Easter weekend outside the theatre.

We learned that before hitting the big time Marc sang John Denver songs at weddings and a couple of years before the singers death he met him in Dublin and that he’s actually done this show in Denver, in front of John’s relatives and friends gaining their full support. Marc has to date released three albums the most recent being The Promise. His day job is a presenter on Galway FM and he’s a good friend of a mentor to Daniel O’Donnell.

The Show Continues with Dates at Galway on the 5^th May and the National Concert hall on the 1^st of November. Although according Marc’s website www.marcroberts.ie more dates will be announced.