The concert.

I am not always a concert person, but this was an exception. I came to Mary Black’s final tour, because she was a singer that my late husband Colin introduced me too. We went to one of her concerts together many years ago, and so it seemed really fitting to come to this concert, as I had so many memories attached to her songs.

I didn’t really know what to expect, but any expectations I had were blown away. Firstly there were the people I met- people from all over the world – from Australia to South Carolina. They were so friendly, and experts on songs, albums, writers, recording companies. I learned so much.

And then there was the concert itself. When we had heard her sing decades ago, her voice was mesmerising, singing songs like ‘Bright Blue Rose’ – with a voice that was so pure, and which soared and glided in such a controlled but modulated way that was electric. Just one song was stunning, never mind a concert ful!

This time, Mary’s voice had changed, and she didn’t have the range she used to have, which you expect as some one gets older. However she had a continued passion and enjoyment in her music, and a reflectiveness about her career, the songs that meant so much, the people she had met along the way, that was so moving. It was such a privilege to be there, and to see Mary sing wth her daughter Roisin, and the amazing musicianship from the band of musicians. It felt like a real family.

And in her songs, one of the themes was to cherish each moment we are given. It was so good to be there, and to remember. My late husband was very unwell for years before his death, and often when I think of him, I think of these difficult times. But at the concert, I remembered how much he liked singing, his appreciation of music, and of his enthusiastic dancing, and they were beautiful memories.

I was so deeply thankful to have attended this concert. It was so emotional, one person reflecting on her musical career, but so many of the audience also reflecting on their lives. It was like we all grew older together.  Memories, tears, thankfulness and joy.

Gracious God, we thank you again for the power of music, to evoke emotion, to inspire, to tell a story. We thank you for singers and musicians who are so gifted in transporting us to a different dimension with their craft, their soul and warmth and vision. The Psalms are your song book, and singing is such a powerful way to express our experiences.  Lord  Jesus, thank you for the gift of music, and the sacred message it can bring, the energy, the comfort, the motivation to give thanks. Holy Spirit, even when we might have felt we have lost our voice for a while, help us rediscover it, and to keep on singing.